Open Spaces, Open Minds (OSOM) is The Epicenter's online community. OSOM inspires and empowers our community to explore with true curiosity and joy. We ask open-ended questions rooted in nature that do not have a 'right' answer through our OSOM shorts and OSOM Explorations & Discoveries. How do you answer a question that doesn't have a 'right' answer? Through careful observation, by exploring yourself and the world around you, and by discovering new perspectives on your own. This is also the approach we use when working with students in person.OSOM's philosophy is exemplified by the acronym IM IN AWE: Inspiring Minds in Nature through Awareness, Wonderment, and Exploration.https://www.be-the-epicenter.org/open-spaces-open-minds.html

Adjunct Lecturer, Augusta State University | Art Department Augusta, GA Fall 2012HUMN 2002: World Humanities | This course was a team-taught, interdisciplinary course on art, music, literature, and philosophy. It explored Asian, African, and Western cultures from the seventeenth century to the present day by surveying selected “cultural monuments” (ideas, masterpieces, and/or creators) of artworks, music, and literature deemed significant for their influence on the evolution of Western and world cultures. I developed and conducted lectures and quizzes for the art section alongside faculty teaching the music and literature sections.

Assistant Professor of Art, Michigan State University | School of Art & Art History East Lansing, MI 2010-2011Digital Photography I | This course introduced students to photographic history, contemporary and historical photographic theory, and black-and-white digital photographic techniques. Students learned digital still camera operation, digital photographic retouching using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, and digital printing.Color Photography | This course introduced students to photographic history, contemporary and historical photographic theory, and digital color photography techniques. Students learned digital photographic retouching, enhancement, and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, digital printing, digital photographic collage and compositing, advanced selections and sharpening, and stop-motion animation.Senior Photography Workshop | This course introduced students to advanced color photography techniques and included the completion of individual senior thesis projects. Techniques introduced include integration of 3D imaging with photography, alternative processes, HDR photography, and integration of moving images and still images.Digital Photography for Non-Majors | This course introduced non-majors to photographic history, contemporary and historical photographic theory, and black-and-white digital photographic techniques. Students learned digital still camera operation, digital photographic retouching using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, and digital printing.Independent Study & Senior Projects | I guided four junior and senior students on self-initiated projects in which they learned intermediate and advanced photography concepts and techniques.

Adjunct Lecturer, Eastern Michigan University | School of Art Ypsilanti, MI 2009-2010Computer Imaging | This course introduced students to computer-generated imaging techniques and theory, including digital collage using Adobe Photoshop, digital illustration using Adobe Illustrator, stop-motion animation using digital photography and Final Cut Express, interactive digital animation using Flash, and website design using Flash.Intermediate Photography II | In this course, students learned intermediate digital photography techniques, theory, and history. Students learned digital photographic retouching, enhancement, and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, digital printing, digital photographic collage and compositing, and advanced selections and sharpening.

Lecturer, University of Michigan | School of Art & Design Ann Arbor, MI 2007-2010Concept, Form, & Context I: Human Being | This course facilitated idea generation, brainstorming, mock-up creation, and conceptual development of creative projects in all media. Using a medium of their choice for each assignment, students created projects in response to the general themes of 1) the human body, 2) the human mind, 3) communication between human beings, 4) the immediate and expansive spaces that human beings occupy, and 5) the identity of each student as a human being.Techniques, Materials, & Processes III: Time | This course introduced students to time-based media theory and techniques. Students learned digital video camera operation, digital video and sound capture and editing using Final Cut Pro, stop-motion animation, digital animation using Flash, and performance art.The Human Body as Armature | In this course, students created works that focused on the structure and function of the human body and its relationship to space and human identity. Projects included wearables, small spaces/dwellings, sculptural appendages, drawings, performances, videos, and/or photographs.Performance for the Camera | In this course, students created performances to be captured by still images, moving images, and sound.Digital Studio I | This course introduced students to various digital media, including 2D design and illustration using Adobe Photoshop & Illustrator, 3D design using Google Sketchup, interactive animation using Flash, and website design using Flash & Dreamweaver.

Photography Instructor, Washtenaw Community College | Visual Arts Technology Ann Arbor, MI 2007-2010Digital Photography II | In this course, students learned advanced color digital photography techniques, including digital photographic retouching, enhancement, and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, digital printing, digital photographic collage and compositing, advanced selections and sharpening, HDR (High Dynamic Range) photography using Photomatix, and digital panoramic imaging.Darkroom Photography I | This course introduced students to 35 mm camera operation and techniques, black-and-white photographic darkroom developing and printing, and photographic composition and theory.Digital Photography I | This course introduced students to digital photography techniques, including digital photographic retouching, enhancement, and manipulation using Adobe Photoshop, Lightroom, and Adobe Camera Raw, RAW processing, digital asset management, digital printing, digital photographic collage and compositing, advanced selections and sharpening, and flatbed and film negative scanning.