Office and People Directory

Amy Howe

Biography

Amy Howe has been an interdisciplinary educator for 20+ years. Her experience includes designing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in gender studies, general education, critical theory, American studies, and the study of religion at Harvard, Brown, Middlebury, Smith, and now at Champlain College. Before her graduate studies and teaching career, she held a nonprofit career managing California- and nationally-based youth-led community organizing projects for underrepresented communities. In 2019, she earned her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the study of religion (religion, gender, culture). She also serves as the Academic Director of Women, Gender, and Representation for Smith’s summer Precollege Programs.

Over the last five years at Champlain, Amy Howe has taught widely across the Core Division. Her leadership in innovative curricula and classroom design and leadership, student support, and involvement in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice issues earned her the Francine Page Teaching Excellence in 2021. Centered on experiential learning techniques, she regularly engages students in community partnerships in rural humanities, digital humanities, and racial and gender social justice issues.

Amy Howe not only remains incredibly proud of being the first in her family to pursue higher education, but she is also a relentless advocate for students who navigate first-generation lives. In her free time, Howe loves spending time with her two dogs, growing house plants (too many these days), crafting, exploring new outdoor spaces, and enjoying circus arts.

Favorite Quote

“The paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which one is being educated.”

—James Baldwin

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Ken Howell

Biography

Ken Howell is an Associate Professor in the Division of Communication & Creative Media, where he teaches in multiple programs. He started teaching at Champlain as an adjunct in 2006, having previously taught at the New York University Steinhardt School and New Jersey City University.

Ken has been working with Champlain’s Emergent Media Center (EMC) since 2008. He has worked on an array of projects, including the UNFPA Game to Prevent Violence Against Women and IBM Virtual Worlds project. Along with support from the EMC, Ken recently served as Faculty Advisor for the Sandbox team, a group of students exploring new and novel forms of human-computer interaction. Work from that team has been exhibited at the Chicago Design Museum, the Game Developers conference, and many other venues internationally. He also works with a group of artists called the Illumination Collective, exploring digitally controlled lighting as a means of art making.

In addition to teaching, Ken has been an independent Interaction Designer and Developer for over twenty years, and has worked on such broad-ranging brands as Urban Outfitters, Rossignol, Pantene, and Skittles. He is also active in the Maker Movement, and is a founding board member of Generator Makerspace

When he is not working or teaching, Ken enjoys drawing, painting, tinkering in his laboratory, taking care of his Bonsai trees, and all things outdoors.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Jimena Huaco

Biography

Jimena is a member of the Institutional Research team at Champlain under the Provost Office. Jimena provides analysis for institutional metrics and data reporting. She’s been part of the Champlain family since 2008 when she joined as an undergraduate student. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she later became a Financial Sophistication Specialist educating Champlain students on personal finance topics. Before joining the IR team, Jimena managed Champlain’s extracurricular career education program called InSight. During this time, she discovered her passion for data, and data-driven decision-making. She completed her MBA from Champlain College in 2018, and in 2024 she completed a graduate certificate in Data Science.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy mountain biking and gardening. In winter, I like to winter hike or to pick up a new craft.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

My new favorite local spots are the Mini Factory in downtown Bristol, and lulu’s ice cream in Vergennes.

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Matt Huwiler

Biography

Matt Huwiler is a seasoned web developer with over two decades of experience at Champlain College, currently serving as a senior-level Web Developer in the Information Systems department. His work spans SSO management, custom reporting, cloud infrastructure, React Native development, and online payment forms.

Matt is also an Adjunct Professor for Champlain College Online, teaching courses in JavaScript, iOS development, web media, and animation. Passionate about online education, he enjoys empowering students with practical skills.

Based in Michigan, Matt remains closely connected to the Champlain community, with aspirations of returning to Vermont. In his free time, he explores emerging technologies like AI and DLTs and enjoys physical fitness, chess, and skiing.

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Michelle Irish

Biography

Educator, Administrator, Positive Organizational Development Practitioner, Educational Equity Leader

20+ years experienced public and private educational administrator and strengths-based organizational development practitioner. Interested in developing opportunities to strengthen public-private partnerships in the spirit of creating shared value, and cultivating a purpose-driven organization using strategies for building meaning, leveraging strengths, and using collective talents to transform experiences for collaborators and consumers.

Strengths: creativity, flexibility, strategic thinking, developer and systems design

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Susan Jacques

Biography

Susan is a Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health Center. She has worked at Champlain College for 7 years and has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years with experience in primary care, women’s health and college health.

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Benjamin Jelter

Biography

Ben Jelter is an illustrator, game designer, and instructor. He has created a large number of independent comics and video games over his career. His last release was The Machine, published through Incube8 games. His next published game will be Unearthed, an expanded version of the game that won GBCompo21. It will be published through Limited Run Games.

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, 2005)
• Ikaruga (Arcade, 2001)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS, 2013)

Favorite Quote

“If the professors of English will complain to me that the students who come to the universities, after all those years of study, still cannot spell “friend,” I say to them that something’s the matter with the way you spell friend.”

—Richard Feynman

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Sarah Jerger

Biography

Sarah Jerger currently serves as the Director of the Emergent Media Center (EMC) at Champlain College. Having joined Champlain College in January 2008, she is a founding member of the EMC, which is committed to educating and inspiring students through hands-on experiences developing creative media solutions for real-world challenges. She leads visioning and goal setting, strategic communications, successful student outcomes, budgetary and management operations, strong community partnerships through sponsorships and grants, and fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Jerger holds a Master’s degree from Champlain College in Emergent Media. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and two Associate’s degrees in Multimedia & Graphic Design and Public Relations & Media Communications.

Jerger’s previous experience includes communications, operations, graphic design, and media-buying in the advertising, beverage, and real estate industries. Sarah is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for making and craft, which she explores intertwining with digital means of expression. Her work spans (for now) textile art, digital storytelling, mixed-media collage, video, and wearable electronics. She also operates and curates a Free Little Art Gallery, a community-driven project to make art more accessible and nurture creativity.

What are your hobbies?

Mixed media art, hiking, nature, cooking, taking classes & learning new things, procrastinating folding laundry

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Devil Takes a Holiday, Kate’s Food Truck, Jericho Cafe & Tavern, Spot on the Dock // Palmer Lane Maple for creemees, hikes around Indian Brook Reservoir, South End Art Hop in September, shows at the Monkey House, Vermont Comedy Club, concerts at Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero

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Isabella Jeso

Biography

PROFESSIONAL GOALS

Teaching:
In her continuing research and writing as a scholar, Dr. Isabella Jeso’s primary goal is to harness the intellectual resources provided by her education, training, and extensive experience in the humanities; along with knowledge from her recently completed Master of Business Administration studies, to apply her expertise toward helping in the creation, and maintenance, of learning environments that nurture diverse and inclusive learning communities.

Dr. Jeso has a history of excellence in teaching and wishes, at various levels of higher education, to continue to cultivate engaging and progressive learning experiences for all her students. Of particular interest to Jeso are learning models and best practices that bring together, for the student: academics, and professional development, that nurture the following learning competencies (skills and traits) in students: Analysis; Collaboration; Diversity and Inclusion; Global and Cultural Understanding; Creativity (and Communication); Inquiry (asking deep/meaningful questions, to help students become a self-guided learners); and Integration (of ideas).

Dr. Jeso has enjoyed many years as a college professor, lecturer, researcher, as well as in academic advising. In addition to her current role teaching part-time at Champlain College; Jeso has also taught at the University of Vermont, the University of Zimbabwe, the University of Texas, Arlington, the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, and at St. Michael’s College, Colchester, Vermont. She spent a memorable year in San Diego, California, preparing new Americans for employment in the United States.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Areas of Expertise in the Humanities:
Literature: World Literature in Translation, and Literature in English from Commonwealth Regions

Literary Theory: Introducing students to theoretical perspectives in these areas Deconstructionism;
New Historicism; Colonization/Post-Colonialism; Feminism; and Justice.

Intellectual History, focusing on the classics and how those ancient viewpoints dialogue with modern mindsets.

A Trained Teacher, with expertise in education theory, knowledge that makes her exceedingly at home with
undergraduate college students in the classroom.
Writing and Communication: Jeso is a published author of creative writing.

Scholarly Research and Writing:
Basing her research on multi-disciplinary studies of the theory of the mind, Dr. Jeso has developed expertise in advanced intellectual explorations that position Africanist imaginative writing as a potentially effective translator of how African spiritual traditions function as the watershed of knowledge systems that are uniquely African in nature, in as far as these knowledge systems are significant determinants in the distribution of political, economic, and social power. Jeso thus explores how the same systems could be utilized as important resources for creative writers and artists who wish to give a more original voice to the African character. This research, for our Champlain students’ experience and learning, has evolved and translated into courses that Jeso offers, COR-104: Making Garments/Doing Justice, and COR-202: Philosophical Ways of Knowing.

Creative Writing:
Jeso has written and published poetry, informed by her experience growing up in rural Zimbabwe. From her education and training as an elementary school teacher in Zimbabwe (then, Rhodesia), Jeso has also written a children’s literature book series for K through 8th grade. Together with her son, she currently develops and maintains a digital Children’s Newsletter for the series.

EDUCATION

Dr. Jeso’s educational background includes a Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst; a Master of Arts from the University of Vermont; a Master of Business Administration degree from Champlain College, Vermont; a Bachelor of Arts from St. Michael’s College, Colchester, Vermont; an Associate of Arts degree from Cottey College, Nevada, Missouri; and Teacher Certification from Mt. Silinda Teacher’s College, Chipinge, Zimbabwe.

PERSONAL:

Jeso has one son, who earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management from Champlain College, where he is continuing his education as a Cyber Security student; while working full-time. The Jesos reside in South Burlington, Vermont.

Publications & Abstracts

Bitney Adventures Book Two: Bitney on the Island of the Mists

Zimbabwean Collectibles

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Chikomborero Jeso

Biography

Chikomborero (Chiko) Jeso graduated from Champlain College in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. During his time at Champlain, he has also worked as a Data Intern, Course Producer, and Senior Enrollment Operations Coordinator.

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Mark Johnson

Biography

Mark Johnson has had a 40-year career in Vermont journalism as a reporter, editor and talk show host. Johnson has worked at the Eagle Times in Springfield, the Burlington Free Press, the Vanguard Press, VTDigger.org and Seven Days as a reporter, editor and columnist. For 25 years, he hosted an influential political and general interest two-hour daily talk show on WKDR and WDEV radio stations. He also served as a regular panelist and guest host on Vermont Public Television’s weekly roundtable news show “Vermont This Week.” He and his wife, Lauren-Glenn Davitian, the founder of Town Meeting Television, and their daughter, Stella Rose, live in Burlington.

Distinctions & Awards

Vermont Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award 2012

Favorite Quote

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

—Steven Covey

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Max Johnson

Recommended Reading

• The Sound Effects Bible by Ric Viers
• The Foley Grail by Vanessa Theme Ament
• Aaron Marks’ Complete Guide to Game Audio

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Danielle Johnson

Biography

Danni is a creative writer, editor, and digital designer who graduated from Champlain College in May 2022 with a BFA in Creative Media as Summa Cum Laude. She was born in Honesdale Pennsylvania and grew up in a small town of 1800 people before moving to California with her husband Sam and two cats, Wonton and Nori.

Her journey in storytelling equipped her with a passion for crafting compelling and meaningful narratives worthy of remembering. She nurtured a keen understanding of the profound impact storytelling can have and is driven by a passion for creating stories that forge lasting connections and evoke emotions. While studying, Danni worked as a student worker for the Marketing Department at Champlain and the Miller Information Commons Library, and continued contracting for her alma mater after graduating before accepting a position as an Assistant Content Producer at Champlain. She specializes in CMS, web design, web administration, writing and editing, and digital content.

She enjoys crocheting, playing narrative-driven games, listening to music, and sipping the occasional hot cup of tea from her vast collection of teapots.

Distinctions & Awards

2022 Champlain College – “William J. Everts Jr. Wild and Outside Award”

2022 Champlain College – Division of Communication and Creative Media “Excel Award”

Publications & Abstracts

Darkfire Chronicles Podcast

Apples – 2019, Wingless Dreamer Poetry Anthology

Attack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Blackjack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Snowman – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

Postage – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

It’s Just an Actor – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

What are your hobbies?

Reading & writing, listening to music, skiing, crocheting, playing video games, and 3D printing/painting.

Favorite Local Eateries

Dobra Tea, Gaku Ramen, and Three Needs on Church Street!

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Eric Jollymore

Biography

Eric is an enthusiastic digital forensics instructor who is passionate about exploring how technology works and discovering the information that can be extracted from it. With a strong commitment to research and testing, he brings an enthusiastic and hands-on approach to his teaching.

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Meg Jones

Biography

Meg Jones joined Champlain College having received their PhD in Education from the University of Rhode Island. Meg’s research interests include preservice teacher education, social justice & inclusion in PK-16 education, literacy for PK-16, and qualitative research methods. They have over ten years of experience in education including as an elementary and early childhood classroom teacher, district level technology integration coach, professional development facilitator, college course instructor for literacy courses and qualitative methods, and international research fellow.

Meg was the recipient of a Fulbright Finland Foundation grant (2021-2022) and American-Scandinavian Foundation fellowship (2022-2023), which combined supported two years living and researching in Finland. Meg brings these experiences to Champlain to connect local and global communities while ensuring future teachers are ready for diverse classrooms.

Meg’s educational philosophy is rooted in critical approaches to teaching and learning, drawing from the works of bell hooks, Judith Butler, and Paulo Freire. In the classroom, Meg practices “engaged pedagogy” (hooks, 1994) which prioritizes the wellbeing and empowerment of students.

Publications & Abstracts

• Disrupting cisheteronormativity in STEM through humanism
• Unpacking Anti-femininity Among Masculine Identifying STEM Students with Minoritized Identities of Sexuality and Gender
• “You Assumed That Everybody Was…”: Hermeneutic Injustice and Cisheteropatriarchy in STEM Coursework
• Embodied Literacies of Sexuality and Gender of College Students
• Using Digital and Media Literacies to Expand Global Perspectives

Recommended Readings

• Teaching to Transgress by Bell Hooks
• The Midnight Library by Matt Haig

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