The Games and Interactive Media program at NSCM is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to thrive in the ever-evolving world of game design, interactive storytelling, and emerging media technologies. As one of the nation’s top programs for digital media and game development, UCF provides a dynamic learning environment where creativity, technology, and innovation intersect.
Whether you’re a prospective student, a gaming enthusiast or simply curious about the field, these testimonials offer valuable insights into the impact of UCF’s Gaming and Interactive Media program.
Alex Guffey graduated in 2018 with a BA in Digital Design: Web and Social Platforms track. Currently, she is a UX Lead working for the Walt Disney Company in Orlando, FL. In this job, Guffey uses web development to create internal and external-facing websites for Disney Experiences. Some notable websites she has worked on are DisneyParksBlog.com and DisneyConnect.com. In addition, she gave the morning keynote at Wordcamp US 2024 on her work.
When asked what inspired Guffey to take this career path, she responded, “I taught myself basic web development when I was a kid for fun, I have always had an interest in it. My major when I reached college actually was not initially web development. I started with Astrophysics, then Architecture, then Computer Science, and finally, Digital Media. When I switched my major to Computer Science, I had already begun working as a web developer. I observed that most of my job opportunities leaned towards web programming languages versus traditional programming languages. When I discovered that UCF had a program targeted directly to web programming languages, it was an easy sell.”
Guffey’s time at UCF has played a pivotal role in shaping their current success. She shared the benefits of her experience. “The digital media program provided lots of applicable skills I still use today in my career. It consisted of a practical curriculum that gave me a very strong foundation for everything I would need to learn in my career. Being located so centrally in Florida and a booming, creative city surrounded by large companies offered me many job opportunities while I was still in school. The classmates I had were also talented and driven and I stay in contact with many of them today. A number of them work for many of the large companies around Florida and we help notify each other of new job opportunities. The network UCF helped me create in Florida is invaluable.”
Christopher Jones graduated in 2018 with a BA in Digital Media: Game Design track and is currently a Lead Artist specializing in foliage at VISIMIR Technologies.
Jones tells us that his career path was shaped directly by his time spent at UCF, the work he did while attending, and the connections he made there. For Jones, the most influential aspect of his time at UCF was having the support of a professor (and mentor) like Dr. Harrington. While in the game design track, Jones was introduced to Dr. Maria Harrington and was given the opportunity to work with her on the Virtual UCF Arboretum Project and the Carnegie Powdermill Nature Preserve’s AR Perpetual Garden app. “Working on these projects while finishing my degree helped me find a passion for creating virtual nature that would lead me where I am today. Publishing projects as a fresh graduate not only gave me expertise as a foliage artist but also connected me to my future jobs like the recent freelancing work I did creating plant models for the County of Kauai, Hawaii, and my current job at VISIMIR,” said Jones.
These stories highlight the program’s hands-on curriculum, collaborative opportunities, industry connections, and the supportive community that helps students turn their passion for gaming and interactive media into a rewarding career.
Written by Majdulina Hamed.
Published to Nicholson News on March 10th, 2025.
If you have any news, accomplishments or highlights about your work or life, please be sure to share them with us, by emailing us at NicholsonNews@ucf.edu.