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From landmark film and video game credits to award-winning scientific research, the accomplishments of our faculty are extensive and diverse. Read all about their stories and accomplishments.

DigiPen Welcomes New Full-Time Faculty and Academic Affairs Staff

Faculty

We’d like to recognize the latest full-time faculty and take a closer look at their diverse backgrounds in games, education, and more.

A filled DigiPen branded coffee cup sits next to an open notebook and laptop

DigiPen Graduate-Turned-Professor Pat Jandro Teaches Mocap to Dragons (and Dogs)

Faculty

In his Advanced Physicality in Animation course, Jandro suits up and distills a decade of motion capture experience for students.

Pat Jandro poses next to a large potted plant in front of a bay door.

Senior Lecturer Bill Morrison’s Top 5 Star Wars Video Games

Faculty

DigiPen’s senior game design lecturer and resident Star Wars aficionado breaks down his picks for the five best games set in a galaxy far, far away.

An X-Wing fighter and other Rebel Alliance ships sit in a hangar

Meet the Newest Full-Time Faculty Who Joined the Ranks of DigiPen in 2021-22

Faculty

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the new faculty who joined DigiPen this past year, as well as congratulate those who have been recently promoted.

Angled view of a male faculty member using a mouse next to a DigiPen branded red folder

On-Campus and Internationally, Sonia Michaels Equips Students For Sustainable Game Careers

Faculty

The DigiPen Department of Humanities and Social Sciences chair, now on the IGDA Board of Directors, is on a mission to change the game industry for the better.

DigiPen senior lecturer Sonia Michaels sits at her desk near a dragon figurine.

Watch Now: DigiPen's Lawrence Schwedler Composes a Video Game Musical Theme

Faculty

In this DigiPen Direct video tutorial series, former Nintendo audio director Lawrence Schwedler creates the music for a sci-fi student game project.

Lawrence Schwedler behind the sound board

Professor Alecia Rossano on Molding Clay and Shaping Students

Faculty

Professor Alecia Rossano talks about her passion for rendering the human form and teaching DigiPen students the traditional art of figure sculpting.

Alecia Rossano teaches figure sculpture in the studio classroom.

Game and Concept Art Instructor Rich Werner's Top 5 Classic Character Designs

Faculty

The artist behind Plants Vs. Zombies breaks down his favorite designs of the 2D console and arcade era.

A headshot of DigiPen game and concept art instructor Rich Werner.

Dr. Vanessa Hemovich and DigiPen Students Explore Gaming’s Social Outcomes

Faculty

Aided by students, a DigiPen psychology professor broadens the discourse on the social impact of video games.

DigiPen professor Dr. Vanessa Hemovich.

Professor Writes the How-to Guide on Code Samples for Programmers

Faculty

For junior programmers looking to land that coveted job interview, DigiPen professor Ellen Guon Beeman’s new book on code sample writing aims to help.

DigiPen faculty member Ellen Guon Beeman

Digital Arts Instructor Zahra Haghiri’s Top 5 Digital Artists

Faculty

The digital painting and character design teacher breaks down some of her personal favorites.

DigiPen Digital Arts instructor Zahra Haghiri

Senior Lecturer Matthew Picioccio’s Top 5 Games That Make You Think Like a Programmer

Faculty

The Elder Scrolls programmer recommends games that will hone your computer science skills.

A headshot of DigiPen senior lecturer Matthew Picioccio.

Professor James S. Peet Turns Students Into Worldbuilders

Faculty

Far from your typical geography courses, Geography and Cartography for Worldbuilding mixes academic science with art.

Professor James Peet stands in front of a vast valley and mountain range.

Watch Now: DigiPen's Jazno Francoeur Animates an Avalanche

Faculty

In the first of our DigiPen Direct video series, BFA program director Jazno Francoeur gives a visual effects lesson on how to draw an avalanche in motion.

DigiPen's Jazno Francoeur sits in a computer lab

DigiPen Program Director Benjamin Ellinger’s Top 5 Favorite Online Games

Faculty

Having worked on classics of the genre himself, the professor runs down his favorite games for connecting with others.

Program director Benjamin Ellinger smiles for the camera in a DigiPen polo shirt.

Why DigiPen's Computer Science Education Is Different

Faculty

An animated comic with Program Director Prasanna Ghali on what sets DigiPen apart.
A DigiPen student levitates and codes in a green digital space next to a knight with a DigiPen shield.

DigiPen Professor Helps Put the Spotlight on Student Films

Faculty

Pamela Mathues champions the work of DigiPen student animators from behind the scenes, and the awards are piling up.

Screen capture from the student film Adija. A young girl looks at a happy family photograph.

How DigiPen Students Learn Music and Sound Design Through Breath of the Wild

Faculty

Program director Lawrence Schwedler explains why the Zelda title is “the apex of non-linear game audio” and how he teaches his students with it.

Program director Lawrence Schwedler explains why the Zelda title is “the apex of non-linear game audio” and how he teaches his students with it.

Animation Faculty Revisit Their Work on the Newly Remastered Aladdin and Lion King Games

Faculty

The retro console classics were some of the animators’ first assignments as full-time Disney employees.

DigiPen animation professor Dan Daly sits at his desk with an original rough in-between drawing from the Aladdin game.

DigiPen Faculty Display Their Talent in ​“Modern Mythology” Art Exhibit

Faculty

The exhibition, featuring original artwork from 26 DigiPen faculty, is on display at the Bellevue Art Museum through January 5, 2020.

Three terracotta figure sculptures by Alecia Rossano on display at the Bellevue Art Museum.

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