Innovation Hub Staff and Leadership

Innovation Hub Faculty

Our full-time boots-on-the-ground team of experts that make the magic happen and teach our innovation courses.

  • Ken Baldauf Headshot

    Ken Baldauf, MS

    Founding Director, Teaching Faculty III

    Ken oversees all aspects of the hub, facilitates strategic planning, and serves to nurture and grow FSU’s innovation ecosystem. He teaches Design Thinking and Systems Thinking. The Director serves on the Steering Committee, and as an innovation Catalyst.

  • Eric Adams, MFA

    Asst. Director Digital Fabrication, Instructional Specialist

    Eric is our maker extraordinaire. If you can imagine it, Eric can help design and fabricate it. Erics works with students and faculty on fabrication projects, supervises our Fablab Interns, while maintaining and expanding Fablab capabilities and services. He teaches Design Thinking and prototyping classes.

  • Jackson Anderson, MS

    Asst. Director, New and Immersive Media, Instructional Specialist

    Jackson manages the Rubini New and Immersive Media Design Lab, teaches Immersive Media classes, and is developing an interdisciplinary program in New and Immersive Media Design.

  • Wes Dorce Headshot

    Wes Dorce, MS

    Asst. Director, Experiential Learning, Instructional Specialist

    Wes manages most of the Innovation Hub’s co-curricular activities, he utilizes his design skisuperpowers for our marketing and branding, he supervises our Digital Media and Marketing Interns, drives our Seminole Innovators RSO, and teaches Design Thinking. Wes prides himself in being the loudest and most spirited of our team.

  • Leila Gibradze headshot

    Leila Gibradze MA, MLIS

    Asst. Director, Operations, Information and Information Technology Librarian

    Leila manages operations in the Hub which includes employee training and scheduling, supervising our GAs and front desk staff, managing room reservations, class scheduling, developing policies and procedures and overseeing maintenance. Leila also serves on the iSchool faculty teaching classes and serving on committees.

  • Rienne Saludo Headshot

    Rienne Saludo, Ph.D

    Asst. Director, Design and Emerging Technologies, iSchool Emerging Technologies Librarian

    Rienne manages the emerging technologies in the Innovation Hub, manages our network, supervises our Computer Technologies Interns, and consults on design and architecture projects. He is a jack of all trades stepping in to support many projects at the Hub. Rienne also serves on the iSchool faculty.

Faculty Innovation Catalysts

Seasoned faculty and administrators who are seriously invested and work side-by-side with the Director to drive specific areas of the Innovation Hub for institutional impact. Out Faculty Innovation Catalysts also serve on the Steering Committee.

  • Emily Pritchard, Ph.D.

    INNOVATION PROJECTS CATALYST

    Assistant Provost for Health Innovation and Strategic AlliancesChair, Innovation Hub Steering Committee

    With a background in Biomedical Engineering, Dr. Pritchard guides the use of Innovation Hub resources to support university initiatives, interdisciplinary research, and community outreach

  • Paul Marty, Ph.D.

    ACADEMIC INNOVATION CATALYST

    Professor, School of Information

    With a keen interest in technology, innovation, and design in the information society, Dr. Marty is exploring emerging technologies and their potential to advance higher education.

  • Bret Staudt Willet, Ph.D.

    EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH CATALYST

    Assistant Professor, Instructional Systems & Learning Technologies

    With an interest in self-directed learning, and the future of education, Dr. Staudt Willet utilizes the Innovation Hub as a research lab, studying the practice of Design Thinking, and utilization of emerging technologies, to advance education, and supports the research of others in the Innovation Hub

Adjunct Faculty

bring specialized skills and experience to our students in areas of emerging technologies and innovation.

Special OPS

our part-time staff with serious skills who work across all areas and support a wide array of projects.

  • Jacob Javor

    SEMINOLE INNOVATOR COORDINATOR

  • Mason Gibson

    FABLAB ASSISTANT MANAGER

Innovators in Residence

Faculty who practically live in the Hub, working on projects and mentoring students.

  • Lucas von Hollen

    NEW AND IMMERSIVE MEDIA, ROBOTICS, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Graduate Assistants

Graduate students who wish to gain work or research experience working in Innovation Hub. Most are provided by the School of Information, but others come from a variety of other programs..

  • Andrea Colon-De Feria

    SCHOOL OF INFORMATION

  • Kaitlyn Darling

    SCHOOL OF INFORMATION

  • Craig Moore

    SCHOOL OF INFORMATION

Undergraduate Interns

are undergrad students specially chosen for their high-level skills, high energy, and potential for brilliance in areas that include Digital Fabrication, Computer Technologies, New and Immersive Media, Digital Media, Design, and Marketing.

  • Joy Akingbola

    MARKETING/MEDIA INTERN
    Mechanical Engineering

  • Bria Weisblat

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Computer Science Major

  • Kai Biedermann

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Digital Media Production Major

  • Enyinnaya Chinatu

    PROJECT FACILITATOR INTERN
    Information Technology Major

  • Sarah Clark

    COMPUTER TECH INTERN
    Civil/Environmental Engineering Major

  • Tafari D'Aguiler

    COMPUTER TECH INTERN
    Mechanical Engineering Major

  • Ivy Ercoli

    MARKETING/MEDIA INTERN
    Info Communication Tech Major

  • Ares Gregory

    COMPUTER TECH INTERN
    Meteorology/Comp Science Major

  • Chloe Harbin

    MARKETING/MEDIA INTERN
    English Literature/Culture/Media Major

  • James Hudson IV

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Info Communication Tech Major

  • Colby Jacobs

    PROJECT FACILITATOR INTERN
    Computer Science Major

  • Nico Lincoln

    MARKETING/MEDIA INTERN
    Communication Major

  • Meadow Manfredini

    MARKETING/MEDIA INTERN
    Entrepreneurship Major

  • Justin Pollack

    DIGITAL FABRICTION INTERN
    Computer Engineering Major

  • Jake Scally

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Physics Major

  • Anders Snell

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Mechanical Engineering

  • Pixit Taylor

    DIGITAL FABRICATION INTERN
    Computer Science Major

  • Dion Tryban

    PROJECT FACILITATOR INTERN
    Computer Science Major

Advisory Board

Made up of select external experts and professionals who bring a wealth of industry knowledge and experience to Innovation Hub strategic planning and are passionate about preparing FSU students to innovate after graduation.

  • Conrad Gleber

    NEW MEDIA ARTIST AND DESIGNER

    Conrad Gleber has had a long and distinguished career in art and new media design…

Steering Committee

Specially selected faculty members that represent the innovation interests of their Colleges and programs. They meet monthly and help to determine the future direction of the Hub. The Steering Committee includes the Faculty Innovation Catalysts and Director listed above.

  • Darren Brooks, Ph.D.

    COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
    Assistant Department Chair, Senior Lecturer and MBA Program Director

  • Kevin Curry, MFA

    COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
    Sculpture and Electronic Art Area Head, Assistant Professor, Department of Art

  • Jennifer Farinella, Ed.D.

    COLLEGE OF SOCIAL WORK
    Associate Dean for Academic Administration and Instructional Specialist

  • Jonathan Fozard, Ph.D.

    INFORMATION TEHNOLOGY SERVICES
    Associate Vice President and Chief Information Officer

  • Matt Hunter, MA, MLIS

    UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES
    Digital Scholarship Librarian

  • Jae-Hwa Lee, PhD

    COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS
    Asoc Professor, Interior Architecture and Design

  • Eric Ligouri, Ph.D.

    JIM MORAN COLLEGE OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP
    Professor and Associate Dean

  • Shayne McConomy, Ph.D.

    FAMU/FSU COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING
    Senior Design Lead, Teaching Faculty II, Mechanical Engineering

  • Dave Montez, MA

    CENTER FOR UNDERGRAD RESEARCH AND ACADEMC ENGAGEMENT
    Associate Director

  • Andy Opel, Ph.D.

    COLLEGE OF COMMUNICATION AND INFORMATION
    Professor, School of Communication

  • Cesar Rodriguez, Ph.D.

    COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
    Research Faculty I and Entrepreneur in Residence

  • Craig Stanley, Ph.D.

    OFFICE OF FACULTY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCEMENT
    Director of Strategic Initiatives and Special Projects

  • Dina Vyortkina, Ph.D.

    COLLEGE OF EDUCATION, HEALTH, AND HUMAN SCIENCES
    Asst. Dean for Innovation and Instructional Technology Enhancement

  • Li Yeoh, Ph.D.

    COLLEGE OF MUSIC
    Director, Piano Technology

Mascot

Our mascot serves as a source of inspiration and emotional support for our innovators.

  • Jazmin the K9 Innovator

    Jazmin stays in the Director's office and is always happy to meet students looking for some puppy time.