My Teaching

Assistant Professor · Game & Interactive Media Design · Rider University

Aug. 2022-Present

I currently teach as a full-time faculty member in the Game & Interactive Media Design program at Rider University. My courses focus on game design and development, playtesting and prototyping, programming and digital media, interactive storytelling, and the history and culture of games. My teaching duties include leading classes, development of course syllabi, production of course materials, evaluation of student work, responding to student questions and concerns, advising students on course registration, and providing regular office hours. In addition to teaching, my current scholarly projects include a series of fantasy novels, a code library for students and teachers of game programming, and a student-powered game review database (view an early proof of concept). To provide further value to the university, I help coordinate events such as student game jams and recruit at open house events and admitted student days. I am also a member of Rider's Academic Integrity Committee, chair of the university's faculty writing group, and advisor to the Esports Club.

ART-120: Art and Society

Fall 2026

Art and Society explores the role of art in contemporary culture and the impact of art in our daily lives. Students will devise a working definition of art in terms of both traditional and contemporary forms, and study contemporary forms of art such as film, music, and interactive media such as games through written work, verbal discussion, and hands-on practice.

ART-150: Digital Foundations

Spring 2023, Spring 2024-Fall 2024, Fall 2025-Fall 2026

Digital Foundations provides an introduction in the use of industry standard tools and methods employed in the field of digital art and design. Basic concepts of composition, form, texture, value, and color in two-dimensional design are explored. A focus is placed on 2D rendering with contemporary tools, as well as underlying theory and critique.

ART-352: Motion Graphics

Spring 2024, Spring 2026

The Motion Graphics course provides an introduction in the use of industry standard tools and methods employed in motion and animation design. Concepts of composition, form, style and continuity of motion are key. A focus is placed on 2D rendering with contemporary tools, as well as underlying theory and critique. Consideration of cross-media techniques utilized in game design, streaming media, film, and television is highlighted.

FTV-135: Filmmaking I

Spring 2025

Filmmaking I introduces students to basic film and television production theories, techniques, and applications. Students gain competency in a number of production areas including composition, lighting, filmic storytelling, sound, production planning, and editing. As well as gaining practical production experience, students are also introduced to basic art theory in relation to composition and visual storytelling.

GAM-120: Intro to Game Logic

Fall 2024-Fall 2026

Intro to Game Logic introduces students to strategies for technical implementation of digital games. Students learn programming techniques and design patterns for popular genres and formats through small game development projects and problem-solving exercises. Weekly lessons include a mix of technical demonstration and lab time for help and troubleshooting.

GAM-150: Intro to Game Studies

Fall 2022-Fall 2023, Fall 2024, Fall 2026

Intro to Game Studies examines the nature and potential of games as an interactive medium. Through writing, discussion, research, oral presentation, and hands-on projects, students explore the role of play in human culture and how the structure of games can offer uniquely meaningful experiences. Students will gain a conceptual framework for how games construct individuated meaning and inspect noteworthy games and game genres to study how they enable human expression.

GAM-200: Game Design

Fall 2022-Fall 2024

Game Design explores the theory and practice of creating games, with an emphasis on prototyping and playtesting. Students learn the fundamentals of design and experience the iterative process firsthand through small, themed prototyping projects and in-class playtesting. Students reflect in writing on their findings from playtesting and revision, compile a journal of their own meaningful gaming experiences, and analyze games as rule-based systems through hands-on workshops, discussions, and assignments.

GAM-310: Special Topics in Game Design – Interactive Narrative Design

Fall 2022, Spring 2025

Interactive Narrative Design explores processes and technologies related to the development of non-linear and interactive storytelling, as used in game design and experimental media. Students individually create interactive stories through digital media applications and work in teams to produce an alternate reality game.

GAM-310: Special Topics in Game Design – Historical Case Studies

Fall 2023

This course examines historically successful video game franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, and others to distill what makes them great. Students analyze and critique design strategies used in these games and construct an original game concept informed by their findings.

GAM-401: Game Workshop I

Fall 2025

The Game Workshop courses are designed to give participants a “real world” understanding of the digital game production process from a product’s inception to its public release. While learning the methods, tools, and techniques used by game development teams, students work in teams to create a digital game, test it, market it, and release it to the public. Aspects of design, aesthetic, interface, monetization, and social and cultural context are all considered. The fall semester focuses on conceptualization and pre-production.

GAM-402: Game Workshop II

Spring 2024, Spring 2026

The Game Workshop courses are designed to give participants a “real world” understanding of the digital game production process from a product’s inception to its public release. While learning the methods, tools, and techniques used by game development teams, students work in teams to create a digital game, test it, market it, and release it to the public. Aspects of design, aesthetic, interface, monetization, and social and cultural context are all considered. The spring semester focuses on the bulk of development, as well as QA and release.

Adjunct Professor · Design and Creative Technology · The College of New Jersey

Aug. 2014-May 2022

During my time at The College of New Jersey, I taught courses related to digital media, web development, and game design and development. My duties included the development of course syllabi, evaluation of student work, regular correspondence with students regarding any questions or concerns, and maintenance of online course materials through Canvas.

AAV 255: Web I

Spring 2022

Web I introduces students to the front-end technologies for creating web pages: HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students complete targeted exercises each week reinforcing the programming concepts covered in class, working toward the end goal of creating a personal portfolio page. Students also explore UI/UX design principles and concepts related to hosting websites online. My duties for this class included performing demonstrations, preparing coding examples, and helping students with debugging.

IMM 110: Introduction to Digital Media

Fall 2015-Fall 2021

Introduction to Digital Media introduces students to an array of digital media tools and techniques, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe XD, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe After Effects, Adobe Audition, Audacity, GarageBand, and Logic Pro, through in-class demonstrations, discussions, and exercises.

IMM 270: Game Studies and Design

Fall 2020, Fall 2021

Game Studies and Design explores games as an interactive medium. I facilitated students’ development and playtesting of physical and digital game prototypes, and led discussions regarding game design principles and strategies, students’ evaluation of games, and the potential for games to convey meaning. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I adapted this course to a remote format through Zoom during the Fall 2020 semester.

IMM 271: The Legend of Zelda as a Case Study in Game Design

Spring 2020

I proposed and developed the curriculum for a four-session mini course exploring strong game design practices using the Legend of Zelda series as a focal point. My duties included leading weekly discussions and facilitating students’ development of original game concepts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, I adapted this course to a remote format through Zoom.

IMM 360: Games I – Design and Architecture

Fall 2014

Utilized a process-oriented approach to game design and development in which students explored their concepts in a hands-on manner, through physical and digital prototyping, playtesting, and iteration. Led and facilitated class discussions about the broader cultural impact of games to provide a meaningful context for student endeavors.

IMM 460: Games II – Implementation

Spring 2015, Spring 2022

Games II treats the semester as a condensed game development cycle, placing students on small interdisciplinary teams to create a complete digital game. Programmers, artists, musicians, and writers all work together to execute an original game concept, with an emphasis on iterative playtesting, interpersonal dynamics, project management, and creative problem solving. In this class, my role was comparable to that of the producer or project manager – I met with each team regularly to discuss progress, facilitate discussions between team members, resolve conflicts, prioritize the most essential tasks, offer suggestions, playtest, and debug. I also met with students individually at four times during the semester to ensure they are progressing according to their personal learning goals and the team's goals for the project.

Adjunct Faculty · Digital Media Arts · Mercer County Community College

Jan. 2022-Aug. 2022

I taught a remote course during the Spring 2022 Semester and taught the same course in person during the Summer 2022 Term. My duties included an increased emphasis on correspondence with students through Blackboard and MS Teams.

DMA 144: Internet Tools and Techniques

Spring 2022, Summer 2022

Internet Tools and Techniques introduces students to concepts related to web design and development. Students use digital media tools such as Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe XD to create design deliverables such as logos, style tiles, wireframes, and mockups before coding a web page using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. Students also learn about the history of the Internet and concepts related to networking.

My Work

Consultant · Children's Technology Review

Aug. 2022-Present

After starting as a full-time faculty member at Rider University, I moved into an advisory role with CTR. I am currently working on a new version of the site.

Chief Technology Officer · Children's Technology Review

Sep. 2019-Aug. 2022

Led development and maintenance of an online review database for children's interactive media products. Core responsibilities included utilizing HTML, PHP, CSS, and JavaScript for the front-end, while managing the back-end schema of our FileMaker Pro databases to build a forum for parents, teachers, librarians, and curators of children’s media. Took on a variety of additional duties spanning across all areas of the business, including regular correspondence with the Chief Editor regarding the website UI/UX, automating business processes through FileMaker Pro scripting and layout design, performance of regular server maintenance, creation of visual assets for website UI using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, management of the business' blog content through WordPress, and integration of registration forms for annual conferences held by the organization.

Promoted from Director of Web Publishing, Aug. 2019.

Director of Web Publishing · Children's Technology Review

Sep. 2013-Aug. 2019

Managed company web presence through the integration of web services such as MailChimp, WordPress, and social media with FileMaker Pro databases. Created eBooks using iBooks Author and iTunes Producer and managed sales in iTunes Connect. Worked with tools such as EZregister, Eventbrite, and PayPal in order to facilitate registration for annual conferences hosted by our organization. Managed company finances through QuickBooks. Created an online review database for children's interactive media products, utilizing the FileMaker PHP API, along with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.

Promoted from Editorial Assistant, Sep. 2013.

Editorial Assistant · Children's Technology Review

Feb. 2013-Sep. 2013

Scouted and tested new iOS app releases, produced video reviews using iMovie, managed company YouTube channel and WordPress site, wrote analysis pieces featured in company’s publication.

Promoted to Director of Web Publishing, Sep. 2013.

Interaction Designer · Connected Sports Ventures

Summer 2012

Worked on the visual design of the interface for an iPad application in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, contributed to experience design in team discussions, and performed quality assurance tasks such as testing and bug filing.

Lead Experience Designer · kindworks · Entertainment Technology Center

Spring 2012

Designed the game mechanics and Web features for a mixed-reality experience geared towards encouraging generosity in correspondence with the Linden Foundation of Quakertown, PA. Managed project goals and organized tasks and schedule on a development team of six.

Level Designer and Sound Designer · seAker · Entertainment Technology Center

Fall 2011

Designed game levels, produced game music and sound effects, and maintained the project’s promotional Web site as part of a three-person team to design and develop a physics-based exploration game on the iPad.

Sound Designer · The Alice Project · Carnegie Mellon University

Summer 2011

Composed five one- to two-minute musical tracks and created approximately 400 sound effects to be used as stock media for Alice, a program developed by Carnegie Mellon University to teach programming principles to high-school students.

Game Designer and Composer · Aero's Quest · Entertainment Technology Center

Spring 2011

Led the overall game and level design as part of a six-person team working to develop an adventure game for the Android aimed at utilizing child exercise data for client Bodymedia, Inc. in Pittsburgh, PA. Held requirements gathering meetings with client, drafted a design document, pitched design prototype, and composed game music.