Subject Matter Experts at Ringling College of Art and Design
Ringling College’s faculty and staff are practicing artists, designers, leaders in industry, and educators on the cutting-edge of their fields.
Here you will find distinguished experts on a disparate range of topics: from West African textiles to macroeconomics to the history Sarasota. Their expertise spans skilled knowledge, critical thinking, and the humanities.
The faculty and staff members listed below are available to meet with members of the media for interviews and to comment on trending issues regionally and internationally. To speak with anyone listed below, contact the Office of Marketing and Communications. Members of the team will assist in making the introduction and scheduling the interview.
Contact Marketing and Communication
Available Subject Matter Experts:
Jeff Bleitz
Department Head, Graphic Design
Areas of expertise: Logo design and branding, packaging design, information graphics, typography and typeface design, publication design
Rick Dakan
Faculty, Creative Writing
Areas of expertise: Game writing, design, and development, interactive experience design, genre writing, comics
Lauren L. Dennis, MA, LMHC
Associate Director, Counseling Services
Areas of expertise: College student mental health, generational differences in development
Ed Gavin ’95
Faculty, Computer Animation
Areas of expertise: All aspects of the academic computer animation pipeline; modeling, texturing, animation, and lighting. Software, including Maya, ZBrush, Substance Painter, and Nuke
Dr. Genevieve Hill-Thomas
Faculty, Liberal Arts
Areas of expertise: African art; African fashion; African textiles; African art in museums; fiber arts; Mandé studies; Burkina Faso; non-profit development (particularly in West Africa)
Michael Hoffman
Faculty, Liberal Arts & Assistant Director, Academic Advising
Areas of expertise: International law, international human rights, political science (domestic and international), higher education administration, academic advising/student academic success
Dr. Chrystine Keener
Faculty, Liberal Arts
Areas of expertise: Renaissance studies, Islamic art and culture, pedagogy
Richard Krevolin
Faculty, Creative Writing
Areas of expertise: Storytelling, screenwriting, playwriting, and creative writing
Dr. Mary Ann Markey
Faculty, Liberal Arts
Areas of expertise: Active killers, mass murders in schools, workplaces, public venues and church; intra-family homicide, violence, domestic violence, biophilia, astrophilia, Space Society, Cosma Culture
Matt Myers
Faculty, First Year Studio Program
Areas of expertise: Figure drawing, Ringling College’s Figure Reference Library, costume design, theater design, and murals.
Dr. Pat Mizak
Assistant Vice President for Planning and Institutional Effectiveness
Higher education (general), accreditation, macroeconomics, international political economy
Martin Murphy
Department Head, Virtual Reality Development
Areas of expertise: Virtual Reality Development, CMF (Color, Design, Finish), real-time computer graphics
Sarafina Murphy-Gibson
Academic Affairs Model Coordinator
Areas of expertise: Musecraft, art modeling and figure drawing coordination, figure model life and the makings of a good model, physical storytelling and visual narratives, costume and prop management, designing themed art events, and talent recruitment/management
Dr. Christoper Nank
Faculty, Liberal Arts
Areas of expertise: American literature (mostly after 1900), Florida literature and media, contemporary literature in general, eco-criticism, monster/apocalypse imagery
E Ramey
Director, Recreation and Wellness
Areas of expertise: Health and wellness, esports
Jeff Schwartz
Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies
Areas of expertise: Curriculum, programing, INDEX, Illustration, painting, facilities, portfolios, community partnerships
Sylvia Whitman
Faculty, Creative Writing
Areas of expertise: children’s literature, including picture books; literary magazines; journaling for personal growth and creative development; copy editing
Dr. Christopher S. Wilson
Faculty, Liberal Arts
Areas of expertise: Sarasota School of Architecture, Sarasota history (in general), architectural history (in general), design history (including graphic design, fashion design, product design, etc), architecture in films, art history
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