Office and People Directory

Rachel Hooper

Biography

As a Creative Media Faculty member at Champlain College, Rachel Hooper teaches a range of courses including Human-Centered Design, Creative Media, and Video Game Production. She empowers students to seek patterns, connect dots, and imagine new futures by using data and empathy to uncover and define problems worth solving.

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Miriam Horne

Biography

With a PhD from the Faculty of Education at McGill University in Composition and Rhetoric, Miriam has been teaching in the Core Division at Champlain College since 2008. She is a full professor and the Assistant Dean for Adjunct Support in the Core Division. As a professor, Miriam has taught a range of classes from introductory rhetoric, to service-learning travel courses in Nicaragua, to partnering on a senior capstone in criminal justice. Her teaching philosophy aligns writing with ways of learning in interdisciplinary settings and she encourages students to push their thinking in new directions through hands on learning (such as baking bread) and non-traditional course content (like the rhetoric of recipes). In her research, Miriam prioritizes the scholarship of teaching and learning (SoTL) in areas ranging from civic discourse to collective writing practices, and, most recently the intersections between weaving and pedagogy. Her work has been published in The International Journal of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, College Teaching, and Writing in Knowledge Societies. As an assistant dean, Miriam is privileged to work with adjunct faculty and support their teaching in the interdisciplinary liberal arts program known as the Core.

Publications & Abstracts

• Writing in the Knowledge Society
• Writing in a Community of Practice
• Reading in a New Age
• Promoting a Deliberative and Active Citizenry

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Amy Howe

Biography

Amy Howe has been an interdisciplinary educator for 20+ years. Her experience includes designing and teaching undergraduate and graduate courses in gender studies, general education, critical theory, American studies, and the study of religion at Harvard, Brown, Middlebury, Smith, and now at Champlain College. Before her graduate studies and teaching career, she held a nonprofit career managing California- and nationally-based youth-led community organizing projects for underrepresented communities. In 2019, she earned her doctorate from the Harvard Graduate School of Arts and Sciences in the study of religion (religion, gender, culture). She also serves as the Academic Director of Women, Gender, and Representation for Smith’s summer Precollege Programs.

Over the last five years at Champlain, Amy Howe has taught widely across the Core Division. Her leadership in innovative curricula and classroom design and leadership, student support, and involvement in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice issues earned her the Francine Page Teaching Excellence in 2021. Centered on experiential learning techniques, she regularly engages students in community partnerships in rural humanities, digital humanities, and racial and gender social justice issues.

Amy Howe not only remains incredibly proud of being the first in her family to pursue higher education, but she is also a relentless advocate for students who navigate first-generation lives. In her free time, Howe loves spending time with her two dogs, growing house plants (too many these days), crafting, exploring new outdoor spaces, and enjoying circus arts.

Favorite Quote

“The paradox of education is precisely this—that as one begins to become conscious one begins to examine the society in which one is being educated.”

—James Baldwin

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Ken Howell

Biography

Ken Howell is an Associate Professor in the Division of Communication & Creative Media, where he teaches in multiple programs. He started teaching at Champlain as an adjunct in 2006, having previously taught at the New York University Steinhardt School and New Jersey City University.

Ken has been working with Champlain’s Emergent Media Center (EMC) since 2008. He has worked on an array of projects, including the UNFPA Game to Prevent Violence Against Women and IBM Virtual Worlds project. Along with support from the EMC, Ken recently served as Faculty Advisor for the Sandbox team, a group of students exploring new and novel forms of human-computer interaction. Work from that team has been exhibited at the Chicago Design Museum, the Game Developers conference, and many other venues internationally. He also works with a group of artists called the Illumination Collective, exploring digitally controlled lighting as a means of art making.

In addition to teaching, Ken has been an independent Interaction Designer and Developer for over twenty years, and has worked on such broad-ranging brands as Urban Outfitters, Rossignol, Pantene, and Skittles. He is also active in the Maker Movement, and is a founding board member of Generator Makerspace

When he is not working or teaching, Ken enjoys drawing, painting, tinkering in his laboratory, taking care of his Bonsai trees, and all things outdoors.

Curriculum Vitae

READ MY CV

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Jimena Huaco

Biography

Jimena is a member of the Institutional Research team at Champlain under the Provost Office. Jimena provides analysis for institutional metrics and data reporting. She’s been part of the Champlain family since 2008 when she joined as an undergraduate student. After receiving her bachelor’s degree, she later became a Financial Sophistication Specialist educating Champlain students on personal finance topics. Before joining the IR team, Jimena managed Champlain’s extracurricular career education program called InSight. During this time, she discovered her passion for data, and data-driven decision-making. She completed her MBA from Champlain College in 2018, and in 2024 she completed a graduate certificate in Data Science.

What are your hobbies?

I enjoy mountain biking and gardening. In winter, I like to winter hike or to pick up a new craft.

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

My new favorite local spots are the Mini Factory in downtown Bristol, and lulu’s ice cream in Vergennes.

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Maggie Hunter

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Matt Huwiler

Biography

Matt Huwiler is a seasoned web developer with over two decades of experience at Champlain College, currently serving as a senior-level Web Developer in the Information Systems department. His work spans SSO management, custom reporting, cloud infrastructure, React Native development, and online payment forms.

Matt is also an Adjunct Professor for Champlain College 足彩胜负14场, teaching courses in JavaScript, iOS development, web media, and animation. Passionate about online education, he enjoys empowering students with practical skills.

Based in Michigan, Matt remains closely connected to the Champlain community, with aspirations of returning to Vermont. In his free time, he explores emerging technologies like AI and DLTs and enjoys physical fitness, chess, and skiing.

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Susan Jacques

Biography

Susan is a Nurse Practitioner at the Student Health Center. She has worked at Champlain College for 7 years and has been a Nurse Practitioner for over 30 years with experience in primary care, women’s health and college health.

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Benjamin Jelter

Biography

Ben Jelter is an illustrator, game designer, and instructor. He has created a large number of independent comics and video games over his career. His last release was The Machine, published through Incube8 games. His next published game will be Unearthed, an expanded version of the game that won GBCompo21. It will be published through Limited Run Games.

Recommended Reading, Listening & Viewing

• Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, 2005)
• Ikaruga (Arcade, 2001)
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds (3DS, 2013)

Favorite Quote

“If the professors of English will complain to me that the students who come to the universities, after all those years of study, still cannot spell “friend,” I say to them that something’s the matter with the way you spell friend.”

—Richard Feynman

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Sarah Jerger

Biography

Sarah Jerger currently serves as the Director of the Emergent Media Center (EMC) at Champlain College. Having joined Champlain College in January 2008, she is a founding member of the EMC, which is committed to educating and inspiring students through hands-on experiences developing creative media solutions for real-world challenges. She leads visioning and goal setting, strategic communications, successful student outcomes, budgetary and management operations, strong community partnerships through sponsorships and grants, and fosters a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Jerger holds a Master’s degree from Champlain College in Emergent Media. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Business and two Associate’s degrees in Multimedia & Graphic Design and Public Relations & Media Communications.

Jerger’s previous experience includes communications, operations, graphic design, and media-buying in the advertising, beverage, and real estate industries. Sarah is a multi-disciplinary artist with a passion for making and craft, which she explores intertwining with digital means of expression. Her work spans (for now) textile art, digital storytelling, mixed-media collage, video, and wearable electronics. She also operates and curates a Free Little Art Gallery, a community-driven project to make art more accessible and nurture creativity.

What are your hobbies?

Mixed media art, hiking, nature, cooking, taking classes & learning new things, procrastinating folding laundry

Favorite local eateries and things to do in Vermont:

Devil Takes a Holiday, Kate’s Food Truck, Jericho Cafe & Tavern, Spot on the Dock // Palmer Lane Maple for creemees, hikes around Indian Brook Reservoir, South End Art Hop in September, shows at the Monkey House, Vermont Comedy Club, concerts at Snow Farm Vineyard in South Hero

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Chikomborero Jeso

Biography

Chikomborero (Chiko) Jeso graduated from Champlain College in December of 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration; Chiko continued his education at Champlain College, and completed a Bachelor of Science degree in Cybersecurity in May of 2024. During his time at Champlain he has also worked as a Data Intern, Course Producer, and Senior Enrollment Operations Coordinator.

He really likes making processes more efficient and solving problems, and he also found joy in working with numbers in Excel and Google Sheets.

In his free time Chiko reads cybersecurity articles, watches videos about cybersecurity and computer hardware, and continues to learn about different business topics online. Chiko also loves making music, and he enjoys watching comedy and action movies. He may also watch a rom-com once in a while, don’t tell anyone.

Hobbies

Making music, cooking, fixing computer and network settings, thinking about cybersecurity, the economy, and the state of the world, making jokes that are definitely funny

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Mark Johnson

Biography

Mark Johnson has had a 40-year career in Vermont journalism as a reporter, editor and talk show host. Johnson has worked at the Eagle Times in Springfield, the 足彩胜负14场 Free Press, the Vanguard Press, VTDigger.org and Seven Days as a reporter, editor and columnist. For 25 years, he hosted an influential political and general interest two-hour daily talk show on WKDR and WDEV radio stations. He also served as a regular panelist and guest host on Vermont Public Television’s weekly roundtable news show “Vermont This Week.” He and his wife, Lauren-Glenn Davitian, the founder of Town Meeting Television, and their daughter, Stella Rose, live in 足彩胜负14场.

Distinctions & Awards

Vermont Association of Broadcasters Distinguished Service Award 2012

Favorite Quote

“Seek first to understand, then to be understood.”

—Steven Covey

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Max Johnson

Recommended Reading

• The Sound Effects Bible by Ric Viers
• The Foley Grail by Vanessa Theme Ament
• Aaron Marks’ Complete Guide to Game Audio

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Danni Johnson

Biography

Danni is a creative writer, editor, and digital designer who graduated from Champlain College with a BFA in Creative Media as Summa Cum Laude. She was born in Honesdale Pennsylvania and grew up in a small town of 1800 people before moving to California with her husband Sam and two cats, Wonton and Nori.

Her journey in storytelling equipped her with a passion for crafting compelling and meaningful narratives worthy of remembering. She nurtured a keen understanding of the profound impact storytelling can have and is driven by a passion for creating stories that forge lasting connections and evoke emotions.?While studying, Danni worked as a student worker for the Marketing Department at Champlain and the Miller Information Commons Library, and continued contracting for her alma mater after graduating before accepting a position as an Assistant Content Producer at Champlain. She specializes in CMS, web design, web administration, writing and editing, and digital content.

She enjoys crocheting, playing narrative-driven games, listening to music, and sipping the occasional hot cup of tea from her vast collection of teapots.

Distinctions & Awards

2022 Champlain College – “William J. Everts Jr. Wild and Outside Award”

2022 Champlain College – Division of Communication and Creative Media “Excel Award”

Publications & Abstracts

Darkfire Chronicles Podcast

Apples – 2019, Wingless Dreamer Poetry Anthology

Attack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Blackjack – 2021, Willard & Maple

Snowman – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

Postage – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

It’s Just an Actor – 2021, The Haunted Horrorstorian

What are your hobbies?

Reading & writing, listening to music, skiing, crocheting, playing video games, and 3D printing/painting.

Favorite Local Eateries

Dobra Tea, Gaku Ramen, and Three Needs on Church Street!

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Eric Jollymore

Biography

Eric is an enthusiastic digital forensics instructor who is passionate about exploring how technology works and discovering the information that can be extracted from it. With a strong commitment to research and testing, he brings an enthusiastic and hands-on approach to his teaching.

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