Administration and Staff
GAME STUDIES faculty and administrative staff oversee our education programs, research grants, and other campus and community initiatives, including the PbD Fall and Spring symposiums, speaking events, and student-led game initiatives.
Lisa Bievenue
Director of Informatics Programs
bievenue@illinois.edu
“It is essential that game design programs are interdisciplinary.”
Judith Pintar
Director of Game Studies
jpintar@illinois.edu
“Game design is not restricted to games courses. I incorporate it into every course I teach, no matter the subject.”
Dan Cermak
Studio Director
dcermak@illinois.edu
“Games students need to be able to use the game technologies of tomorrow.”
Katryna Starks
Teaching Assistant Professor
kmstarks@illinois.edu
“Games are great for teaching, training, and assessment. Designing games teaches students about themselves and the world.”
Alex Damarjian
Teaching Associate Professor and Program Director for MS in Game and Interactive Media Development
alex79@illinois.edu
“Games are powerful tools that can teach, heal, and connect people through interactive experiences. They offer a unique way to share ideas, build empathy, and inspire change in the world.”
Susan Muirhead
Program Coordinator, MS in Game and Interactive Media Development
muirhea@illinois.edu
“Games enhance our creative thinking skills and make us more adept with technology. They remind us of the joy and escapism of play. They help us heal, bond with others, and are life affirming.”
