From Hollywood to the UTA classroom
Accomplished television director and filmmaker Rachel Raimist recently joined The University of Texas at Arlington as the Morgan Woodward Distinguished Professor of Film and Video in the Department of Art and Art History. An active director whose credits include Elsbeth, Bel-Air, The Spiderwick Chronicles, Sex/Life, Queen Sugar and numerous other television series, Raimist brings decades of experience in Hollywood and higher education to UTA.
As North Texas continues to expand its film and television industry, Raimist sees an opportunity to help students connect what they learn in the classroom with careers in filmmaking, television and digital media. She also hopes to build partnerships with the region's growing creative community while preparing students to thrive in an evolving industry.
Related: UTA names Hollywood director to film professorship
In this Q&A, Raimist discusses what drew her to UTA, how her work as an active television director shapes her teaching and what she hopes students take away from their time in her classroom.
What drew you to UTA, and what excites you most about joining the Department of Art and Art History at this point in your career?
Raimist: I value UTA’s commitment to students, the energy of the Dallas–Fort Worth creative community and the momentum the university has right now. It feels like a place that’s growing and evolving, and that’s exciting to me. I am here to contribute my talent, insights and industry connections to the growth of the local creative community.
I’m especially excited about joining the Department of Art and Art History because of the opportunity to work with students who have diverse backgrounds and career goals. I love helping students discover their strengths, build confidence in their stories and hone their skills. It’s especially fulfilling when I can help support new creatives and help connect what they’re learning in the classroom to opportunities beyond campus.
At this stage in my career, I’m looking for a creative and collaborative environment where I can bring my professional experience into the classroom and the local film community and help build meaningful partnerships in North Texas. With the region becoming such an important center for media and entertainment, it feels like an exciting time to be at UTA. I think there’s a real opportunity to prepare students not just to graduate, but to step directly into an industry that’s growing in their own backyard, and that’s something I’m excited to be part of.
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North Texas is becoming an increasingly important center for film and television production. How do you see that growth creating new opportunities for UTA students, and how do you hope to help prepare them for careers in the industry?
Raimist: North Texas is at an exciting point as film and television production continues to expand in the region, creating opportunities that simply didn’t exist a decade ago. As more productions, studios and creative companies invest in our local creative economy, our students have greater access to internships, on-set experiences, industry partnerships and career pathways without having to relocate to traditional production hubs.
I see my role as helping students bridge the gap between the classroom and the professional world. That means creating learning experiences that reflect current industry practices, connecting students with working professionals and encouraging collaboration across disciplines such as film, media, storytelling, innovation, technology and business. I also want students to understand that success in this industry depends not only on creative talent but also on professionalism, having an entrepreneurial spirit, being adaptable, having good communication and working well as a crew.
Most importantly, I hope to help students build the confidence and practical experience they need to thrive. By combining strong technical and creative foundations with meaningful industry engagement, we can prepare graduates who are ready to contribute to North Texas’ growing creative economy while also being competitive in the broader film and television industry.
What do you hope students take away from your classes and mentorship, both creatively and professionally?
Raimist: Students will leave my classes with more than just technical skills. Of course, I want them to become stronger filmmakers, artists, media-makers and storytellers, but I also want them to develop confidence in their own creative voice and the ability to think critically about their work and the work of others.
Professionally, I hope they understand what it means to be innovative, flexible and a reliable collaborator. The creative industries are built on relationships, communication, problem-solving and adaptability just as much as talent. I want students to leave feeling prepared to work on a set, in a studio or on a creative team with the professionalism and work ethic that will take them far in their creative and professional lives.
As a mentor, I also want students to know that their careers don’t have to follow one traditional path. There are many ways to build a meaningful career in the arts, and part of my role is helping them recognize opportunities, navigate challenges and build the confidence to pursue their own pathways. If students leave my classes feeling more curious, more resilient and more willing to take creative risks while supporting the people around them, then I feel like I’ve done my job well.
You're actively directing television while also teaching and mentoring emerging filmmakers. How does continuing to work in the industry shape the way you teach?
Raimist: For me, my teaching and my directing work really inform and complement each other. My experience allows me to bring real-world production examples to engage student learning. My experience allows me to bring real-world production examples to engage student learning. Additionally, continuing to work in television and being an active leader at the Directors Guild of America (DGA), keeps me connected to how the industry and technology are evolving. I have my finger on the pulse of everything from changes in production workflows and new technologies to shifting audience expectations and tools to help increase an independent filmmaker’s creativity, efficiency and production costs.
I think students appreciate learning from someone who is actively working in the field because they can see how the concepts we discuss actually play out in professional productions. I often share practical insights about creative problem-solving, leadership and navigating the realities of deadlines, budgets and working with diverse teams.
At the same time, teaching makes me a better director. Students ask thoughtful questions that challenge me to see things from new perspectives, and their creativity and curiosity are genuinely inspiring. The classroom is a place where ideas can be explored without the pressures of production, and that perspective often carries back into my own work.
Ultimately, I want students to see that learning is a lifelong process. Even after years in the industry, I’m still learning on every project, adapting to new challenges, and collaborating with others. I hope modeling that mindset encourages students to stay curious, keep growing and approach their careers with both confidence and humility.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.