Our personal experiences are best expressed by the art and the stories we share. From paintings and songs to literature, games, and film, the themes and methods we use to communicate, distinguish, and connect us. 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 committed to using art and storytelling as mediums for connecting people on emotional and intellectual levels. By embracing technology, I strive to inspire change, transform learning, and cultivate inclusive, connected communities. I've been an "art kid" my entire life. From creating comic books in class to sculpting monsters for haunted attractions and working as a cinematographer, I express myself through art and visual storytelling. For me, these mediums are about sharing perspectives in ways that are thought-provoking and accessible while exposing people to narratives beyond their own.

Currently, I am looking for a program that combines my love and expertise in fine art methodologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and exploration of the intersection of technology and art for social impact. My background in media production, education, leadership, and DEI-centered curriculum design has prepared me to make meaningful contributions to a research community. I am particularly excited about collaborating with faculty whose work in comics and animation aligns with my interest in sequential narratives. Those whose exploration of storytelling and media representation focus on connecting art-making and education to foster storytelling that bridges personal experiences with broader cultural conversations. Animation, performance, and participatory culture inspire me. That kind of work represents the kind of boundary-pushing artistry I want to explore.

I've built a career at the intersection of art, education, and technology. At Full Sail University, I helped develop the Digital Cinematography Bachelor of Science degree, one of the first distance-learning filmmaking programs to provide professional equipment to students. This curriculum combined technical training and creative experimentation to prepare students for an evolving media landscape. As Dean of Education at Compass College of Film and Media, I transitioned a campus-based program online during the COVID-19 pandemic, creating an ACCSC-accredited bachelor's program that emphasized emerging technologies and independent artistry. I also worked on The Daily Buzz, a national morning show aired in over 180 markets, in roles such as camera operator, satellite uplink technician, and weather graphics producer, developing a robust understanding of collaboration, live production, and technical adaptability.

Emergent technology constantly evolves how we create art and tell stories. My work on diverse independent projects like The Daily Buzz and Blood Widow shaped my approach to collaboration and creative experimentation. My current work includes creating immersive portraits that convey a subject's core identity, developing workflows to support neurodivergent and underserved creators, and crafting transmedia storytelling frameworks for small teams. These projects embody my dedication to shifting perspectives, uplifting marginalized voices, and sparking impactful dialogue through creative expression.

I aim to explore how artists and storytellers can use emergent technologies to create ethical, creatively produced, socially impactful experiences. My research will involve creating transmedia art and narrative experiences that serve as case studies on how independent artists, particularly those with neurodivergence or underserved voices, can leverage technology to push boundaries while maintaining artistic integrity.

Upon completing my PhD, I plan to deepen my contribution to academia and the media arts industry by creating socially engaged art that bridges audiences and embraces technology as an extension of art, capable of building connections and amplifying voices. That aligns with my focus on creative expression methodologies and the transformative potential of art to inspire social change.  I aim to use those works to integrate applied research commercialization for artists, seeking ways to create sustainable funding pathways, inspire private-sector collaboration, and join the ranks of a research institution.

I believe that diversity, equity, and inclusion are critical to learning and our shared human existence, both in the classroom and in the community. My commitment to DEI-driven, people-centered artistic expression and education reflects my broader interest in how media and technology can serve as vehicles for social change. Throughout my career, I have collaborated with faculty to infuse DEI perspectives across the curriculum, guiding instructors on culturally responsive teaching practices that respect and amplify diverse voices. This included incorporating LBTQIA+, women, and minority-driven stories, powered by those filmmakers, into coursework and displayed with equal recognition. This experience strengthened my belief that technology and media arts can democratize education and storytelling to empower marginalized communities by making their narratives a societal norm and helping to create cultural competency that accepts and respects those cultures and communities.

As the Dean of Education at Compass College of Film and Media, a traditionally conservative Christian college, I led the integration of DEI values across the curriculum, working closely with faculty to develop culturally responsive teaching practices involving positive communication and actionable techniques on empathy for intersectionality issues. This approach allowed instructors to encourage and promote students from various backgrounds, fostering an environment where students felt empowered to share their unique perspectives. This led to the first on-screen kiss by same-sex actors in the college's history and the first Capstone project with above-the-line talent filled by women and minorities. By prioritizing cultural competency, accessibility, and inclusivity, I sought to break down barriers and create an academic experience where every student felt seen, valued, and supported.

At Full Sail University, I continue this work by helping to create multimedia training modules that equip faculty with the tools to implement DEI-centered teaching practices. My focus includes leveraging emergent technologies to foster immersive learning environments that encourage students to explore global perspectives and develop a deeper appreciation for diverse cultural narratives. By guiding faculty to utilize interactive technologies and personalized approaches, I help bridge gaps between students and educators while fostering empathy and understanding.

My connection to DEI extends beyond the classroom to my personal journey. I was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety, and depression when I was between forty-four and forty-seven. My journey is littered with unfinished drawings, films I never made, characters in Act Two, and stories that will never be heard. Having a similar experience made me more deeply connected, and it deepened my understanding, ability to communicate and translate, and empathy for my fellow creators and students. 

I am deeply passionate about the utilization of social equity to create a better social equality by amplifying underrepresented and underserved voices. Through my research, I hope to investigate how artists work and storytelling can be designed to promote inclusivity and representation in educational settings and the community, especially those in varied economic areas. CU Boulder's focus on the intersection of media art, technology, and social impact will provide a strong platform to expand my DEI efforts and deepen my understanding of how media and art can serve as a tool for communication and normalization.

Throughout my roles as Dean, Faculty member, Faculty Trainer, and Department Chair, I have championed and actively supported DEI initiatives that promote diversity, equity, equality, and inclusion in academic and professional spaces. I strive to make education and storytelling a transformative experience for all. Moving forward, I will continue to foster and work with others to ensure safe, inclusive, student-centered environments that reflect and celebrate diverse identities, allowing storytellers to tell stories that are meaningful to them and their communities.

As I pursue my PhD, I look forward to collaborating with like-minded faculty and students in advancing DEI values. The research I plan to focus on will examine this intersection, examining how emergent technologies, visual storytelling, and art can be designed and implemented to promote equity and inclusion in educational, professional, and community settings.

My hope is to contribute to a culture that supports diverse voices and perspectives, empowering students and storytellers to engage with art and media in a critical and empathetic way. Through education, storytelling, and technology, I am committed to fostering a more inclusive and reflective media landscape that allows every individual's story to be heard with the respect it deserves.