Office and People Directory

Cooper Fellows

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jonathan Ferguson

Biography

Jonathan Ferguson, Assistant Professor, Game Design and Game Production, Division of Communications and Creative Media at Champlain College is a Game Designer and software freedom advocate. Prof. Ferguson has over 28 years of technology development experience, spanning careers in Cybersecurity, Software Development, Game Development, and Teaching.

Professor Ferguson maintains particular interests in free and open source software, game technology, game history and game preservation and access. Prof. Ferguson holds a Masters of Science in Managing Innovation in Information Technology from Champlain College.

Professor Ferguson is the creator of the Game History Collection at Champlain College. The mission of the Game History Collection is to preserve and provide access to historical games for study and play. This requires ongoing preservation and maintenance of game software, hardware and online platforms needed to replicate the experiences of historical games. Providing access to past experiences drives the preservation efforts of the Game History Collection in The Game Studio at Champlain College. The GHC offers access to thousands of games for students to study and play, providing direct access to original hardware, emulation, and hardware-reimplementation of games.

Since 2009, Prof. Ferguson has served as the Faculty Advisor for the 3 hours weekly project-based Free and Open Source Technology Club (FOTC) at Champlain College, offering weekly opportunities to explore and discuss software and hardware freedom. Over the 2022-2023 academic year, students built a small-scale (Beowulf) compute cluster, and learned about Amateur Radio and Electronics. Over 2024-2025 academic year, students engaged in learning about Software Defined Radio and the HamSCI project.

Professor Ferguson is also the Faculty advisor for the Juggling Club.

Read My CV

Distinctions & Awards

2021 John Lavallee Innovation Award

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

• ACM
• IEEE
• AAAS
• IGDA

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Cole Filson

Biography

Cole is the Health and Medical Office Coordinator at the Champlain College Student Health Center. He just recently started his position at Champlain College and as recent college graduate himself, lends a welcoming perspective to the students. In his free time, Cole enjoys being outdoors, photography, and listening to a wide range of music.

Hobbies

Photography, Music, Hiking

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jessica Fischer

Biography

Jessica Fischer teaches a section of Biology of Nutrition & Fitness. She attended University of Rhode Island for Nutrition & Dietetics with a focus on Sustainable Agriculture & Food Systems. She then attended UVM to complete her graduate studies in Dietetics. She is also a Clinical Dietitian at UVM Medical Center where she counsels a variety of adult populations with chronic diseases. She is passionate about nutrition and overall wellness through movement and time spent connecting with nature. In her free time she is an avid gardener, skier, and trail walker accompanied by her dog.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Scott Fleishman

Biography

Scott Fleishman is a seasoned professional in the broadcasting industry with over 20 years of experience behind and in front of the camera. He spent 11 years as a multimedia journalist and anchor at WCAX-TV in Burlington. With his versatile skill set, he has excelled in producing, anchoring, live reporting, and award-winning feature photography, covering all aspects of the newsroom.

In 2021, he embarked on a career transition, delving into the field of marketing. Initially serving as a Communications Specialist for Gifford Health Care in Randolph, Scott effectively utilized his extensive background to enhance the organization’s communication strategies.

Currently, he holds the position of Director of Social Media at DCD Automotive, overseeing the social media accounts of more than 25 prestigious auto dealerships. Demonstrating a deep understanding of digital marketing trends, Scott employs his creativity to engage audiences and spearhead impactful online campaigns.

Scott has showcased an exceptional ability to adapt to diverse professional environments throughout his career. His wealth of experience in broadcasting and marketing grants him a unique perspective, enabling him to create compelling narratives and deliver targeted messages that resonate with audiences.

Scott’s unwavering commitment to excellence continues to leave an indelible mark on the industries he explores. His passion for storytelling, nurtured through years in broadcasting and his innovative marketing acumen, positions him at the forefront of his field.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Scott remains dedicated to staying abreast of industry trends, exploring new technologies, and embracing creative challenges. His pursuit of personal growth and unwavering commitment to excellence fuel his continued success.

Scott Fleishman is an exceptional professional with an unparalleled skill set, leaving a lasting impact on both the broadcasting and marketing industries.

Distinctions & Awards

New England Emmy Award/5 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Tarn Foerg

Biography

Tarn Foerg’s identity is as a Social Worker. She holds a BSW, MSW, and is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LICSW). Tarn is the Social Work Program Director and Director of Applied Sustainability at Champlain College. This is her 15th year at Champlain College. Her professional practice experience spanned 12 years prior to teaching. Tarn’s clinical practice experience included extensive case-management and clinical support for children, youth and families as a direct service clinician in school social work with The Baird Center for Children and Families.

In addition to her active memberships in BPDonline, CSWE and NASW-VT. Tarn has provided many years of volunteer service including as a Executive Board member of the National Association of Social Workers-VT Chapter, the Nominations Committee of the Baccalaureate Program Directors, as a crisis volunteer for the Women’s Rape Crisis Center, fundraising efforts for the Committee on Temporary Shelter, and as an event coordinator for Lake Champlain Waldorf School. She was a Board president and volunteer for the Women’s Rape Crisis Center, served the older adult population at the Champlain Valley Agency on Aging, as community outreach educator regarding access to benefits and services, was co-director of a state-wide Senior Help-line and a quarterly columnist for local papers regarding issues for seniors and those who qualify for disability benefits. She has supervised MSW level interns as a field instructor for the University of Vermont and was a supervisor of School Social Work clinicians working in the largest mental health agency in Vermont. Tarn co-developed the Trauma Response Protocol for children and families to be implemented in crisis events in the largest county in Vermont and was a consultant to a local school district regarding anti-bullying and pro-social skills development for elementary aged children and held teacher in-services regarding implementation. Tarn has served as a Research Fellow for the Center for Community and Social Justice at Champlain College in 2021 exploring Emergency Response Systems for those in mental health crisis. In 2023, she led Research Assistants in her Fellowship focused on Banned Knowledge and Low Barrier Access to Content in Vermont schools.

She has taught Ethics in Human Services, Practicum I and II and the accompanying seminars, Crisis Intervention, Survey of Community Agency, Community Experience, Social Welfare Policy, Sexuality and Human Development. In her service to the college she has held roles in the creation of the College’s Women and Gender Center, on the Student Conduct Review Board, Curriculum Committee, Library and Academic Resources Committee, United Way Fundraising Committee, Service Learning Planning Committee, Learn2Listen/Listen2Learn, Faculty Club advisor for YarnForGood, the Social Work Phi Alpha Honor Society and DREAM. Tarn is also engaged in collaborative work with co-conspirators of NEW (Naming Educational Whiteness a group of colleagues whose guiding philosophy centers our work toward more equitable systems within education broadly, and within our individual disciplines more specifically.

Publications & Abstracts

Exploration of an alternative emergency response system: Vermont

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

Check out the various Social Work Associations to learn more about social work:

• IFSW
• NASW
• NABSW
• Demystifying Social Work: Dr. Geetanjali Ted Talk
• The Danger of A Single Story-Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie Ted Talk, Listen to this TedTalk to inspire you too think more deeply about how you see, truly see others as whole beings and how you to want to be seen.
• (divorcing) White Supremacy Culture-Coming Home to Who We Really Are by Tema Okun, Understanding the pervasive systemic behaviors, policies and practices that are imbedded in our institutional settings provides insights to disrupt and make necessary changes to achieve justice.

Favorite Quote

“If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping in a room with a mosquito.”

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Kimberly Ford

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Ian Fournier

Biography

Ian started at Champlain College in July 2017 as an Area Coordinator. In this role, Ian oversaw leadership skill development opportunities on campus through offerings such as Emerging Leaders, Lead like a Beaver, and the National Society of Leadership and Success.

Ian began serving Housing and Residential Life as an Assistant Director in July 2022. In this role, Ian oversees the Resident Advisor program on campus which includes hiring and training RAs for Main Campus and 194 Saint Paul.

What are your hobbies?

Video Games, Music, Learning

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

One of my favorite local eateries is Mandarin in Winooski, and I enjoy watching sunsets from campus!

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Darren Franklin

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

David Freyman

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Andrew Frost

Biography

Andrew Frost is a photographer, printer, bookmaker, and educator with over a decade of professional book and print experience.

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Sheila Fry

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Thomas Funk

Biography

Thomas Funk is a lifelong digital marketer and ecommerce business manager who joined Champlain College as a Visiting Assistant Professor of Marketing in 2020. He is currently an Adjunct Instructor teaching digital marketing and analytics.

His business background includes stints as Ecommerce Director at Ann Clark Ltd, Marketing Director at Gardener’s Supply Company, and Senior Manager of Keurig and Green Mountain Coffee where he led email marketing, paid search, SEO, the loyalty program and a 165K-member subscription business. As VP of Marketing at Timberline Interactive, he performed online marketing for Wine of the Month Club, Terry Precision Cycling, Lake Champlain Chocolates, VBT Bicycle Vacations, Garrett Wade, Dakin Farms and Liberty Orchards. Prior to Timberline, he helped build and manage the websites of Vermont Teddy Bear Company and PajamaGram.

Funk is frequent conference speaker and the author of three business books: Advanced Social Media Marketing (Apress), Social Media Playbook for Business (ABC-CLIO) and Web 2.0 and Beyond (Praeger).

Publications & Abstracts

Advanced Social Media Marketing: How to Lead, Launch, and Manage a Successful Social Media Program

Social Media Playbook for Business: Reaching Your Online Community with Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and More

Web 2.0 and Beyond: Understanding the New Online Business Models, Trends, and Technologies

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Matthew J Gagne

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page 

Jessie Leigh Gagnon (Hough)

Biography

Jessie is a passionate writer, producer, and anthropologist who lives for games, film, and interactive media. Her creative side has melted over and fused to her project management side, and she thrives on opportunities to solve problems, hit milestones, mentor others, and make a positive impact in the lives of people and projects. With over eleven years in the game industry, Jessie has worked on AAA titles like League of Legends and volunteers time for organizations like Women in Games. She has a track record of happy, healthy, interdisciplinary teams and successful projects that shipped with clarity of vision, data-informed decision making, and an empathetic, people-driven focus. A specialist in crunch prevention and conflict resolution, she dedicates much of her spare time these days to helping developers with traditionally marginalized identities learn to thrive in game development.

Distinctions & Awards

Lambda Alpha Anthropological Honors Society, Global Citizenship Certificate,

Publications & Abstracts

“Cosplay,” World Book Encyclopedia; 2014
“Escape from the Mainstream: The Japanese Cosplay Youth Subculture,” Franklin Pierce University; 2008, Temple University Japan; 2010

Professional & Scholastic Affiliations

American Anthropological Association

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• The Art of Game Design: A Book of Lenses, by Jesse Schell
• Agile Game Development, Clinton Keith
• The Little Book of Hygge, Meik Wiking

Favorite Quote

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

—Margaret Mead

• Copy Link to Share 
• View this Person's Detail Page