About Me

Adam, a veteran of the United States Army and an avionics software engineer, specializes in IT and programming. He hails from S.U.N.Y. (State University of New York) where he earned his Associate Degree in Applied Science: Computer Technology,  A+Certification, and Microsoft MCSA: SQL certification. Adam’s always had an interest in gaming (both tabletop, PC, and console), and has been working in the industry since 1997, helping companies like Mythic Entertainment, Bioware, and EA Games. Adam is an outdoor enthusiast who, in his free time, enjoys hiking, fishing, camping, and kayaking. His other hobbies include designing and sewing his own costumes for Renaissance fairs and conventions.

Achievements

• Has worked on: Magestorm, Spellbinder, Darkness Falls, Darkness Falls: the Crusade, Dark Age of Camelot, Warhammer Online, Dragon Age, Mass Effect, Star Wars the Old Republic online
• Hardware and software engineer specialized in many programming languages

About Me

Adamaris holds a TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) certification, as well as a B.A. in Psychology from the College of Staten Island. She is also licensed in NJ Real Estate, primarily focusing on residential and related transactions, and has extensive experience in both sales and customer service as well as teaching English as a second language.

Adamaris enjoys helping others, as well as traveling to different countries and exploring their cultures! This passion of hers was a major part of what brought her to Game-U – with a mutual appreciation for diversity and a shared goal of online, all-inclusive learning and growth for every student in every class, she fits right in with our team.

About Me

Alex has been a videographer for close to a decade and has worked on a wide variety of projects. He also runs his own photographer/videographer business with his wife where they specialize in weddings and family portraits. Outside of GameU, he competes and coaches in CrossFit at his gym, Upper Arlington Fitness. He also loves music and movies.

Achievements

• Graduated from Groove-U in 2016 with a degree in video entrepreneurship
• Groove-U 2019 alumni of the year
• Qualified drone pilot
• Has created, shot, and edited multiple, short YouTube docu-series
• Worked on music videos, weddings, promotional videos for corporations and more

About Me

Allyson has a bachelor’s degree in Studio Arts from BYU Idaho and was the Softball State Champion for Delaware in 2008. She has more than a decade of experience in a variety of roles and subjects, including general, restaurant, and social media management, photography, training, and more. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, and going to the beach!

Achievements

• Bachelor's Degree from BYU-Idaho  
• 8+ years of management experience

About Me

Andrew is a husband and a dad. He is also a part-time Breakdance Instructor. He plays some musical instruments, sings, and dances. He is among the first Accelerate Instructors and has had the pleasure and opportunity to teach a handful of the first Accelerate students their first GameU classes. Andrew loves to listen and is passionate about people. He loves listening to their dreams and aspirations and supporting or encouraging them in pursuing their goals.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Computer Art with a focus in 3D Modeling and Animation

About Me

Austin graduated from Ohio University’s Scripps College of Communication with a bachelor’s degree in the same, majoring in Games and Animation and minoring in Marketing. Austin focuses on creating games with his company NewFutureKids. Outside of game development, Austin spends most of his time hanging out with his wife and friends, reading manga, and watching anime.

Austin also has a golden retriever named Jeff, who is, in Austin’s own words, “the goodest boy” imaginable.

Achievements

• “Gone Wandering,” featured on VICE and PCGamer
• “City of Dublin,” Ohio’s Animal Discovery web game
• Firefighter Proof of Concept HUD for iCode in Los Angeles
• Interactive Web App for Medforall in Columbus, Ohio, designed to help people with disabilities
• “Bobos,” a work in progress title with company NewFutureKids

About Me

Austin started as a GameU student in 2014, and has been with the company ever since! His hobbies include singing, cooking, gardening, repairing electronics, and of course playing video games.

Achievements

• Graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a Bachelor of Music Education degree in 2021
• Holds the World Record for the Co-Op speedrun of the video game Knack 2
• Classically trained tenor singer

About Me

Brett has a Bachelor of Science in Communications from State University at Oneonta. He and his wife Leslie are alumni of a non-profit sleepaway camp where they met when they were teenagers. They are still involved, fundraising and lobbying for children of all backgrounds to have the opportunity to attend and have the same incredible experiences that they had so many years ago – and still hold close to their hearts today!

In addition to his children-focused outreach, Brett enjoys the outdoors, routinely traveling, hiking, camping, and most importantly, spending time with his wife and two daughters.

About Me

Calvin is a strong leader and skilled in financial reporting, budgetary work, forecasting, and business. In his spare time, he enjoys coaching, mentoring, spiritual fellowship, and playing recreational sports. He was drawn to GameU through the common interest of nurturing a viable skillset in youth but also because making your own video game has got to be COOL!

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from Merrimack College
• FMVA certification from the Corporate Finance Institute
• Contributing author to Understanding Broadcast & Cable Finance (2nd ed.)

About Me

Caroline attended the University of South Carolina, obtaining a bachelor’s degree in IMS (Informational Management Systems) with a focus on healthcare. Part of that course of study included creating, programming, and maintaining databases for a variety of applications. Professionally, she furthered those skills working for a metal fabricating machine sales company, where she handled all manner of invoicing, purchasing, logistics, and government contracts. In her free time, she enjoys trips to the beach, spending time with her family, and trying all the food!

In joining our GameU team, Caroline hopes to further her professional development and make an impact on the world by being part of a growing company that holds to its founding values and strives for the same goals as she does – inclusion, integrity, and heart.

About Me

Cedric has been working in STEM education since 2014 and loves to share his passion for game development with students. He is also a classically trained cellist and enjoys performing with others in symphony orchestras and small chamber groups. In his free time, he enjoys gaming, Dungeons and Dragons, rock climbing, and spending time with his family.

Achievements

• Graduated from Vassar College with a B.A in Physics and correlate in Mathematics.

About Me

Christopher is a life-long music lover. He is a freelance DJ, live sound technician at Futuristic Feels Entertainment, and is also a singer-songwriter. He has performed at numerous venues from NYC and Walt Disney World. In his free time, Chris enjoys spending time with his wife and puppy Ellie, bowling, attending Concerts, working live production at Concerts and Events, and partaking in Disney fandom.

Achievements

• Attended the Institute of Audio Research in NYC to study Audio Recording, Engineering, & Music Production

About Me

Clint is California born, NY raised. Besides being a Game Developer he enjoys skateboarding, making music (Playing drums, producing beats, and he just picked up the Guitar). He really enjoy microcomputers and working on the "Robotic" side of things, although he hasn't done that in some time. Clint's main goal is to work on a Star Wars Project whether is a Video Game, Film/Show or any other medium.

Achievements

• Attended Bloomfield College and earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts degree

About Me

Initially GameU was a starting place for Dakota's career to gain skills in the Game Design field as an instructor. Over the course of a year or two, he was able to gain full time employment as well a management position. His hobbies include competitive bodybuilding, in which he has competed 3 times in the last 4 years. He enjoys playing and obviously making video games. Dakota feels lucky that one of his hobbies happens to be his career path. As for Goals, Dakota would love to earn professional bodybuilding status in the pro IFFBB league (Olympia level stuff). His main professional goal is simply to progress forward with GameU. To him, it is ever-changing month to month and the small goals that add up to large milestones as a company. He simply wants to leave his mark on GameU and the progress GameU makes everyday.

Achievements

• Alumnus of the Art Institute of Philadelphia
• Winner of the Art Institute of Philadelphia's Presidential Award
• Best of Quarter in Game Design and Gameplay
• Best of Quarter in Project Management
• Worked with team to develop a 3D platforming adventure game, “The Way of Cinnamon,” available on Steam

About Me

Dana's hobbies include reading, running, weight training, and spending time with her daughters and all of their crazy pets. She has over 20 years of experience in Human Resources and was drawn to GameU because a large portion of her childhood was spent playing Contra, MarioKart and Street Fighter.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from William Paterson University, graduating magna cum laude with an honor society membership
• K-8 Elementary Education Certification from William Paterson University

About Me

Danielle studied Elementary Education at RVCC, Nutrition at the Academy of Natural Sciences, and received her Child Day Care Management Certification through Penn Foster. More recently, she attended Dale Carnegie Leadership Training and is currently testing for a C.N.C. (Certified Nutritional Consultant) certification.

Danielle, a devoted homeschooling mom of four adorable children, has an ongoing passion for working with kids. She is constantly seeking to develop professionally, learning about nutrition, health, and other aspects of childcare. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and discovering new places.

About Me

Deborah lives in beautiful Hunterdon County, NJ. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends. She also enjoys reading historical fiction. Deborah loves working at GameU because of the wonderful staff and the commitment everyone has to the organizational mission.

Achievements

• BA in Psychology
• MA in Human Behavior and Organizational Psychology
• Post graduate classes in legal studies

About Me

Born and raised in the outskirts of Chicago, Greg has lived in Europe, Alaska, and various other states. He likes comedy and live theater.  His favorite musical is Moulin Rouge – "The greatest thing you'll ever learn is to love and be loved in return."

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Arts degree In English Literature & Creative Writing
• Has a Master of Fine Arts degree in Creative Writing Poetry
• C.E.L.T.A. - English Language Teaching to Adults
• Published Unity assets
• Published poetry in various literary journals
• Published Children's book series "The Statistics Monster"
• Semi-finalist at the Los Angeles Cinefest for screenplay short
• Unity Certified Expert: Programmer

About Me

Originally from South Carolina, Jacob enjoys college football (Go Clemson!), playing poker, collecting watches, and hanging out with his dog Vito.

Achievements

• Attended Clemson University & the College of Charleston, graduating with a bachelor's degree in Psychology
• Former Behavioral Therapist & Administrative Coordinator for Center for Autism and Related Disorders where he attained his BCAT certification.

About Me

Jasmine is studying for an associate’s degree in Architectural Technology and a bachelor’s in Interior Design. She has considerable expertise with Adobe Photoshop, SketchUp, AutoCAD, and similar programs. Prior to her career at GameU, she was a summer camp counselor, frequent babysitter, cashier, packer, and even a cake decorator. While she enjoyed her previous positions immensely, she especially loves GameU’s considerate, accepting nature and flexibility, and hopes to bring that same attitude to her own work. In her free time, Jasmine enjoys making art and photography, staying fit, and going out with friends!

Achievements

• Studying for an associate’s degree in Architectural Technology and a bachelor’s degree in Interior Design

About Me

Jasmine is skilled in a number of subjects, programs, and coding languages, including but not limited to the following: AR/VR game development, 3D photogrammetry, modeling, printing, and laser engraving; Unity, Blender, and Maya; and C#, HTML, and LUA, among others. Throughout all these areas of expertise, she’s known for her quirky art style and kid-oriented projects.

Achievements

• Has a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Technologies from Virginia Tech
• Has a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Digital Arts and a Bachelor of Art in Art History from Indiana University
• Was a Roblox Coding instructor
• Participated in the IMX Snap Creative Challenge (AR)
• Has been featured in multiple exhibitions and magazines
• Was the ICAT grant award winner for her project Zoologica Fantastica in the Mist (XR)

About Me

Jen enjoys being a people person and is focused on reaching out and making meaningful connections with everyone she meets. She has more than 20 years of management and scheduling skills. Jen enjoys cooking with her grandsons, playing with her dog Emme, and movie nights. Her goal and what brought her to GameU is simple: after 20 plus years in the corporate world, she wants to work with a more intimate company while doing something more meaningful to make a real impact in people's lives.

Achievements

• Has worked with Disney, Broadway, and celebrities including actors, musicians, and pro athletes (NFL, MLB, and the NBA)
• Recipient of multiple Rising Star Awards
• Was instrumental in running and coordinating a woman- and minority-owned company

About Me

Jess is passionate about animation and character creation. They are always creating and want to tell their stories to others through independent projects. They also enjoy dance and yoga in their free time. They came to GameU with a passion to want to inspire others with their skillset and knowledge.

Achievements

• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Animation and Motion Media from Lesley University
• Created Animated Music Videos for CeCe Rogers and Bruce Sudano

About Me

Jessica is a Brazilian who has always felt the need to conquer the world. That brought her to study International Relations, living in France for 6 months and working with an international team as a trainer in Dale Carnegie. She speaks English, Portuguese, Spanish and French.

Her training made her realize that by being exposed to the right experiences, people change their lives. And that's how GameU fits perfectly into Jessika's purpose – by getting kids to experience skill and challenges that can open doors. She loves musicals and DIY projects because they relax her and transport her to a different, magical world.

Achievements

• International Relations Graduate
• Best Dale Carnegie Online Trainer Worldwide 2021

About Me

Linda is an Accounting professional with a diverse background. She loves being a part of GameU and the dynamic environment of the gaming industry. Linda enjoys spending time with her grown children, listening to all types of music, reading, home design, and decorating. She is also a foodie and love all types of cuisine.

Achievements

• Graduate of Monmouth University with a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, concentration in Accounting, minor in Marketing

About Me

Makenzie was a previous student at GameU, taking coding and 3D Modeling which is how she became a part of the team. She loves all aspects of music and plays the guitar, piano, and the ukulele (her favorite). Makenzie also loves painting and drawing and has lots of experience in graphic design. She plans to go to college for music or fine arts.

About Me

Margaret started at GameU in January 2017. An artist in training and heart, she spends her free time creating visual art, gardening, and making meals for gatherings that bring together and celebrate friends and family. She loves meeting new people, finding new music, and is skilled at professional full-face face-painting.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Fine Arts from The School of Visual Arts, NYC
• Received the New Jersey Perry Award 2014 for "Outstanding Scenic Design of a Musical" (Shrek)

About Me

Mark obtained an associate’s degree in Specialized Electronics from Lincoln Tech in Allentown, PA. He is the founder of Remarkable Imports LLC, and the exclusive distributor of Dr. Heff’s Remarkable Mints. Mark believes in GameU’s mission and is proud to spread the word and watch students succeed in their passion for game development. He is also the father of, in his own words, “an awesome autistic young adult son”, and in his free time, enjoys camping, cycling, and spending time with his family.

About Me

Before GameU, Molly worked as an office manager and then a local accountant for 3 blackbear sports group facilities. In her past, she was also a national level figure skater turned coach. Molly's hobbies include hanging out with friends, traveling, going to the beach, skiing, and Philadelphia sports.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University (2015)

About Me

Myles is a recent college graduate who is looking for his where his journey will lead him next. His major goal right now is figuring out his career and where he would like to take it. As far as hobbies, Myles likes to listen to music, play video games, and watch anime. He is a deep fan of almost all things comic book and superhero – especially Marvel.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor in Photography for Arts & Science
• Was the Valedictorian of his high school class

About Me

Olivia is studying at Brooklyn College, considering both psychology and business for her degrees. Before beginning her career at GameU, she was a law office assistant for three years, working with multiple attorneys, managing clientele, and performing clerical duties. In 2017, she became a counselor and instructor at the Notre Dame Academy Summer Camp, where she coordinated with families and staff alike on a regular basis. In her free time, she enjoys reading and playing video games.

About Me

Rebecca is on a competitive dance team and participates in various clubs at school, including volunteer clubs and the student council.

Achievements

• Current high school student

About Me

Ruben is a trained musician who loves baseball and plays a competitive trading card game. He is also an aspiring voice actor. Ruben was introduced to GameU through a friend and he's been hooked ever since.

Achievements

• Attended Berklee College of Music in Boston
• Former tournament winner in Super Smash Bros.
• Helped run an indie game dev studio.

About Me

Taylor lives in California and graduated with her BA in Sociology. She enjoys playing video games, making art, watching anime, and drinking boba. Taylor is one of the co-authors of Three Little Ghouls and the First Day of School which is a children's book about self-esteem, friendship, and magic!

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from UC Riverside

About Me

Tommy is a computer software veteran with two decades of professional experience spanning several languages, platforms, and vertical markets. He is the former CTO for Rank & Style, where his expertise helped the company win the “Founders of the Future” challenge in 2014. At GameU, he helps make decisions about the use and integration of various technologies that drive the company’s growth.

About Me

Tyler is a VR game designer who loves to write and program. One day, he hopes to be a narrative lead on high quality, VR game experiences. Tyler also loves playing games, running, and sports.

Achievements

• Graduate of Ohio University
• Winner of 2020 Oculus Launch Pad competition

About Me

Vinnie DiGrazia attended John Cabot University in Rome, Italy. As a result of his studies abroad, he has a facility for languages and has translated both a screenplay and a novel from Italian to English. Once returned to the States, Vinnie used his skills to set up a translation business. During that time, he also worked in medical billing for a small family practice before coming to GameU. In his free time, Vinnie enjoys Rocket League, Street Fighter, playing with his dog, traveling, fishing, and gardening. One of the things he’s most proud of – also a result of his journeys, obtained when he worked in a kitchen in Italy – is his ability to make great pizza and pasta!

About Me

In his free time, William enjoys ice skating, model trains, gaming, and spending time with friends. He is a consummate manager, decision-maker, and organizer, William adapts easily and can learn on the fly. His projects include but are not limited to the following: Lead the Light, an endless puzzle game released for mobile; Triage, an educational game simulating triage scenarios for first responders; and Seahorse Saga, an ongoing indie RPG being developed in concert with his fellow Becker graduates for release on Xbox and PC. A consummate manager, decision-maker, and organizer, William adapts easily and can learn on the fly.

Achievements

• Graduated summa cum laude from Becker College with a degree in Interactive Media, concentrated in Game Development & Production with a minor in Business
• Completed the East Asian Studies program at Musashi University in Tokyo during a study-abroad semester in 2017
• Helped to produce Lead the Light, an endless puzzle game released for mobile
• Part of the following projects: Triage, an educational game simulating triage scenarios for first responders, and Seahorse Saga, an ongoing indie RPG being developed in concert with fellow Becker graduates for release on Xbox and PC.

About Me

Zack started at GameU back in 2017, coming out of college and looking for work in the game development field. As an avid gamer, Zack has a large retro game collection spanning many generations of games, and when he is not teaching, he is usually playing something from his collection.

Achievements

• Has a Bachelor of Game Art & Design from the Art Institutes in Pennsylvania

About Me

Zigmund was a former student and now provides support for GameU Game Nights. In his free time, he enjoys playing video games.