Student

Anna Needler

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Class	2021
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Vermont

Internship

McSoley McCoy & Co. in South Burlington, VT

Favorite Class

Financial and Economic Modeling

Post-Grad Job

Staff Accountant at McSoley McCoy & Co

What do you like about your program?

My advisor, Nicole Morris, believed in me right from the beginning. I had her as a professor for one of my classes in my first semester during my first year, and I have her now in my last semester at Champlain. She’s been consistently supportive for all four years. Many of my classmates have had the same experience with their advisors. I really have appreciated her believing in me and her guidance.

How has Core changed your perspective?

Core gave me the opportunity to hear perspectives from people with broader experiences than I have. My Core professors were some of the best people I’ve ever known. Being such a close-knit community allowed for people—including the professors—to share their genuine selves. I will forever be impacted by my Core experiences.

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

One thing I didn’t expect was how beneficial the Career Collaborative is. Pat Boera helps every student in the Robert P Stiller School of Business literally every single step of the way in finding their place in the professional world. She helped me build a LinkedIn profile and resumé, she guided me through accounting recruiting season, and conducted my mock interview and gave detailed feedback.

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Demetrius Nekos

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Game Programming Degree
Class	2023

Advice to Students?

Reach out to peers and professors frequently. Extra sets of eyes can help get through difficult problems.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Book: Monday Begins on Saturday by Boris and Arkady Strugatsky

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Ellie Newman

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Applied Mathematics Degree
Class	2025
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers

Advice to Students?

Don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Favorite: Book, Movie, Podcast?

Movie: Catch Me If You Can

Inspirational Quote?

“Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day.” – Alice Morse Earle

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Michelle Nie

School/Division	Division of Information Technology & Sciences
Programs	Game Programming Degree
Class	2022
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Massachusetts

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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Keegan Nilsson

Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2026

Why do you want to be a tutor?

Because I love what I do and understand how hard it was when I first started.

Advice to Champlain Student?

You get out what you put in.

Fun Fact

I play hockey.

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Ainsley Norris

Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2028
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I love mentoring people, I find a lot of joy in being able to teach and guide.

Advice to Champlain Student?

If you’re on the fence about going out or staying in, go out!

Fun Fact

I am the president of the D&D&TTRPGs Club!

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Skylie O’Connor-Russo

Programs	Psychology Degree
Class	2029
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I decided to become a tutor because I enjoy reading and writing, as well as helping my peers.

Advice to Champlain Student?

Join clubs and groups, go to events, talk to people in your dorm and classes, and don’t procrastinate on assignments.

Fun Fact

I became an ordained minister because I was bored one night.

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Alexa O’Kane

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Class	2021
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	New York

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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Deris O’Malley

Programs	Computer Science & Innovation Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I enjoy helping others and problem solving through programming problems.

Advice to Champlain Students?

Explore your field beyond your classes.

Fun Fact

I enjoy 3D web development.

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Matthew O’Neill

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Design Degree
Class	2027
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Why do you want to be a tutor?

I want to share the things I’ve learned during my time here and inspire people to enjoy game development.

Advice to Champlain Student?

Be very aware of the scope of your game projects. Overscoping is an easy way to get overwhelmed/burnt out and not finish what you’re working on.

Fun fact

Godot is my primary game engine of choice!

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Austin Oliver

School/Division	Robert P. Stiller School of Business
Class	2023
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	Vermont

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

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Design Degree
Class	2018
Pronouns	She/Her/Hers
Home State	Pennsylvania
Study Abroad	Montreal, Canada

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

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Art Degree
Class	2018
Pronouns	He/Him/His
Home State	New Hampshire
Study Abroad	Montreal, Canada

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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Zevon Pagano

School/Division	Division of Communication & Creative Media
Programs	Game Design Degree
Class	2029
Pronouns	They/Them/Theirs
Home State	Pennsylvania

How did you apply to Champlain?

Early Action

Why I Chose Champlain

Distinguishing game design and game programming meant I would be able to spend more time designing games rather than learning tech I didn’t understand.

Ideal Weekend in Burlington

Lazy weekend with Dunkin and Minecraft, and maybe a little bit of homework getting done late at night.

Favorite Champlain Memory

My friends and I went to an event where we got to adopt stuffed animals and give them shirts. Mine is an owl and sleeps on my bed.

One piece of advice for students going through the college search process

Find a hobby you’re passionate about enough to pursue as a career, and get another hobby completely unrelated to stay sane.

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Dylan Pallatroni

Class	2026
Pronouns	He/Him/His

Why do you want to be a tutor?

Helps find a job.

Advice to Champlain Student?

Make a schedule and follow it

Fun Fact

I’ve never had surgery

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