Welcome From The Dean

The world of communication and creative media is evolving so fast that I sometimes wonder if those of us in this field are speaking a foreign language — Spore, Photosynth, Android, iPhone, YouTube, Twitter, Bittorrent, GTA, Wii, WOW, Blogspot, RSS, Flip, P2, Flex, Jive, Mocospace, and more. The dynamic nature of The Division of Communication and Creative Media at Champlain College includes an amazing range of academic programs: from game design to graphic design, from professional writing to digital filmmaking, from game art and animation to communication and public relations, and more. There are very few other schools in the world (if any) where all of these programs are offered under one roof (actually many roofs, but all here on one beautiful campus in Burlington, Vermont).

Speaking of roofs, in the fall of 2007 we opened a fabulous campus in Montreal where we have professionals from Electronic Arts, Ubisoft, Eidos, A2M teaching courses in game design, game art and animation, interactive storytelling, and more. And we just launched a campus in the wonderful city of Dublin, Ireland, where students can immerse themselves in the culture and history of one of Europe's fastest growing and most diverse regions.

We're attracting talented and motivated students from all over the country, and because of our innovative curriculum these students are able to take courses in their major during every semester, including the first semester of their first year. Our faculty members have distinguished records of achievement, both professionally and academically. And perhaps even more importantly — they are excellent teachers.

Our facilities are outstanding. When I first visited the campus during my interview for the dean's position in the spring of 2006 I was astounded by scope and quality of the technical facilities, and we've expanded them significantly since then. In the graphic design and digital media area we have labs and classrooms with more than 150 high-end Macintosh computers, all equipped with the latest software for design, filmmaking, interactive media development, and more. In the game design and game art area, we have 80 top-of-the-line PC workstations running the latest game engine and 3D software. We have recently added 8 high-end fully equipped HD digital camera and light kits to our existing infrastructure that supports digital filmmaking (including dedicated editing systems). In support of our filmmaking and broadcast and streaming media work we have expanded our audio production and sound stage facilities as well.

Our students have outstanding internship opportunities locally, regionally and nationally. Our Emergent Media Center provides dozens of students each year (most of them paid) with the opportunity to work on real-life projects funded by the likes of IBM, CIMIT, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the United Nations Population Fund, and others.

In our efforts to stay in the leading edge, we're getting guidance from some of the best minds in the business world today. Our Advisory Council, which includes current students from each of our program areas, represents not only prominent communication and creative media professionals and alumni in the Burlington area, but also representatives from Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, New York, Montreal and beyond.

And let's not forget the quality of life in Burlington, Vermont. I've had the pleasure of growing up in Colorado, living and working in Seattle and Denver, and now settling in the beautiful state of Vermont. I can see why so many groups and publications rate Burlington as one of the best places in the nation to live — the range and quality of outdoor activities, the dynamic cultural life of Burlington, the proximity to major cities in the Northeast, and the independent spirit of Vermonters make all of us feel lucky to be here.

Champlain College is a special place. Come for a visit. You might find exactly what you are looking for.

Jeff Rutenbeck
Professor and Dean
Division of Communication and Creative Media