By Preston Banas ’24
We asked students at the Emergent Media Center (EMC) about their experience working in the EMC this semester and their plans for the future.
What is your favorite memory working in the EMC this past semester?
“I would have to say my favorite memory is when our team held our first in-person brainstorm session with all students present. This was really great to have after the past year and then some need to do a lot of teamwork online/virtual. It was awesome to be in the same space as others and collaborate in person. Our team also flowed together really smoothly during this session which allowed us to get a lot of work done in a short amount of time.”
Christian Roby, Game Design, 2022, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
“Meeting the kids on sight at the KSC (King Street Center Design)! It was really fun to be able to actually be able to learn about the people we were helping.”
Alina Coffey, Game Art, 2023, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
Have you learned anything unexpected or out of the ordinary from students, staff, faculty, or stakeholders during your time in the EMC this semester?
“I’ve had a multiage classroom experience before, but working with Prof. Novotny on her (EMC fellowship) project with Hunt Middle School has been intriguing to observe. I didn’t expect middle school students to keep up with college students as well as they did, and I now have a deeper understanding of the benefits of multiage learning.”
Eli Zhou, Graphic Design & Visual Communication, 2023, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
“Lots of things, but I think the most important thing I have learned was how to work with people outside of the game studio in a production job. Working with psychology majors and doctors to understand how to work with parameters beyond the scope of making a game that is fun for an audience, but having to make a tool for a study that can not lead a player too strongly in any direction is a challenge but has been a major learning opportunity.”
Bram Costello, Game Production Management, 2022, Producer
WellBe OVR team
“I learned about the amount of thoughtful research that can be put into designing for a challenge before a solution is even proposed. Finding out about the nature of the problem and the nature of the solution helps immeasurably rather than randomly trying things out until one idea fits well enough. “
Jake Tolchin, undeclared, 2025, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
“This wasn’t exactly a surprise, but I have noticed that we can get a lot of really amazing work done when in an environment that engages us and promotes a sense of self-efficacy.”
Addie Anderson, Psychology, 2024, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
If you could only name one great thing about the EMC or working in the EMC, what would it be?
“The great thing about the EMC is that you are able to make connections to fellow students in the industry, who you might not otherwise meet in your classes!”
Katherine Townsend, Game Art and Animation, 2023, 3D Artist
WellBe OVR team
“Learning how to work with deadlines just how you would in a media company setting. “
Emily Poreda, Filmmaking, 2022, Video Producer
EMC Video team
“The collaboration from my colleagues because the feedback I get when working on a project helps me know where I need to improve things in my work.”
Katelyn Panzer, Communication Major Specializing in Public Relations, 2022,
EMC Communication Intern
What experience are you most appreciative for that occurred within the EMC this past semester?
“This semester I am most appreciative of the Halloween party and getting to see so many EMC folks having a good time all together.”
Bram Costello, Game Production Management, 2022, Producer
WellBe OVR team
“I’m most appreciative of the relationship between my work here and the classes I’m taking, as these skills are now grounding themselves within me.”
Jake Tolchin, undeclared, 2025, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
What are you most looking forward to about the end of this semester?
“I’ve been pretty busy throughout this semester, so I’m eagerly looking forward to getting a break from class projects during winter break. “
Eli Zhou, Graphic Design & Visual Communication, 2023, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
“That feeling of accomplishment when I reflect on everything I finished this semester.”
Alina Coffey, Game Art, 2023, Human Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
How would you describe your perfect fall break?
“Enough time to relax, time with my pets at home and plenty of food.”
Emily Poreda, Filmmaking, 2022, Video Producer
EMC Video team
“Spending time with my friend who was away at military training, and spending time with family.”
Colin Owens, Game Art, 2025, Studio Lab Technician
EMC Lab Tech
How do you intend to make an impact on the world in the next year?
“I once heard someone say, “if you help somebody, you help everybody.” I don’t necessarily have the power to end world hunger, but I think smaller actions like helping a stranger carry something heavy or being there for people you care about makes a huge difference, at least in your own social circle and community. That’s a standard I want to uphold for the rest of my life; helping others simply because it’s the right thing to do.”
Eli Zhou, Graphic Design & Visual Communication, 2023, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
“My goals for the next year are to continue working on great teams and making exciting projects – I really want to use the next year to develop my creative and professional skills so that I can deliver my best self when I join the workforce after graduation. In doing so, I hope to make more valuable connections with my peers so that we can enter an industry together that is supportive and welcoming.”
Katherine Townsend, Game Art and Animation, 2023, 3D Artist
WellBe OVR team
“By next year I will be working out in the world and taking all the experience I’ve gotten at Champlain and at the EMC to my job as a producer!”
Bram Costello, Game Production Management, 2022, Producer
WellBe OVR team
“I’d really like to try and get more involved with my local community wherever that is. Being able to work with the King Street Center this semester has been a blast, and being able to help these students is an added bonus!”
Christian Roby, Game Design, 2022, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
“I intend to put thoughtful effort into making myself a more kind and considerate person, which hopefully will make those I interact with feel comfortable and appreciated as people. I will also try to keep up with my studies, and think about what I want to do in my life that will fulfill me.”
Jake Tolchin, undeclared, 2025, Human-Centered Designer
EMC Faculty Fellowship Design Challenge team
“I plan on creating things that make other people happy. I want to be able to use my talents to bring something bright into a world that is often very bleak.”
Alina Coffey, Game Art, 2023, Human Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
“I intended to do my best in all I do and hope that it encourages people to do the same.”
William Burkert, Filmmaking, 2024, Podcast Producer
Champlain College Center of Community & Social Justice Podcast Team
“I want to create films that allow people to heal and connect. I plan to create a short film that promotes healing for those affected by eugenics. As I work to promote my short film I hope watching it will help people to be able to grow and heal. “
Emily Poreda, Filmmaking, 2022, Video Producer
EMC Video team
“Grow my art page and continue to try to build the art community.”
Colin Owens, Game Art, 2025, Studio Lab Technician
EMC Lab Tech
“I plan on getting a job with a public relations agency so I can help spread the mission of the company I’m working with.”
Katelyn Panzer, Communication Major Specializing in Public Relations, 2022,
EMC Communication Intern
“The impact that I want to make on the world in the coming year is the same one that I try to make every day: do what I can to make someone’s day a little bit better.”
Addie Anderson, Psychology, 2024, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
How are you inspired by your colleagues at the EMC?
“The work I see all teammates and colleagues putting in makes me want to be there and be making something interesting and exciting!”
Bram Costello, Game Production Management, 2022, Producer
WellBe OVR team
“I see a lot of great work and young minds like myself. As we are working together with a common goal to gain knowledge and experience that week can take with us for our future careers.”
Emily Poreda, Filmmaking, 2022, Video Producer
EMC Video team
Has the EMC been a positive experience for you in regards to your well-being? If yes, How?
“It is a very collaborative experience, it gives me a good working environment that is supportive and beneficial to my learning.”
Emily Poreda, Filmmaking, 2022, Video Producer
EMC Video team
“Working at the EMC has been a positive experience for my well-being because I feel confident in my ability as a young professional to work with a team in an office setting to apply my education and do work that positively impacts a community.”
Addie Anderson, Psychology, 2024, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
What is one thing that you are looking forward to this upcoming winter break?
“Free time to catch up on some podcasts that I’ve been meaning to listen to.”
Addie Anderson, Psychology, 2024, Human-Centered Designer
King Street Center Design Challenge team
The EMC staff and students wish everyone a happy and restful winter break! We are overjoyed to have been able to work and collaborate in person.