John Dessler – Faculty Advisor
John is a creative director, programmer, writer, entrepreneur, musician, performer, and digital/fine artist. He is currently special faculty at the ETC, Carnegie Mellon University teaching Visual Story/Communication, VR Story and Sound, Location-Based Entertainment, UI/UX Design, digital art and design. — He has been contracted by, and freelances for companies such as GE, NBC, Tyco, Heinz, and various museums and productions – specializing in visual communication and digital training. — In 1996 he founded The Outlet for Creativity, Inc. (a non-profit 501c3) in Rochester, PA, to foster and support the Arts. He served as president for 9 years. — He has been on numerous boards of economic and cultural development and has worked with many organizations including the American Cancer Society, Bridge to Recovery, Adult Literacy Action, Lending Hearts, and The Humane Society. — He was a featured speaker, performer, and on jury at numerous conferences including SIGGRAPH, GDC, and SXSW. — He was the creative director for Creative Services at the ETC where he designed and produced virtual interviews, games, exhibits, and interactions for clients such as Duquesne University, National Civil War Museum, and VERC. — He is a published playwright, winner of the Keystone Press and Telly awards, and is an accomplished studio and performing musician regularly showcased at the famous Blue Bird Café in Nashville, TN.
Ruth Comley – Faculty Advisor
Ruth Comley is an educator that has been teaching undergrad and graduate classes for 24 years in the areas of digital art, experience design, and project management. She has a Specialized Associates degree in Industrial Design, a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science, and a Masters of Entertainment degree in Entertainment Technology. Currently, Ruth is an Assistant Teaching Professor at Carnegie Mellon University where she teaches classes in Project Production, Digital Art, and Experience Design. She is also a Founding Member of Stage and Steel Productions and an active Board member of Striplight Community Theater. There she designs and produces seasonal festivals and events while also writing, producing, and directing theatrical plays.
Benjamin Sorrell – Cultural Advisor
He is Half Navajo and Half Choctaw of the Pearl River Band. He was born and raised in Gallup, New Mexico from there he studied for his BA in Ethnographic Anthropology with a minor in American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona where he also began his career in the field of museums. Currently, he is the Associate Registrar at The Navajo Nation Museum in Window Rock Arizona, where he oversees research, archives, collections, donations and cultural education.