Since the beginning of the Digital Media bachelor’s degree in 2002, and subsequent focused degree programs starting in 2015, the department has supported a vast array of media-based projects to support student creative activities. Each have been supported by faculty to provide students with life changing experiences through applied in-the-field media acquisition and output of polished deliverables to meet client requirements. Projects have ranged from video documentaries, web development applications, to high-resolution LiDAR scans of landscapes; media designed to be used to assist non-profit organizations meet critical demand for services. To date, I have been at the helm of many of these projects by either directly managing or in a supporting role as the department liaison for international and special projects.Current Projects:Israel (2010 - Present) Beit Lehi archeological media development and supportNorway/Svalbard (2017 - Present) > piql Digital Asset Archival training and integration Bolivia (2024) Coordinated project ~ United States National Park Service at TiwanakuGreece (2024) Photogrammetry/LiDAR scanning of Pentalofos village ~ Greek Ministry of CultureEl Salvador (2025) Mobile e-commerce App development to support local merchants in Santa AnaPast Projects:[ Africa ]Namibia (2006-2011) and (2016)MadagascarCape Verde Ghana Tanzania Mali - Mali Rising Foundation[ Asia ]Thailand Cambodia ChinaMongolia[ Latin America ]Guatemala Chile[ Europe ]ItalyScotlandFranceRussia/Ukraine[ United States of America ]Utah - Mighty FiveFlorida - St Augustine Fortress

In 2015, the Interaction Design (IxD) program began with 39 students. With a budding program three years later, and over 100 students in the program, I decided it was time to begin UX Field Experiences in 2018 to engage students with professionals around the nation as well as around the world. This unique engagement tool has since grown into what we call UXpeditions; field experiences with professionals, in their corporate environments, meant to teach and inspire budding IxD practitioners in ways that cannot be accomplished in the classroom. Through these in-the-field experiences, students have an opportunity to participate in team design sprints, hands-on workshops, and technology demonstrations. Locations and company interactions that have been planned by faculty and student leads have taken us far and wide. They include:• San Francisco (2018) Apple, Facebook, Google• NYC (2019) NFL.com, Facebook NY, BBH, Huge• Seattle (2019) Amazon, Nintendo, Microsoft, Disney, Pixar, Civilization• Amsterdam (2019) UX STRAT Staff, Osudio, Happy LabsCOVID Sucked (2020)• Huntsville (2021) NASA, Trideum• Austin (2021) SXSW, USAA, imWare, Austin UX Group• Indianapolis (2022) CornBelly’s | Corn Party Conference Staff• Normandy/Amsterdam (2022) Capstone Project + UX STRAT Staff• Los Angeles/Anaheim (2022) Disneyland UX Immersive Experience• Boulder (2022) UX STRAT Staff• Boulder (2023) UX STRAT Staff • Boston (2024) iMotions, Boston Aquarium• London/Scotland (2023) AWS + Data Informatics Edinburgh University• San Francisco (2023) Smashing Magazine Conference• New York City (2024) Smashing Magazine Conference Staff• Chicago (2025) Planned: McDonalds, LinkedIn, …

In my twenty plus years of service at Utah Valley University, I have been deeply involved in expanding the concepts of Flexible Learning Spaces on the UVU campus to teach using hands-on instruction rather than traditional means…usually associated with university academics as being a ‘smart classroom’ using what are perceived to be game changers. Yes, hands-on instruction is not new; however, there has been a limited view into 'traditional or smart’ classroom arrangement and optimization to effectively teach highly specialized curricula. As can be seen in associated media, our efforts are quite different from the norm, and these efforts have provided Digital Media (DGM) students with unparalleled level of experiences to learn in unique ways that contribute to their preparedness when entering industry.

I'm a tenured faculty member at Utah Valley University in the Department of Digital Media (DGM) and presently the most senior member. I've had an amazing experience at UVU in helping to build an unparalleled multimedia/digital media program; one of the first in the United States, a recognized leader within academia, as well as the recognized leader in Utah for media-related studies.I am presently leading the development of a new Extended Reality & Simulations degree, along with my colleague Marty Clayton, which will feel will rival some of the most prestigious programs within universities and private industry. No doubt, this will put Utah and UVU on the map in the world of XR. My specific focus will be on Immersive Design (IxD) within XR as the UX community transitions to the evolving markets of reality-based experiences. We are working feverishly toward the approval of this degree by Utah Regents for an official start in the fall semester of 2024. We've already begun to offer courses in a 'track' rollout and actively recruiting students into the new program.Previous to this monumental effort, though, I spearheaded the development of the Interaction & Design program in 2012, with my colleagues Dan Hatch and Emily Hedrick, and launched officially in 2014, fast becoming a major recruitment center for the UX industry in Utah and abroad. The program has enjoyed tremendous success and will continue to prepare students to meet the ever-growing need for properly educated UX practitioners.Lastly, during my tenure in the department, I have devoted much time to research, development, and expansion of industry-leading educational curricula and professional activities since 2002. The DGM started as an associate's degree in 1998, quickly transitioning to a bachelor's degree in 2022, and we've met every challenge to build something special for our alumni and graduates ever since.

Known as Beit Lehi: Israel's Ancient Lost City, this is a long-term multi-discipline project organized by the Beit Lehi Fioundation, Inc. and supported by Utah Valley University departments of Engineering Design Technology and Digital Media. We work closely with Hebrew University at Jerusalem and the Isreal Antiquity Authority on the regional project.My role is to manage projects and students as they fulfill Senior Capstone requirements or associated media development. Project aspects include Digital Media students designing and creating interactive media products to support Foundation activities. We are in the midst of a major push into XR-related product development using scanned Object VR of artifacts and placing them into holographic space - with a specific focus on the creation of an archeological mixed-reality database for professionals to use in studying the site.Each year I travel with a limited amount of students to capture #VR #AR #Photography and #Video assets for use in productions.

Lead a one-of-a-kind project to help the Namibian National Archives and the Polytechnic of Namibia (Namibia University of Science and Technology), both located in the capital of Windhoek, in the processes of digital archiving. Utah Valley University took the lead in training individuals in approaching this vast undertaking by researching effective technical means to meet the challenges of this emerging nation. Students from both institutions worked together with staff, faculty, and professionals to make this undertaking a success.

Podcast Tune-Up was committed to bring robust standards and more refined development practices to an emerging subscription-based media industry through highly focused educational resources, consulting, and creative production services.

The "original" Quepasa.com was a sweet experience during the dot-com craze and crash! While many will look at the rise and fall of the approximate 867 casualties during this time period with a skeptical view–few of us would trade the experience and knowledge gained from our digital adventures. I learned valuable lessons from managing content and the delivery of online media that has become an invaluable addition to my professional qualifications. Add to that the many professional associations gained over that time period and my time there was a complete experience. All this has made a positive impact on my professional career and advanced my abilities.