Our personal experiences are best expressed through the art and stories we share. From paintings and songs to literature, games, and film, the themes and methods we use to communicate help us connect, understand, and grow together. My journey has brought me to the intersection of art, story, and education. A path I’ve walked as an artist, educator, and storyteller.

I am currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Game Art at Full Sail University, where I am building expertise in 3D modeling, animation, texturing, lighting, and environment design through project-based coursework that mirrors professional studio pipelines. This program strengthens my ability to translate complex ideas into immersive, interactive experiences and deepens my appreciation for how even the smallest visual detail can shape a player’s emotional and intellectual engagement.

Throughout my career, I have sought to use art and storytelling as mediums for building understanding across different perspectives. I believe that creative work becomes most powerful when it includes voices and stories that might otherwise go unheard. Whether developing educational programs, mentoring emerging artists, or collaborating on independent productions, I strive to foster environments where diverse viewpoints are respected, creativity is accessible, and collaboration thrives.

Previously, I helped develop the Digital Cinematography Bachelor of Science degree at Full Sail University, one of the first distance-learning filmmaking programs to provide professional production equipment to students. As Dean of Education at Compass College of Film and Media, I led the creation of an accredited bachelor’s program and successfully transitioned an on-campus curriculum to an online format during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing emerging technologies and creative autonomy. I have also worked in professional broadcast environments, including The Daily Buzz, gaining deep experience in live production, collaboration, and technical adaptability.

Emergent technologies continue to reshape how we create art and tell stories. My current projects include developing immersive portraits that convey a subject’s core identity, creating workflows to support neurodivergent and underserved creators, and crafting transmedia storytelling frameworks for small teams. These projects reflect my commitment to using creativity as a catalyst to shift perspectives, encourage empathy, and spark meaningful dialogue.

I believe that learning environments thrive when students see their identities, experiences, and perspectives reflected and respected. My approach to education and creative work centers on people, on fostering environments where every learner feels valued, supported, and empowered to share their voice. I view media and technology as powerful tools for broadening perspectives and encouraging understanding across cultural lines.

Throughout my career, I have worked with faculty and curriculum teams to embed culturally responsive and student-centered practices into teaching. This has included incorporating stories from creators and artists from historically underrepresented communities into coursework, ensuring their contributions are presented with equal recognition. Working closely with faculty and stakeholders from multiple groups and organizations, we developed strategies for positive communication, empathy-building, and representation. By focusing on cultural competency, accessibility, and representation, we cultivated a creative space where students felt safe exploring stories beyond their own perspectives. These efforts helped normalize a wider range of voices and gave students permission to tell authentic stories rooted in their own identities and lived experiences.

At Full Sail University, I have helped develop multimedia training modules that give faculty practical tools to integrate inclusive teaching practices. I focus on using interactive technologies to help students explore global viewpoints, fostering creativity while encouraging empathy and cultural understanding.

My passion for this work is also shaped by my personal journey. I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression later in life, which has made me deeply empathetic to students navigating neurodivergence, invisible challenges, or feelings of disconnection. My experiences have strengthened my ability to communicate, to listen, and to build supportive environments where all creators feel they belong.

Currently, as a student in the Game Art B.S. program at Full Sail University, I continue to explore how emerging technologies, visual storytelling, and collaborative learning can lower barriers for underserved and underrepresented creators. I aim to create educational spaces that not only teach skills but also empower students to share meaningful stories from their own communities.

My ongoing goal is to contribute to a culture of creative learning where diverse perspectives are not an exception, but a natural part of the landscape, where every student can see that their story matters, and where art and technology are used to bring those stories to life.