Pairing business, technology and creativity, our students come to the heart of Silicon Valley to deepen and grow their passions. The result? A skilled and dynamic community with a social life that is surprisingly robust.
Immersive, collaborative and designed to unlock your creativity—for over 130 years USV has been helping people turn their passion into their professions. Today, it’s your turn. Explore our program offerings to help you develop the skills you need for the job you’ll love.
A Lead Designer at Riot Games, Stone has worked in the game industry for over 15 years on games such as SimCity, Spore, and Diablo 3.
Evan Skolnick has over 25 years of combined story and game development experience at world-class entertainment companies such as Marvel, Activision and Lucasfilm.
To learn more about our faculty and academic leadership, read through some of their bios, featuring accomplishments in the fields of business, arts, and technology.
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Bineet Sharma
Director of Computer Science Assistant Professor
M.S., Computer Science Southern Illinois University
M.S., Mining Engineering Southern Illinois University
B.Tech Indian Institute of Technology
Concuity Epiphany National Data Corporation Soffront
Bineet Sharma is a seasoned technologist with 30+ years of experience in technical architecture, upper level management, professional teaching, and entrepreneurship. He is passionate about teaching—he has taught hundreds of computer classes in various Silicon Valley campuses including UCB-Extension, UCSC-extension, and University of Phoenix, since 1996. He is program chair of computer programming certification in UCSC-Extension, Silicon Valley Campus.
Dr. Adam Ruch
Interim Provost & Chief Academic Officer Associate Professor
PhD in Media and Communications Macquarie University
BA (Honours) in Digital Cultures University of Sydney
The Department of Arts and Sciences is led by Dr. Adam Ruch, who holds a PhD in Media and Communications. His research focuses on videogames as art, media, and culture.
Peter Overstreet
Department Director of Digital Art & Animation Adjunct Professor
BA in Illustration San Jose State University
Disney, Garden of Eden Entertainment, Paramount’s Great America, Konami, EA, and Sony
Peter Overstreet is a professional experiential entertainment designer, illustrator, animator, writer and director. Wearing his many hats as an entertainment design generalist – his work has been seen in print, comics, toys, film, television, video games, and in live entertainment venues.
Ricardo T. Kayanan
Director of Game Design & Development Assistant Professor
B.F.A. Illustration and Communication Design Otis Art Institute
THQ, Activision/Blizzard
Ricardo brings over ten years of gaming industry experience to USV. He’s worked at THQ and Activision Blizzard as a 3D characters artist.
Xo Xinh Nguyen
Director of Audio and Music Technology Associate Professor
MFA Electronic Music Mills College
Thuý Nga Productions, Ha Tran Productions
Acclaimed Vietnamese American electronic musician with numerous collaborations in many top chart records of Vietnamese acclaimed artists.
Bhanu Viswanadha
Faculty Adjunct Professor
Masters in Mathematics Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, India
Master of Technology in Mathematical Modeling Simulation from University of Pune, India
NetApp, APL Ltd
Bhanu Viswanadha, PMP,PMI-ACP, CSM, SASM, SA, POPM, SDP, DASM, DASSM, TOGAF, KMP1, CSaSP, CCSK is currently working as IT Architect at NetApp. Previous positions include Program Manager at a major retail and healthcare company and Technical Leader at APL Ltd.
Christian Sasso
M.S., Computer Networks Politecnico di Torino
B.S., Software Engineering Politecnico di Torino
B.S., Game Design Engineering University of Silicon Valley
Cisco Systems Atlanet Softek Nest Labs Ericsson
Christian (Chris) is the founder of Heroic Arcade, a studio specializing in virtual and augmented reality experiences, which in 2015 won the Best in Show award at the Google Tango Competition.
Deep Shrivastava
M.S. Computer Information Systems
B.S. Electronics and Communication Engineering
NS Institute of Technology, India
BITS, India
Escorts Telecom Ltd. National Informatics Center
Deep Shikha Shrivastava brings over two decades of teaching experience to USV.
Dr. Daniel E. Lockhart
DBA in Strategic Management and Marketing University of Kentucky
MBA West Virginia University
Bachelor of Arts in Business, Finance, and Accounting Davis and Elkins College
Dr. Lockhart has lead various executive education sessions and consulted with corporations such as US West, Posolite Corporation, CSX, Dick Simon Trucking, and numbers small business startups.
Dr. Daniel E. Lockhart is an adjunct instructor at the University of Silicon Valley. He holds a Doctor of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky specializing in Strategic Management and Marketing. He also earned a Master of Business Administration from West Virginia University in Morgantown, West Virginia and an undergraduate degree in Business, Finance, and Accounting from Davis and Elkins College in Elkins, West Virginia. Dr. Lockhart has held several teaching, research, and administration positions. He is currently the Master of Business Administration Director at Midway University. Dr. Lockhart was an Assistant Dean at Zayed University Dubai of the United Arab Emirates for eight years.
Evan Skolnick
Faculty Professor of Practice
B.A. English, Journalism, Graphic Design
University of Connecticut
Activision LucasArts Electronic Arts Disney Ubisoft Kabam
Irv Kalb
M.S. Computer Science West Coast University
B.S. Computer Science Rutgers University
Convergent Technologies Apple Acuson
Irv Kalb has been teaching software development and computer-based training since 2010.
Isabell Fearnsby
Faculty Associate Professor
B.A. History UC Santa Cruz
MFA Figurative Painting Academy of Art University
Isabell Fearnsby, professional oil painter and teacher, is known for her creative vision and love of collaboration.
Jayeeta Sinha
M.S. Mathematics Tezpur University, India
B.S. Mathematics Dibrugarh University, India
B.E. Dibrugarh University, India
An organized professional with more than 6 years of teaching experience with an ability to improve student’s critical thinking and problem solving skills, Jayeeta Sinha can explain complicated Mathematical concepts in an easily understandable manner.
Julius Dobos
Faculty Distinguished Professor
Weiner Leo Music School, Budapest
B.S. Electrical Engineering Kando Kalman University, Budapest
Sony Pictures / Happy Madison Discovery Channel Cartoon Network Roland Corp. The Creative Shop Member of AES, BMI and ARTISJUS
With over two decades of professional experience as an award-winning composer of electronic and film music, sound synthesist, sound designer & audio engineer, Julius Dobos is internationally known for his work in major motion pictures and television shows (such as You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, Zookeeper, Mall Cop, DragonBall Z), in new media, advertising and sound installations.
Kay Combs
EdD in Educational Leadership Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Master of Arts in Adult Education Western Kentucky University, Bowling Green, Kentucky
Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management with emphasis in Human Resources Midway College, Midway, Kentucky
Associate of Arts in Business Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond, Kentucky
KC Educational Consulting, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky Skills U
Kay was born in San Francisco, California, but has made Kentucky her home for over thirty years. She landed in Kentucky after traveling and living in several states and a few countries as her father was a seasoned Army veteran. Kay lives in the beautiful horse country of Kentucky on the outskirts of Lexington, Kentucky where she raised her son.
Nick Fortino
Ph.D. East West Psychology California Institute of Integral Studies
M.A. Psychology Sofia University
B.S. Health and Exercise Science Sacramento State University
Nick Fortino is a psychology professor, researcher, and theorist who believes in the power of learning psychology for individual and social evolution.
Phil Campbell
BA (Hons) DipArch in Architecture Brookes University, Oxford, UK
MA in Architecture Oxford Brookes University
Eidos, Electronic Arts, Zynga
Philip Campbell has been designing interactive entertainment for over 30 years – as an architect, writer, game creator and designer.
Preeti Mohindru
Faculty Full Professor
Ph.D., Applied Mathematics University of Guelph, Canada
M.S., Mathematics (Honors) Panjab University, India
M.S., Applied Mathematics University of Guelph, Canada
In her doctoral program, Preeti Mohindru solved a famous mathematical problem which had gone unsolved for twenty years. As an instructor, her aim is to develop students’ problem solving skills, to ensure that they understand relevant concepts and to encourage them to communicate mathematical results and ideas clearly.
Reid Winfrey
A.A. Art Cabrillo College
B.A. Art UC Davis
M.F.A. Printmaking/Painting San Jose State University
Reid Winfrey approaches realism in terms of the challenge of creating images that have “painterliness,” or the sensuality of paint and color and obvious hand of the painter.
Richard Chuang
B.S. Electrical Engineering UC Davis
Pic 2 Pacific Data Images Dreamworks Animation
Professor Richard Chuang serves as Chief Executive Officer of PIC2. Mr. Chuang is a Co-Founder of Pacific Digital Image (PDI) Dreamworks Animation Studios.
Rosie Katz
B.A. Computer Video Imaging and Character Animation
University of Silicon Valley
Electronic Arts
Activison/Sledgehammer Games
Rosie Katz comes to USV bringing eleven years of experience working in the Game industry.
Seth Gillespie
Project, Program and Engagement Management Adjunct Professor
Ph.D. in Organization and Management Capella University
MBA with an emphasis in Technology Management UPOX
B.S. in Molecular Biology with Minor in Economics UC San Diego
Apple, Chiron, Dell, Siemens, Chevron, Pfizer, Lucasfilm LTD (the parent company of Industrial Light & Magic and LucasArts)
Dr. Seth J. Gillespie is a popular educator, speaker, lecturer and subject matter expert in a variety of fields with over 20 years of real-world experience.
Tania Peitzker
Faculty Faculty Adjunct Professor of Metaverses and Interfaces
PhD, B.A. Hons & part LLB. Law, English, Cultural Studies at the University of Potsdam (post grad), Germany; Uni QLD, Australia (undergrad). Q. Inst. Pa. (Qualified Paralegal in Emerging Technologies & Intellectual Property, Commercial Law, Contracts). Institute of Paralegals, IoP London.
Tania’s reputation in industry is wide and varied, just see her
Tania Peitzker is a globally active technologist: innovating, writing and teaching at corporate events, educational conferences and governmental policy thinktank.
Van Phan
B.A. in Psychology/Economics UCLA
M.F.A. Animation/Film University of Southern California
Dreamworks. Industrial Light and Magic, Naughty Dog, Blue Sky, 2K games, Activision, Sony Imageworks
Van Phan’s interests in teaching comes from his love for storytelling, animation, and learning. His multidisciplinary background and breadth of experiences have given him a unique perspective and teaching pedagogy.
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