Student

Michelle Nie

Favorite Class

Game Production I and Game Architecture

What made you choose Game Programming?

I love integrating art and technology and using it as a medium for storytelling and experience-making. I used to be more of an artist, but upon learning how to code I fell in love with it and decided to move more into technology and programming. It absolutely fascinates me that something I can type out on my keyboard can turn into incredibly powerful game engines, software, and tools.

How has the Core curriculum changed your perspective?

The flexibility of Core and Division of Information Technology & Sciences inherent interdisciplinary nature lends Division of Information Technology & Scienceself to forcing your creative muscle to work. Not only am I learning different perspectives to look at myself, communities, and the world, I am also allowed freedom to tie it back into the tech world. For most people, programming isn’t the first thing that comes to mind, but there are a lot of surprising ways social impact can come into the world of ones and zeroes.

Do you have a favorite class?

It’s hard to pinpoint a particular favorite class. I’d say my current favorites are Game Production I and Game Architecture. I’m learning so much about the application of the programming skills that I’ve been learning for years. I was a programmer before, but these two classes really put the “game” in Game Programming by teaching me skills specifically for programming in games.

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Alexa O’Kane

Specialization

Creative Writing

Grad School

The New School with a Dual-Concentration MFA in Poetry and Writing for Children & Young Adults

What do you like about your program?

I love everything about the Professional Writing program! The classes are incredibly fun and can be super specific to a genre such as Reading & Writing in Genre: Graphic Literature or as general as Publishing in the 21st Century-but all are helpful to help you discover your passions and learn about all the possibilities a career in writing can offer. The projects we do in Creative Writing classes lead to publishable portfolio pieces, and it’s much more than just an English degree. I’m learning skills like pitching to agents, copyediting, and even the specifics of my craft such as building character and plot arcs

What's your favorite Core experience?

My favorite Core experience was by far my Heroes & Heroines: Harry Potter travel course! I was lucky enough to have been chosen for Kerry Noonan’s class in my sophomore year. Eleven of my classmates and I analyzed the first Harry Potter book through a number of lenses and from many different perspectives in class. Over spring break, we spent ten days traveling through the UK and exploring cultural sites such as Edinburgh Castle as well as themed destinations like Warner Brothers Studios. I made friends for life and got to experience a curated trip that taught me more about a topic I love than I thought possible. Edinburgh is my favorite place in the world thanks to this trip, and I can’t wait to return in the near future!

How has your Champlain experience prepared you for your future career, both in and out of the classroom?

Thanks to my experiences at Champlain, I feel more than prepared to graduate. Over the past four years, Champlain has allowed me to explore all the career possibilities, then really understand what I want to do with my life. When I went into my writing classes as a first year, I knew I wanted to do something in the industry for a living, but I wasn’t entirely sure what. When I found myself in Tanya Stone’s Publishing in the 21st Century and Reading & Writing in Genre: Young Adult/Middle Grade Literature classes, the guest speakers and projects helped me figure out that I wanted to pursue a career related to writing for children and young adults.Outside of the classroom, Champlain has given me a strong writing community. My friends and I take the skills we learned in critique in class and use them to help each other with outside projects. I’m graduating with a writing support system, and I know that we’ll help each other for years to come.

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Austin Oliver

Double Major

Accounting & Finance

Internship

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) in South Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Federal Taxes I

How did your classroom work prepare you for your internship experience?

My classroom work in Federal Taxes I, Personal Finance, and Financial Management prepared me to not only understand and be able to perform tax preparation for our clients, but also to give advice regarding personal finances. At Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), I am able to talk with people who do not have a great foundation of financial knowledge and further their understanding of it while also being able to point them in the direction to find further assistance if they need it.My internship experience provided me with applicable job knowledge that will set me apart from other applicants. Following VITA, I will be interning at Gallagher, Flynn, and Co., where I will get experience in public accounting as well, providing me with a diverse work history in my field and showing that I have been getting a well-rounded and career-oriented education.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve found about Champlain so far?

I was surprised by the amount of utility provided to students. The college places a huge emphasis on the advancement of knowledge and encouraging students to broaden perspectives and think freely. Anywhere you look on campus, there is architecture designed to allow you to comfortably sit and work within an environment to suit the needs of any individuals’ workflow. If you want to be outside in the sun, there are patios with beautiful views and walls with broad granite tops-a perfect place to sit with a book or laptop. If you want the vibes of a startup, there is a lounge in the business school with couches, clear whiteboards, and modern aesthetics. Every inch of the campus seems to be built with student productivity being the first thing in mind.

What advice do you have for students thinking about coming to Champlain for college?

I would advise students who are considering Champlain to come onto the campus and interact with some of the faculty here. The small classes and committed teachers have really made the experience for me at the school. If you are looking to be an anonymous figure in the back of a large lecture, this isn’t the school for you. If you have a desire to achieve great things and work hard toward your goals, the school will support you along each step and ensure you have every tool you need to find success. Champlain College isn’t a place for everybody, but if you have a strong personal drive toward success you will find everything you need to assist that drive at this college.

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Natalie Orlando

Internship

Game Design Intern at Happy People Games, LLC in New York, NY

How has your experience been with the Game Studio?

There’s a tremendous sense of community in the Game Studio—which includes Game Programming, Game Art, Game Design, and Game Production. All our majors are challenging and demanding, but we’re all in this together, and you really get a sense of that. Everyone supports one another, and we all learn from each other.We game designers have built a strong bond that I’m so happy to be a part of. It really creates a community and support system.

How has the Upside-Down Curriculum impacted your time at Champlain?

I really appreciate the Upside-Down Curriculum here. I wasn’t completely sure about my major when I picked it, and at another school, I would have had to wait two years to find out for sure whether it was for me. But at Champlain, you’re working in your major from the get-go. I was reassured that I made the right choice, and that was really important to me.

How is it being a Resident Assistant at Champlain?

I’ve worked as a Resident Assistant for two years now. And that experience has helped me grow so much—not only as a student, but as a person. It has helped me meet a lot of amazing people and hear a lot of different stories, which have, as a whole, opened my eyes. It’s a challenging job, but so rewarding. I’m a better person now.

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Colton Orr

Internship

3-D Character Artist at Tuque Games in Montreal, Canada

Pots-Grad Job

Character Artist at Insomniac Games in Burbank, CA

What made you choose Champlain College?

I liked Champlain for a multitude of reasons, including the Upside-Down Curriculum, but I ultimately chose Champlain because of the Game Art & Animation* major. Our program is all about creating games with a purpose beyond just entertainment. We consider depth, and what makes a game matter. That’s something other schools don’t have, and we do it well.
*Program name changed to Game Art in 2019.

What is the best part about the professors at Champlain?

No matter what classes you take, your professors care about your success. There have been so many times when our professors stayed hours after class just to work with one student on something, not necessarily because that student was struggling, but because the teacher was inspired to help them. Champlain professors go above and beyond for their students.

Can you tell us about your internship in Montreal?

My internship was at Tuque Games, a small indie company. During the summer, I was working as a character artist creating monsters for a game I grew up playing. One of the most rewarding memories I have is the first time I got to play against one of the monsters that I made. I learned how to work on a team, practice new art techniques, and manage my time in a professional setting. The experience was amazing.

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Braeden Parenteau

Piece of advice to students?

Don’t be afraid to reach out to professors and classmates! They can be some of the best personal and professional connections you make.

What's your favorite book, movie or podcast?

Book: Ninth House by Leigh Bardugo

Inspirational Quote?

“If I wait for someone else to validate my existence, it will mean that I’m shortchanging myself.” – Zanele Muholi

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Anthony Pascone

Internships

Programmer for Champlain College Emerging Media Center in Burlington, VT

What is the best part about the Game Studio?

Champlain’s Game Studio does such an amazing job of giving students opportunities and connections within the game industry. Because game studios visit campus almost every month, I was able to secure a job at Infinity Ward three months before graduation.

Did you get the chance to study abroad?

I studied abroad in Montreal during the spring semester of my junior year. The experience was amazing and helped me become more independent. I also had the chance to participate in the Ubisoft Gamelab Competition as part of my Production II class. Our game ended up being nominated for four awards, and we all made a lot of connections within Ubisoft.

Have you had any memorable Core experiences?

I went on one of the Core travel courses. You can go to so many unique places, and the one I chose brought my class to Zanzibar in Tanzania for two whole weeks. I learned so much about Zanzibar’s art, culture, religions, and people. It was definitely my favorite Core experience.

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Allie Pashby-Rockwood

Internship

After School Program at Rick Marcotte Elementary School, Preschool Field Placement at Trinity Children’s Center, Primary Field Placement at Orchard Elementary, and HOPEWORKS Internship

What projects have you worked on in classes that you’ve found particularly rewarding/useful?

I have been able to complete a child profile where I was able to observe a real life student in my placement over a semester. I was able to see his developmental and academic progress throughout the year and it taught me a lot about what to expect for when I am in the field.

In what ways do you think your internship experience will give you a competitive advantage when it comes to getting a job in your field after graduation?

I interned at several places while attending Champlain, including an After School Program at Rick Marcotte Elementary School, a Preschool Field Placement at Trinity Children’s Center, a Primary Field Placement at Orchard Elementary, and at HOPEWORKS. I have been able to work with a diverse group of students in the local community which has given me opportunities to learn a wide range of skills when it comes to teaching. I also have been able to network in my community as a —- to help me have a job after I graduate.

What advice do you have for students thinking about coming to Champlain for college?

My advice for students thinking about coming to Champlain College is to be open to new experiences. Champlain College has so much to offer and there is something for everyone. My advice is to have a second of bravery and put yourself out there; meet new people, join clubs, get involved with events on campus. That one second of bravery just might change your life, as it did mine.

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Minerva Paulino

How has the Pathways Scholarship/CARE program supported your journey at Champlain?

Apart from the Pathways Scholarship being a huge monetary help for me to afford a great private college education, it has also provided me with a mentor who guided me through my first year. This mentor would help me with anything related to college, like getting a book advance or an angel fund to buy books, or setting me up with tutors from the Smart Space to help me with assignments.
[My mentor was] also someone that I could just talk to about issues not relating to school that could affect my performance, or just my mental health in general. I think of this mentor as my close friend, my guidance, and almost therapist all together. I can’t imagine having survived my first year without her support. This mentor connected me with some other amazing staff and faculty that I still keep in touch with today. I became close with staff from the Office of Diversity & Inclusion as well as many other resources on campus that I wouldn’t have gotten in contact with if it weren’t for my mentor pushing me to be involved in my community as much as I could.
At the end of the year, when I was applying for my leadership positions on campus, my mentor was able to write recommendation letters for me that gave a very accurate insight to who I was because she knew me so well. With her help, and that of other faculty I had connections with because of the CARE program, I was accepted in all three leadership positions that I applied for.
Although I don’t have my weekly meetings with my mentor anymore, she gave me the confidence to advocate for myself and know my way in and out of Champlain. If I ever need her again, I know that I can always count on her and she’ll be more than glad to help as well. I can’t express enough how the Pathways Scholarship and CARE program have helped me in college and I’m very grateful for it.

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Eliana Perez

Favorite Class

Core: Heroines & Heroes

What has been the most surprising thing about Champlain so far?

The most surprising thing about Champlain so far is how understanding the professors are. Because of our school’s size, I expected them to be less distant than they would be at a larger university, but the professors at Champlain really go above and beyond. They treat their students like people, and they’re forgiving when life gets messy. They will stick their necks out for students to succeed.

Have you had the chance to study abroad?

I studied abroad in Tokyo, Japan. It was incredible. The college culture in Japan is so different from college culture in the United States. Even though I was nervous about speaking Japanese, being immersed in the language really helped me develop that skill.

How has Champlain prepared you for your industry?

The Game Production classes have shaped me into a good team member. Being on a ten-person team is much easier said than done, so my communication skills have really grown since coming to college.

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Duncan Persons

Specialization

Media Production

Internship

Brand Specialist Intern at Champlain College in Burlington, VT

Post-Grad Job

Social Media & Student Communications Specialist at the University of Maine at Augusta

What do you like most about your Communication major?

I’m a Communication major, specializing in Media Production with a minor in Public Relations. Communication has been great because you can explore so many different classes—from PR to Video Storytelling to Graphic Design—and that has really helped me set a solid foundation of concrete, interdisciplinary ideas and strategies that aid me in the working world. I have a lot of interests: I love media production and graphic design, and I love event management. I have those skill sets, so when it’s needed at my job, I can say, “I can totally help you with that.”

How have the Champlain faculty helped to support you over the past four years?

All of my professors at Champlain have been so supportive. Nancy Kerr, my advisor, has been my rock. She is by far the best Faculty Advisor I could ever ask for. Not only does she really care about her students, but she also knows how to get the job done. She knows the curriculum inside and out. She knows who her students are, who her advisees are, what they like, and what they don’t like. Nancy and my other professors have been great resources.

How has the Core added to your major classes?

The Core curriculum has been really helpful because it helps me meet people outside of my major. It was awesome to meet people from a wide range of majors—from Psychology to Secondary Education to Digital Forensics, Law, and all of the Business majors.
Also, the fact that our Core curriculum is very discussion-based is really amazing. I learned so much, perspective-wise, on what it’s like to come from different parts of the country, what white privilege is, the ins and outs of LGBT awareness, and more. The Core curriculum does a really good job at tackling issues and bringing awareness to students.

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Danni Petrilak

Specializations

Creative Writing, Game Media, and Moving Image

Favorite Class

Intermediate Creative Writing

What do you like about your major?

I like the flexibility of Creative Media. With a focus and two complementary sections, I really get a taste for every possible artistic class offered on campus. My creative writing classes have been my favorite, since creative writing is what I enjoy the most. Jim Ellefson is my favorite professor, and I would recommend taking Jim’s classes for anyone who likes creative writing. He helped so much with the process of editing and publications and even pushed me to submit my work and eventually get published my second year.

How has Core impacted your education?

Core has opened my eyes to a number of things about myself, the community, and the world. My favorite experience was when my second year scientific revelations class, focused on the X-Files, created a research project focused on paranormal activity around Vermont. My group got the opportunity to travel to Norwich University and interview the Paranormal Society. We listened to audio, video, and picture files from their investigations around the northeast.

What extracurricular activities are you involved in?

I ski, play on the CCE Esports team for Rainbow 6, and am involved with Willard & Maple, Champlain’s student-run literary magazine.

View Samples of My Work 

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Zach Phillips

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Andersen Pinckney

Biography

Andersen is a Game Design graduate from Champlain College’s class of 2020. He has worked as an aerospace software engineer for Saber Astronautics, a project manager for the DoD, and in production for Rockstar Games. He has been an adjunct professor for Champlain College since Fall 2021.

Favorite Quote

“Shake and bake, baby!”

–Ricky Bobby

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Emily Platz

Specialization

IT Systems & Infrastructure

Service Learning Trip

Zanzibar, Tanzania

Internship

Systems Engineering Intern at Palo Alto Networks in Santa Clara, CA

Post-Grad Job

Associate Systems Engineer at Palo Alto Networks in Santa Clara, CA

Can you talk about Womxn in Technology at Champlain?

I started attending the Womxn in Tech club in my first couple of weeks here at Champlain, and it was a really welcoming community. I wanted to grow that community, and I think we’ve done that. There’s a big gender gap in the tech field, and I want to improve that by reaching out to younger people and making the community more welcoming to women, people of color, and non-binary folks. We’ve increased attendance and are getting more women and young girls involved in Cybersecurity, which is really important to me.

You’re involved with Techdren, right?

I’m part of the technical team for Techdren, a nonprofit started by Champlain students a few years ago that is centered around empowering women and giving students access to technology around the world. I’ve been helping to repair laptops we’ve received through donations, and installing educational software that tailors to whatever community we’re giving them to. This past January, I went on a trip to Zanzibar to deliver the laptops to schools and teach the students and teachers how to use them. It was a great and humbling experience, getting to see first-hand how technology can impact their lives and hopefully their future career prospects.

What off-campus internships have you had?

For my first internship, I worked at a pharmaceutical company as a technical intern, which was a really great experience. At the end of my sophomore year, I already had two years of major-related classes under my belt, which is not the case for a lot of other schools. After that, I interned at a cybersecurity company in California doing work on their firewalls. That actually turned into a full time position, so I’ll be working there as an Associate Systems Engineer after graduation.

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