Morgan Gulisano, a 2018 graduate of Appalachian State University, is leading operations for a team of artists and designers at the Olympic and Paralympic Games, according to a March 20 announcement from the university. As creative manager for New York-based company On Location, Gulisano oversees the design and creation of hospitality spaces at major international sporting events.
Gulisano’s role involves managing creative workflows and coordinating with various stakeholders including the Olympic Organizing Committees and the International Olympic Committee. She has contributed to space designs at both the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics as well as the recent 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. “It was incredible, complicated, challenging, rewarding work, and I can’t wait to do it again,” Gulisano said.
Her responsibilities include designing lounges, suites within sporting venues, off-venue installations featuring educational elements, cultural features, and historical artifacts such as a collection of 72 historical Olympic Winter Games medals displayed in collaboration with the Olympic Museum in Switzerland. “Every day is a little different, but you’ll usually find me busy connecting the dots in one way or another,” she said.
Gulisano credits her education at Appalachian State University for providing critical skills in photography as well as production workflow management. She encourages current students: “Do everything! Make friends, join a club, try something new.” She added: “Get to know your faculty and learn as much as you can while you have the opportunity. App State is such a special place…”
Appalachian State University features campuses spanning 1,200 acres with facilities designed for academic, residential and recreational use according to its official website. The university serves more than 21,000 students through undergraduate and graduate programs according to its official website, extends its reach through campuses in Boone and Hickory along with online programs according to its official website, belongs to the University of North Carolina System according to its official website, aims to prepare students for global citizenship focused on sustainability according to its official website, and has earned national recognition for academics from outlets such as U.S. News & World Report according to its official website.
Looking ahead after her work on recent games in Italy concluded successfully—highlighted by historic medal displays—Gulisano has begun preparing for an even larger program planned for Los Angeles during the upcoming 2028 Olympics.
