ABOUT UAT
University of Advancing Technology is an elite, private college that serves its student body by fostering knowledge creation and academic excellence in an environment that embraces the young technophiles of the world. With three centers of research and a suite of technology-centered undergraduate and graduate degrees, the University is a recognized leader in technology education.
Every September 12, the gaming community hits pause to celebrate National Video Games Day. At University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona, we don’t just play—we build. Our students design worlds, code mechanics, and animate characters that leap off the screen.
Gaming isn’t just entertainment; it’s a $200+ billion industry hungry for talent. Analysts forecast the global video game market to reach $188.9 billion in 2025. At UAT, National Video Games Day isn’t just nostalgia—it’s a reminder that the controller in your hand could be the keyboard, stylus, or headset that builds your career. With UAT’s project-driven model, students ship prototypes and polished portfolios long before graduation.
Game Design (BS) – Level design, balancing, production, UX
Game Programming (BS) – C#/C++, networking, gameplay tools
Game Art & Animation (BS) – 3D modeling, rigging, PBR texturing, animation
Virtual Reality (BS) – XR interaction, spatial computing, optimization
Artificial Intelligence (BS) – NPCs, machine learning, procedural content
👉 Each degree ends with a Student Innovation Project (SIP)—a capstone prototype showcased to peers, faculty, and industry.
Prototype fast. Game jams and rapid sprints start in semester one.
Collaborate like a studio. Designers, programmers, artists—same table, same deadline.
Publish portfolio pieces. Public builds, Git repos, short videos, clear READMEs.
Get real mentorship. Faculty who’ve shipped titles, tools, or pipelines know what studios want.
Campus in Tempe, AZ, minutes from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
Lower cost-of-living LA or Seattle, with the same skill pipelines
Community access: indie dev meetups, maker spaces, esports, and studio internships
Design: Systems, Level, UX Designer
Programming: Gameplay Engineer, Tools Programmer, Network Engineer
Art: 3D Artist, Animator, Technical Artist
XR & AI: XR Developer, AI/ML Engineer, Simulation Developer
Production & QA: Producer, PM, QA Analyst
Q: Do I need prior coding or art experience?
A: No. We’ll place you at the right entry point and build from there.
Q: Can I mix design, programming, and art?
A: Yes. Many students stack electives or minors across programs.
Q: What engines and tools will I learn?
A: Unity, Unreal Engine, Git/Perforce, JIRA, Maya/Blender, Substance, and profiling tools.
Q: How soon will I build my first game?
A: Semester one. Expect early prototypes and polished projects by mid-program.
Q: Can I study online?
A: Some coursework is online, but the Tempe campus experience gives you the full studio collaboration and lab access.
👉 [Explore UAT Game Degrees]
👉 [Schedule a Tempe Campus Tour]
👉 [Request Info Today]
👉 [Apply Now]
Turn National Video Games Day into your origin story.
Let’s be clear: National Video Game Day isn’t just about nostalgia, leaderboards, or flexing your KD ratio. It’s about recognizing the cultural—and commercial—juggernaut that gaming has become. It’s about acknowledging that the games you grew up with weren’t just fun. They were a gateway.
Welcome to University of Advancing Technology (UAT), where gamers become developers. Artists become architects of alternate realities. And coders write the future of interactive storytelling.
You speak it fluently. You’ve grown up problem-solving in open worlds, strategizing in real time, and building digital empires with strangers halfway across the globe. Now, it’s time to turn that fluency into fluency in Unity, C++, Python, and Blender.
This isn’t about “studying” game design. It’s about building games while you learn—about designing mechanics, coding AI, animating characters, and launching fully playable titles before you even graduate.
You don’t watch the industry evolve from the sidelines here.
You help define it.
UAT offers an ecosystem, not just a major:
Game Programming: Build engines. Break systems. Write logic like a boss.
Game Art & Animation: Design characters that move (and make people feel).
Game Design: Architect rules, stories, and psychology that hook players for hours.
Virtual Reality: Recode reality. Build experiences for worlds that don’t exist—yet.
Bonus level? We’re one of the only universities that blends hands-on dev work, studio collaboration, and real-world project launches into every degree.
Yes, you can game in our on-campus esports arena.
Yes, we host game jams, innovation showcases, and build nights.
Yes, your professors have built actual commercial titles.
But here’s the cheat code:
You’re not here to play. You’re here to level up.
👉 See the Programs
👉 Apply Now – Because your career shouldn't be on pause
👉 Schedule a Tour – And yes, the game labs are as cool as they sound
Because at UAT, we don’t just play games. We build them.
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), leadership isn’t about titles. It’s about showing up — for your classmates, your community, and your future self.
This summer, that spirit was embodied by Avery Willets, a Bachelor of Science in Data Science major who somehow juggled completing three associate degrees in Advancing Computer Science, Network Engineering, an internship, and student ambassador duties — all while being known around campus as “everyone’s bestie.”
“Avery has a unique ability to brighten any room with just a smile.” — Student Services Team
It’s no wonder Avery was honored with the Brook Cayce Legacy Leadership Award, UAT’s highest recognition for students who lead with positivity, resilience, and innovation.
Avery’s path at UAT has been nothing short of ambitious:
Degree track: Bachelor’s in Data Science + three associate’s degrees in Advancing Computer Science, Network Engineering, and Network Security.
Student Ambassador: The go-to face of UAT for new and prospective students.
Internship Impact: As UAT’s Data Marketing Scientist Intern, Avery earned a HubSpot Reporting Certification and tackled multi-platform data integration projects that shaped how UAT uses insights to drive strategy.
Skillset: Sharp analytical skills + genuine curiosity + the attitude of “I can figure this out.”
That mix of hustle and heart made Avery a stand-out leader in every corner of campus.
Numbers and dashboards may have been Avery’s tools, but people are his legacy. Whether it was breaking down complex insights for the marketing team or just brightening a friend’s day between classes, Avery made leadership personal.
“Positive, friendly, fun, eager to help — Avery’s presence will be missed around here, but we know he’ll go on to achieve greatness.” — Student Services Team
In other words: Avery doesn’t just crunch data. He connects people.
The Brooke Cayce Award honors the spirit of a student who was driven, friendly, involved, and always ready to lend a helping hand. Avery’s story reflects that legacy perfectly — proving that leadership is as much about kindness as it is about accomplishment.
At UAT, we believe leaders aren’t just born. They’re built through community, opportunity, and innovation. Avery’s journey shows what that looks like in action.
Q: What is the Brooke Cayce Legacy Leadership Award?
It’s UAT’s highest recognition of student leadership, honoring the legacy of Brook Cayce — a student remembered for her positivity, involvement, and generosity of spirit.
Q: Why did Avery Willets win the Summer 2025 award?
Avery was recognized for his academic excellence, work as a Student Ambassador, impactful internship contributions, and his ability to uplift everyone around him.
Q: What did Avery study at UAT?
Avery pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Data Science along with three associate’s degrees, while also completing certifications and internships.
Q: How does UAT prepare student leaders like Avery?
Through Student Innovation Projects (SIP), leadership opportunities, internships, and a tech-driven community where students practice real-world impact.
Want to launch your career, earn certifications, and lead like Avery?
👉 Apply to UAT Today
At UAT, you don’t just study tech — you lead with it.
As surprisingly cooler weather greeted our University of Advancing Technology (UAT) campus for the Fall 2025 Welcome Week, the energy was unmistakable. The Class of 2028 had arrived, ready to write the opening chapter of their technology-driven journey.
Families and new students poured onto campus for Move-In Weekend, turning tech tanks and our Large Commons into design, fabrication, and innovation labs. Parents were welcomed with orientation sessions designed to guide them through academic expectations and campus life—because the Class of 2028 doesn’t just step onto campus, they step into a community.
Then came CONNECT—UAT’s immersive orientation experience. Guided tours and break-out sessions revealed high-tech labs, collaborative workspaces, and hidden gems across campus. Interactive workshops like the Cyber Security scavenger hunt and AI mashup sessions gave students a chance to meet faculty, get key University and tech tips, and build early bonds with peers and mentors.
During CONNECT, students met the faculty and our world-class instructors who blend cutting-edge research with real-world technology challenges. Informative gatherings and casual sessions offered both academic insight and practical advice, creating a warm, encouraging atmosphere to begin the semester. As conversations unfolded, the room came alive. Students grew more confident, asking thoughtful questions and engaging deeply with their Subject Matter Experts across a variety of topics.
In true UAT fashion, the Provost Challenge officially kicked everything into high gear. As Dr. David Bolman, Provost puts it:
“When you're a new student, most, if not all of you, have ideas of something you've always wanted to build—and UAT is your sandbox to build it. What’s really fun about this challenge is that it is very open-ended. You can build anything you like.”
Cross-disciplinary groups—randomly formed from CONNECT cohorts—received playful, creative prompts and had just one week to design and deliver a minimum viable prototype that’s innovative, functional, and new.
This year’s creative themes?
Kip (Provost Bolman’s dog) 🐾
Max (UAT’s beloved “Catscot”) 🐈
Vibe Coding — where rhythm meets code
Memes — culture meets creation
Against each theme, teams leaped into hacking sessions, design sprints, and rapid prototyping—all before official classes even began.
By the time the first lectures started today, these teams had already bonded, brainstormed, and began building something innovative, proving that at UAT, innovation doesn’t wait for Day One. It ignites before arrival.
Class of 2028: this is only the beginning. The future you build starts now, and we can't wait to see what you accomplish!
If you'd like to join in on the excitement and dive into a world of limitless innovation with UAT, request more information here or apply today!
Every fall, new innovators step onto University of Advancing Technology (UAT) campus in Tempe, Arizona. They bring laptops, sketchbooks, game mods, and bold ideas—and each has their own reason for choosing UAT.
Their stories prove what our postcards say best: Wish you were here. Because here is where passion meets purpose, and freshmen don’t just imagine the future—they build it.
Uriah Yellowhorse (Mesa, AZ): “It was the best choice for me. A rep came to my school. I am passionate about creating games, computers, 3D modeling, digital art, and 2D art.”
“Do or do not, there is no try.” – Master Yoda
Carter Honor (Mesa, AZ): “I chose UAT because I love the small class sizes and the chance to get hands-on experience. It’s the perfect place for me to learn, create, and be part of a tech-focused community.”
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.” – Abraham Lincoln (allegedly)
Daniel Burton (Houston, TX): “I chose UAT because of its curriculum. It directly aligns with my ambitious goal to create an EV retrofit system to aid in upcycling aging vehicles.”
Charley Silbergleith (Gilbert, AZ): “I chose UAT because I know an alumnus who works in game development and because I have been talking with a few recruiters from Riot Games. I am passionate about video games, comics, and LitRPGs.”
“If you’re able to entertain, you’re doing a good thing.” – Stan Lee
Ruby Vaughn (Chandler, AZ): “I chose to come to UAT because it’s a nice small campus and has multiple degrees that fit my interests. I am passionate about coding and making others happy through entertaining content.”
Jonathan Mejia-Vanegas: “I grew up around computers and that early exposure piqued my interest in them. I chose UAT because being part of a university that specializes in tech as a whole is important to me.”
“He has made everything beautiful in its time.” – Ecclesiastes 3:11
…and that’s just a handful of the new faces. From robotics engineers to digital artists, every freshman is already building something that matters.
Ask ten freshmen why they picked UAT, and you’ll hear ten different answers:
Hands-on learning from the start.
Small class sizes that feel more like a creative lab than a lecture hall.
24/7 access to makerspaces, robotics labs, and game studios.
A community of creators who push each other forward.
Different stories. Same theme. They wanted a place where their ideas could thrive—and that place is here.
📍 Where is UAT located?
In Tempe, Arizona—minutes from downtown Phoenix in one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in the Southwest.
⚡ What makes UAT different?
Small class sizes, accelerated degree options, and 24/7 makerspaces where students launch projects from day one.
🎓 What is campus life like?
Close-knit and collaborative. Students describe it as coding sessions, game jams, robotics builds, and friendships forged over late-night ideas.
💻 What degrees are offered?
Cybersecurity, Robotics Engineering, Game Design, Game Programming, Game Art & Animation, Advertising Art, Artificial Intelligence, Advancing Computer Science and more!
These freshmen chose UAT for a reason. The next move is yours.
👉 [Apply to UAT]
👉 [Schedule a Campus Tour in Tempe]
👉 [Explore UAT Degrees]
At UAT in Tempe, Arizona, the Student Innovation Project (SIP) Showcase isn’t about final exams — it’s about prototypes that work. Students spend months designing, building, and refining technology that challenges industries from cybersecurity to robotics, game design, and AI. The Summer 2025 Showcase proved one thing: on-campus students are shaping the future right here in Arizona.
UATf – Mitchell Moss & Andrew Barkan (Network Security)
A Capture the Flag platform designed by hackers, for hackers. Affordable, addictive, and made to replace overpriced subscriptions. “I wanted to build a platform that would make it easier for UAT students to host, play, and learn from CTF challenges — made by students, for students.”
Shield of Dawood – Mahmoud Hamadah (Network Security)
A cultural and technical leap in cybersecurity — designed to protect users from Man-in-the-Middle attacks. “My purpose is to protect the user in the digital world,” Hamadah said.
Fusion Storytelling Format – Daniel Villa (Advertising Art)
Comics, novels, and graphic storytelling collide in a single hybrid format. A new language for content creators and advertisers.
Unprocessed – Ryan Canepa (Advertising Art)
Raw, unpolished media that critiques consumer culture. One instructor called it “an anti-advertisement that makes you rethink what you buy.”
VR/AR Asymmetric Multiplayer – Alexander Caraway (Game Programming)
In this VR/AR prototype, imbalance isn’t a flaw — it’s the feature. A rebellion against the obsession with fair play.
Animation App Improvements – Faith Morales (Game Art & Animation)
Smoother animation tools, stripping away workflow frustrations so animators can focus on creativity.
Into Each Situation – Jay Jorgensen (Game Art & Animation)
Interactive cartoons that teach life lessons without sacrificing fun. “I am practicing to bring cartoons to life,” Jorgensen said.
ReBa.Moco – Mykaela Ali (Game Design)
Reading-Based Motion Commands: a system where gameplay and story move forward in sync.
Lore Byte – Jordan Burke (Game Design)
A web tool solving the “where was I?” problem in games. Gamers finally get a memory checkpoint outside the console.
Koipond’s Finest: Freelancers – Luke Thomajan (Game Design/Art/Programming)
A simulation of the gig economy, equal parts brutal and brilliant. Thomajan joked: “I like creating things, but there’s one thing I like more — destroying stuff.”
Resonate – Samantha Bryant (Game Design)
A point-and-click story where interpretation drives outcomes. Narrative design that respects player agency.
G.E.S.T.U.R.E – Curran Rose (Robotics)
Robots that read gestures instead of keyboards. A glimpse of how natural control will replace controllers.
CoPay – Dylan Maxwell (Advancing Computer Science)
Fintech stripped down and reimagined by students. Proof that banks aren’t the only ones who can innovate in payments.
Fate Finder – Zyriyah Stoker (Advancing Computer Science)
Predictive storytelling where algorithms guide destiny. A marriage of narrative and data science.
A.I.M.D. – Adam Warren (AI/Robotics)
An AI-powered detection system that automates dangerous, repetitive measurement tasks.
In Tempe, UAT students aren’t waiting to join the tech industry — they’re rewriting it. The SIP Showcase proves that innovation isn’t confined to Silicon Valley; it’s alive in Arizona’s desert labs.
What is SIP at UAT?
A student innovation expo where undergraduates present working prototypes as their capstone projects.
Where is UAT?
UAT
is in Tempe, Arizona, near Phoenix.
Who attends SIP Showcases?
Students, faculty, alumni, industry partners, and the public.
What fields are represented?
Cybersecurity, robotics, AI, digital media, advertising art, and game design.
🔥 Curious what’s next? Check out the Online SIP Showcase projects to see how remote UAT students innovate worldwide. Or better yet, learn more about UAT and start building your own future.
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), innovation isn’t limited by walls. The Online SIP Showcase allows students studying remotely to present their Student Innovation Projects (SIPs) live, proving that creativity and disruption can happen from anywhere. Summer 2025’s cohort took on challenges in AI, cybersecurity, robotics, advertising art, and game design, showing that distance doesn’t dilute ambition.
Eye-Fi 3D – Sullivan Weiss (Network Security)
A 3D heat mapper that makes wireless interference visible. “I have created the Eye-Fi 3D… a diagnostic tool that scans and visually maps the wireless environment,” Weiss said.
Spiced Hexes – Marina De Castro (Advertising Art)
Digital design infused with magical realism — surreal visuals blended into practical, modern storytelling formats.
CogniMan – Savannah Marxx (Advertising Art)
A gamified therapy app for memory loss. “My product is called CogniMan, and it focuses on innovative ways to combine memory loss related to mental illness in a fun, engaging manner.”
Sacred Spirit – Trinity Herbst (Game Programming)
A VR experience designed for spirituality and reflection — immersive tech built to slow you down instead of speed you up.
Snapshot Run – Darian Rutledge (Game Art & Animation)
A puzzle-platformer where players capture and paste the environment to solve challenges. Creative, fast, and clever.
Union Reforged – Christopher James (Game Art & Animation)
A co-op side-scroller that disguises literacy as adventure. “This is more than a game. It’s a quest that turns learning into a fantastic experience.”
SoilSpirit – Damon Rocha (Robotics)
An autonomous rover for gardening. “SoilSpirit is a small modular autonomous rover capable of taking care of the most strenuous parts of gardening.”
Project Odin – Daniel Countermanche (Digital Maker & Fabrication)
An embedded systems experiment with modular design — mythic ambition, practical output.
Aurasync – Mariam Ahady (Artificial Intelligence)
AI that syncs human and machine rhythms for more natural interaction.
CoLab – Brett Schmidt (Artificial Intelligence)
AI designed to be a collaborator, not a competitor — group problem-solving with machine assistance.
Bark Beacon – Nathan Vititoe (Artificial Intelligence)
AI that translates dog barks into human-readable data. Tech that finally gives pets a voice.
The Online SIP Showcase proves one thing: innovation has no borders. From dorm rooms to living rooms across the globe, UAT students are designing, coding, and building projects that matter. Remote doesn’t mean less, it means proving you can innovate anywhere.
Can UAT students complete SIPs fully online?
Yes. UAT’s online programs support full SIP development, including collaboration, prototyping, and live presentation.
How do online SIP presentations work?
Students present live via Zoom, demo their projects, and take questions from faculty, peers, and industry experts.
Are online SIP standards the same as on campus?
Yes. Online students are held to the same prototype requirements as Tempe students.
What majors are represented?
Cybersecurity, AI, robotics, digital media, advertising art, and game design.
Do online SIPs connect with the Tempe Showcase?
Yes. Online presentations run in the same program as in-person projects and are promoted equally.
Where can I see on-campus SIPs?
Read the companion On-Campus SIP Showcase recap from Tempe, AZ.
Every semester, UAT students online and in Tempe launch bold innovations at the SIP Showcase. Don’t just read about the future — build it.
UAT Students,
In August 2024, just 12 months ago, if someone used "vibe" in a sentence, you would likely have thought they were talking about a mood or feeling emanating from some person or object. One year later, tech has worked its magic, and "vibe" has become a buzzy term for blending AI and code building, so that this vital process begins with creativity.
The concept of vibe coding originated with Tesla AI engineer and OpenAI co-founder Andrej Karpathy. He described the idea as "There's a new kind of coding I call vibe coding, where you fully give in to the vibes, embrace exponentials, and forget that the code even exists." The concept is simple: Begin with an idea for a piece of software. Rather than starting by writing lines of code and architecting the software's back end, describe what you want with enough detail to create a working prototype based on your dialogue with an LLM-infused AI such as Cursor, Claude, or CoPilot.
Conversationally prompting the AI, you describe what you want the software to do. The AI generates iterative builds that can be tested and refined. The resulting code solution is good enough to determine if the idea is worth pursuing in the market. If so, bring in the software engineers who can infuse durability, scalability, and security into your creation before releasing it to market.
An obvious benefit of the vibe process is that it allows anyone with basic AI literacy to start innovating by focusing on what they want to create. Vibe coding can soften the barriers in time, skills, and engineering details that often hinder deep insights into any field, ultimately leading to the development of valuable solutions. In its own way, vibe building reminds me of a software equivalent to storyboarding, but without the need for coding, drawing, or model-building skills. I often wonder what innovative and valuable digital tech ideas would emerge if artists, chefs, teachers, scientists, engineers, planners, and medical professionals could easily share their insights about their work and, in the moment when an idea strikes, convert them easily into working tools. As examples, in my down cycles, I am a cook who likes to start with a recipe and then improvise. I would love a software that lets me input a recipe, suggest my alterations, and then show me the likely result (tasty, disgusting, burned, delicious) of my changes. Rather than wait to see if a developer builds such a thing, vibe coding would let me follow my curiosity. As a more serious tech example, one of the most significant barriers to the use of digital twin technology in improving city services (traffic, water, power, fire, police, disaster planning) is the high cost and lengthy lead time required to develop software tailored to the specific needs of each town. Vibe coding could be a new solution for professionals with deep experience to easily/quickly/inexpensively link what they know to the power of AI. For those of you working on an idea for a student innovation project (SIP), applying vibe to digital twinning is a topic that shows your skills in agile harnessing of emTech.
Of course, there are issues. For an amusing cautionary tale, read up on how a few months ago, when building an application in a vibe way, the AI took things into its own "hands" and deleted an entire company database. All new techs have awkward moments, and we learn and refine from these. Despite inevitable steps sideways, vibe coding is likely going to have "stick" because it does something valuable. My guidance to everyone in the UAT community is to invest time in developing your skills in this approach. Vibe will almost certainly be a part of the UAT curriculum in 2026. It will be a tremendous tool for SIPs, and employers will value you having this skill before nearly anyone else.
Talking about vibe coding is an on-point way to welcome all of you to UAT. The lessons here go deeper than the fun of tech newness. Being part of tech comes with an expectation to continually scan for ways to improve things that people care about—and being good at bringing together tools and people to fashion solutions. Tech is a "hands-on, build it from start to finish fairly quickly" way to spend your time and brain cycles. Because of this, nearly all aspects of the UAT experience are designed to help you become great at tackling start-to-finish builds. Events, project-based courses, production studios, and the student innovation project all help you practice a skill that most do not possess.
The other lesson of vibe coding is that new technologies emerge and remap everything, everywhere, all the time. As a student planning for a future in tech creation, you have to build your practice in being aware of what's coming. Reading tech threads, placing yourself near centers of new tech ideas, and interacting with other professionals in areas within, adjacent, and perhaps even outside your field are practices that will lead to your success. If, in 2025, you are someone who knows about and has played with vibe coding, you'll know more than nearly everyone and instantly become a resource for expertise - and that is a good tech thing to be.
Coming up with ideas for bringing emerging technologies together in novel ways does not usually happen as a flash of random inspiration. You have to be intentional about doing things that feed new ideas. That is among the benefits of being at UAT because we nudge exposure to the technologies, conversations, and thought leadership that fuel new ideas. During the summer, UAT students mentored teens during our annual Tech Camp, Coding in Color, and FBI Camps. U.S. Congressman Greg Stanton visited the campus to discuss AI, digital privacy, technology policy, and the tech ecosystem. IP lawyers from Fuller Law came to campus to discuss patents and how students can protect their valuable IP. A panel of tech CEOs visited campus to learn about and listen to the top SIPs. These leaders and founders praised the work of soon-to-be UAT alums Dylan Maxwell and Serge Kaminsky as market-ready for the thoughtfulness and market viability of their technology creations. And while we are talking about student creators, shout-outs to the other Summer SIP Showcase winners: Daniel Countermanche for Project Odin and Mariam Ahady for Aurasync.
Looking ahead, on September 10th, UAT students can volunteer and earn registration to attend the Arizona Technology Summit email Jacob Henningsen to get set up. Then, on November 12th, UAT will be hosting its own Tech Respect Summit. I also encourage students to head to UAT's YouTube channel and watch the recent student innovation showcase events. Seeing the ideas and prototypes of previous graduates is excellent fuel for your own ideas.
Welcome to UAT! My advice is always to tech up, pay attention to AI and practice creating solutions. I always look forward to seeing what you build.
Dr. David B. Bolman, Provost
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona, innovation isn’t confined to classrooms — it’s designed, built, and tested live at the Student Innovation Project (SIP) Showcase. Every semester, students present prototypes that challenge industries in 🔐 cybersecurity, 🤖 robotics, 🎮 game design, 🎨 advertising art, 🤯 artificial intelligence, and 💻 computer science.
And here’s the twist: UAT’s SIP Showcase happens both on campus in Tempe and online. Whether in Arizona’s desert labs or presenting via Zoom from another continent, UAT students are proving that innovation has no borders.
The Summer 2025 SIP Showcase demonstrated the power of in-person collaboration. From fintech apps to robotics, these projects prove that UAT students aren’t waiting to join the tech industry — they’re rewriting it.
🕹️ UATf – Mitchell Moss & Andrew Barkan (Network Security): A Capture the Flag platform built by hackers, for hackers.
Project link: https://uatf.ctfd.io/
🛡️ Shield of Dawood – Mahmoud Hamadah (Network Security): Next-gen intrusion detection system.
Project link: https://www.mahmoud-hamadah.com/portfolio
📚 Fusion Storytelling Format – Daniel Villa (Advertising Art): Comics and novels collide in a new hybrid medium.
📺 Unprocessed – Ryan Canepa (Advertising Art): Anti-advertising campaign critiquing consumer culture.
Project link: https://sites.google.com/view/canepa-portfolio/sip
🎮 VR/AR Asymmetric Multiplayer – Alexander Caraway (Game Programming): A game where imbalance is the feature, not the flaw.
✏️ Animation App Improvements – Faith Morales (Game Art & Animation): Smarter tools for animators.
Project link: https://justfaithsillyoffical.weebly.com/sip.html
📺 Into Each Situation – Jay Jorgensen (Game Art & Animation): Interactive cartoons teaching life lessons.
Project link: https://jaycarl2002.wixsite.com/jay-jorgensen-board
📖 ReBa.Moco – Mykaela Ali (Game Design): Reading-based motion commands syncing story and gameplay.
Project link: https://mkart9181.wixsite.com/showcaseali/sip
🧠 Lore Byte – Jordan Burke (Game Design): Solving the “where was I?” problem in gaming.
🧑🎤 Koipond’s Finest: Freelancers – Luke Thomajan (Game Design): RPG simulating the gig economy.
Project link: https://luctomyt.wixsite.com/luctom-makes-games/about-5
🎧 Resonate – Samantha Bryant (Game Design): Narrative-driven point-and-click game.
✋ G.E.S.T.U.R.E – Curran Rose (Robotics): Gesture-based robot control.
Project link: https://curranwayneroseportfolio.weebly.com/sip.html
💳 CoPay – Dylan Maxwell (Computer Science): Student-built fintech app for shared expenses.
Project link: https://dylanmaxwell.netlify.app/#copay
⚙️ A.I.M.D. – Adam Warren (AI/Robotics): Automated detection system for hazardous monitoring.
Project link: https://aw445540.wixsite.com/my-site/my-sip-project
For UAT students studying remotely, the Online SIP Showcase proves innovation has no borders. From bedrooms to living rooms across the globe, these projects were presented live, showing that distance doesn’t dilute ambition.
🌐 Eye-Fi 3D – Sulliven Weiss (Network Security): A 3D heat mapper visualizing wireless interference.
🎣 AI Phishing Tool – Gabriel Hurtado (Network Security): Interactive phishing simulator for employee training.
✨ Spiced Hexes – Marina De Castro (Advertising Art): Surrealist design meets magical realism.
🧩 CogniMan – Savannah Marxx (Advertising Art): Gamified therapy for memory loss.
🕊️ Sacred Spirit – Trinity Herbst (Game Programming): AR/VR spirituality experience.
📸 Snapshot Run – Darien Rutledge (Game Art & Animation): Puzzle-platformer with capture/paste mechanics.
📖 Union Reforged – Christopher James (Game Art & Animation): Literacy disguised as side-scrolling adventure.
🌱 SoilSpirit – Damon Rocha (Robotics): Autonomous rover for gardening.
⛑️ Project Odin – Daniel Countermanche (Digital Maker & Fabrication): Modular embedded helmet system.
🎶 Aurasync – Mariam Ahady (Artificial Intelligence): AI meditation sync.
🤝 CoLab – Brett Schmidt (Artificial Intelligence): AI-powered group collaboration.
🐕 Bark Beacon – Nathan Vititoe (Artificial Intelligence): AI that translates dog barks.
📺 Watch the full Summer 2025 SIP Showcase presentation on YouTube: https://youtu.be/m2wsrcZkG1g
Q: What is SIP at UAT?
A capstone showcase where students present working prototypes that merge creativity with technology.
Q: Where is UAT?
UAT is located in Tempe, Arizona, near Phoenix.
Q: Can SIPs be completed online?
Yes. UAT’s online programs fully support SIP development, including prototyping and live presentations.
Q: Are online and Tempe SIP standards the same?
Yes. All students must deliver working prototypes, whether online or in person.
Q: What majors are represented?
Cybersecurity, robotics, artificial intelligence, digital media, advertising art, computer science, and game design.
Every semester, UAT students — both in Tempe and online — turn ideas into innovation. From AI-powered apps to VR storytelling and fintech platforms, SIP projects are more than class assignments: they’re career launchpads.
👉 Explore UAT's Programs
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), the Creation & Simulation Faculty are all about turning imagination into innovation. Whether you are looking to build robots, design virtual environments, or inventing the next big interactive tech, this is where hands-on creator thrive. This group of faculty teach Digital Maker & Fabrication, Robotics & Embedded Systems, Virtual Reality and Human Computer Interaction and with their backgrounds spanning design, engineering, software development and more, they provide UAT students with industry relevant education.
Professor Ryan Murray is a designer, sculptor, and digital fabricator with a passion for 3D modeling, CNC, and 3D printing. He has a Master of Fine Art in design from Rhode Island School of Design, where he learned to combine his artistic vision with cutting-edge technology. He has worked as an industrial designer and a sculptor for various clients, including the Heard Museum, Arizona Science Center, Tostito Superbowl Experience, Carvana, the City of Chandler, and RZA from Wu-Tang Clan. He also holds a patent for a product he designed and brought to market. Professor Murray has a BFA in sculpture from ASU and a certificate in teaching and learning from Brown University. He enjoys sharing his skills and knowledge with the local maker community and taught classes at Techshop Chandler the whole time it was in business. Complementing his digital fabrication, Professor Murray is also highly skilled in metal, wood, composite, plastic fabrication and mold making.
Professor Jake Perrine graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree, Honor’s Degree, and Master’s Degree all in Biomedical Engineering from Arizona State University. Jake's professional experience involves working in the Neural Movement and Control Laboratory for 4 years looking at Haptic Virtual Reality investigating perceptual signals and rehabilitative applications.
Professor Prater has been working as an application architect in the financial sector. He has previously taught chemistry and Capstone research classes for 5 years at Highland High School in Gilbert, AZ. Before this, Matt made radioactive PET (Positron Emission Tomography) drugs at Cardinal Health for 13 years, working in quality, manufacturing and R&D positions. The drugs were used in diagnostic applications in the treatment of cancer, Alzheimer's disease and heart disease. As all the drugs Professor Prater made were radioactive, he had to use robotic synthesis systems to carry out the chemistry. This is where he got hooked on software and embedded systems.
Professor Prater has obtained his M.S. Software Engineering at Regis University and his M.Ed. from Arizona State University as well as a B.S. in Chemistry from Western Michigan University.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT) is located in sunny Tempe, Arizona with year-round activities both indoor and out. Whether you're new to UAT or just looking to spice up your routine, there's no shortage of things to do right outside your classroom doors. From cozy coffee spots to weekend adventures, your college experience isn't limited to lectures and late-night cramming. Let's explore the best activities, hangouts, and must-see spots within 10 - 15 minutes of campus that will make your time here unforgettable.
🍔 Food & Coffee
🛍️ Shopping
🌿 Parks & Outdoors
🎭 Art & Culture
The Game Maker’s Toolkit Game Jam isn’t your average “let’s-make-a-game” weekend. It’s an internet-wide creative sprint where the global dev scene collectively pulls 96 hours of caffeine-fueled chaos, then drops nearly 10,000 playable experiments onto Itch.io.
This year, four of those experiments came from University of Advancing Technology (UAT) teams in Tempe, Arizona. And they weren’t just filler in the world’s largest digital potluck—they placed.
Lake Snoop
By Boone Stewart
A snake clone with a twist: loops. Slick, clean, and strangely hypnotic. Windows-only.
Brick by Brick
By Baylee Balsimo Ketelhut, Dylan Mudersbach, Jensen Searle, David S., Jakob Davis, Trinket Quance
Weaponize your profile. Take over the world. Browser-ready.
Pool Loop
By Tommy Eyester, Ivan Sanchez, Lauren Hesselgesser, Erica Pead, Nate Andert, Necolai McIntosh
Physics-driven chaos meets minimalist charm. Loops. So many loops.
Pit Captain
By Sophie Schenck, Luc Thomajan, Lucas Foxworthy, Cooper, Zaki, Glenn Truitt
Story-forward strategy with personality to burn.
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Brick by Brick– Top 6.5% for Narrative
Pool Loop– Top 10.2% for Creativity
Pit Captain– Top 27% for Narrative
Lake Snoop– Top 47% for Audio
Not bad for two days, minimal sleep, and a campus Wi-Fi connection. (Big shoutout to Derric Clark, Rawad Habib, Teagan Findler for judging—and Tyler Walling for keeping the software gods appeased.)
Because game jams are the closest thing to the industry without actually shipping a commercial title. You learn to sprint, to collaborate under pressure, to kill your darlings when the scope monster comes knocking. It’s the live-fire drill for future indie stars, AAA devs, and experimental art-game innovators alike.
UAT’s game students don’t just watch tutorials—they deploy, iterate, and push code into the wild, and that’s exactly what makes a portfolio stand out in a sea of “concept” projects.
Q: Do you have to be a game programming student to join?
Nope. UAT teams often mix in game artists, designers, and even robotics or cybersecurity students.
Q: How long is the jam?
96 hours of pure scope-management chaos.
Q: Can prospective students get involved?
You can’t compete as an official team member until you’re enrolled, but you can visit the campus, meet the PHX IGDA student chapter, and maybe see jam games in action.
If you’ve ever wanted to code, design, or art-direct a game that strangers across the globe actually play, UAT’s Game Programming, Game Design, and Game Art & Animation degrees are built for it.
📍 Tempe, AZ — Real labs. Real teams. Real deadlines.
🎮 Start your game dev journey at UAT
Alan has spent over 20 years in higher education. In his tenure he has worn many hats and had the opportunity to implement many systemic changes to affect process and procedure. A fervent practitioner of servant leadership, he enjoys developing and supporting those around him. He is equally passionate about lifelong-learning and strives for both personal and professional growth.
At the University of Advancing Technology, Alan facilitates courses in entrepreneurship, communications, marketing, innovation and cognition.
In his spare time, Alan volunteers as a Certified Mentor for the non-profit SCORE, and is involved in a handful of other smaller, local initiatives. For fun, Alan enjoys projects around the house, landscaping, growing vegetables at the community garden, nature and the outdoors. He has served as a board member for the Mesa Arts Center Foundation and is a proud graduate of Valley Leadership’s Leadership Institute (Class 33).
Alan currently holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business with an emphasis in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration.
Dr. Mark “The Shark” Smith’s is an IFBB professional bodybuilder, published author, and an expert in leadership, business, and organizational development. His professional background has been around company expansion and growth. With over 12 years of experience with various companies ranging from enterprise to start-up.
Mark has significant IT experience leading sales teams through client relations and staying up on new tech for industry needs. During this process Mark became very familiar with how IT infrastructure works and became sales certified for Microsoft, Cisco, Juniper, VMware, Symantec, Red Hat, Apple, HP, and Dell.
Mark has a wealth of start-up knowledge, being involved with organizations like Hotchalk and Digital Air Strike in their infancy. With start-ups Mark’s skill set makes him an intricate part of growing the company through output and developing the proper partnerships for expansion. Mark started with UAT in 2015 and teaches specific courses in both undergraduate and graduate on entrepreneurship, leadership, project management, marketing, and strategic planning. His philosophy and teaching style is catered to prepare students for working in today’s business markets.
Dapzury Valenzuela is a marketing and design professional with over 20+ years of industry experience and 15+ years as a post-secondary educator. She is the Curriculum Integrity & Senior Professor and runs the Student Innovation Project for all majors helping them to create, develop and present their tech-based product or service. She works in both traditional and digital formats using the Adobe Creative Suite with a specialty in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign.
Dapzury is also a Brand & Marketing Consultant through her LLC, Haute Pro, helping people, startups and businesses reach their goals through her extensive knowledge in brand development, inbound marketing, and visual content creation. Her clients range from STEM-based academies to virtual reality in fashion.
Specialties:
Branding (Logos)
Graphic Design
Inbound & Content Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Art & Creative Direction
Project Management
Web & UI Design
Business Development
Entrepreneurship & Startups
Congressman Greg Stanton, serving Arizona's district 4, made his fourth visit to the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), reinforcing his strong relationship with the institution and his continued commitment to Arizona’s innovation ecosystem.
Congressman Stanton's visit included both a private executive session with UAT Leadership and a open forum address to student during a classroom visit, giving attendees insight into current congressional initiatives and regional priorities. During the executive session, Congressman Stanton met with UAT’s leadership team to provide a congressional update and discuss key areas of collaboration. The conversation focused on how federal policy aligns with the needs of Arizona’s growing tech sector and higher education landscape.
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Following that session, Congressman Stanton spoke to UAT students and community members, addressing some of the most pressing issues facing the region. He highlighted upcoming strategies for water usage and conservation—an increasingly urgent concern in the Southwest. He also shared updates on national cybersecurity efforts as well as artificial intelligence, underscoring the importance of keeping Arizona at the forefront of cyber innovation and education. Stanton emphasized the role of institutions like UAT in maintaining a competitive technology pipeline, both statewide and nationally. He praised UAT’s unique focus on tech-forward programs and its hands-on approach to preparing students for real-world challenges.
His frequent visits to UAT and other business and institutions all over Arizona reflect his dedication to strengthening Arizona’s position as a leader in technology, sustainability, and workforce development.
Explore your options in choosing a program or schedule a tour to legislate your future career options.
On Wednesday, July 16 at 2:30 PM, University of Advancing Technology (UAT) did what any good tech university should do when faced with a major campus remodel and a freshly unwrapped Commons: it built a time machine. Sort of.
They held a Time Capsule Ceremony.
Not the dusty, boring kind your elementary school buried with handwritten letters and a Pokémon card. This one? It was a compact, curated archive of UAT’s uniquely chaotic genius, equal parts innovation, meme, and existential timestamp.
Every academic department, a.k.a. program family, submitted a handpicked artifact from their corner of the tech multiverse. AI. Cyber. Robotics. Gaming. Digital Makers. It was a flex. Each item was chosen to represent what that program is right now, in the hot summer of 2025.
Students and clubs, coordinated by the ever-scheming GeekRHO, added their own flavor. Think:
USB drives loaded with unreleased games
Hand-built PC parts
Culture-coded Easter eggs (QR codes linked to inside jokes? Probably.)
Tangible pieces of life at a university that dreams in Java and memes in binary
The goal? Capture now, confuse future humans later.
Because this moment matters. The Commons reopened. The plastic curtain came down (RIP, you weird, crinkly monument to renovation). And UAT isn’t just riding the tech wave—it’s shaping it.
We’re living in a timeline of AI takeovers, drone pizza delivery trials, and students 3D printing their midterms. So yeah—this felt like the perfect time to hit record.
Faculty & Staff: Submitted their item via their program leads
Students & Clubs: Coordinated submissions through GeekRHO and Dean Beals
Remote/Busy Humans: Dropped items off in a basket outside [Insert Name]’s office (because yes, even futurists still use baskets)
Let’s be clear—we’re not releasing a contents list. That would ruin the vibe. But rest assured: the capsule contains a cross-section of UAT’s brain in 2025. A blend of brilliance and chaos. A TED Talk and a Twitch stream. A dev log and a Discord meltdown.
And one day, someone will open it. And they’ll either say:
“Wow. They were ahead of their time.”
or
“What the hell is a Sigma meme?”
Both are correct.
Every department. Every club. Everyone who wanted in, got in. (Even the introverts. Especially them.)
If it made you laugh, think, code, or build—it was fair game. Gadgets, QR codes, digital content, tangible memories, and one unsettling 3D-printed object nobody will claim.
Somewhere safe, somewhere secret. (Okay fine, it’s on campus. We’re not telling you where. Yet.)
In 2050. Mark your calendars, sync your brain-chip reminders, or just tattoo it somewhere visible.
By then, we fully expect:
The capsule is sealed. But the story isn’t over.
Check out ceremony highlights and student reactions here 👉 Instagram Recap
Want to be part of the next chapter we seal in steel?
UAT isn’t just a tech university—it’s a time machine for your imagination.
Apply Now and leave your mark on the future.
University of Advancing Technology (UAT), caps off stellar camp season with annual Tech Camp with New Way Academy which gives students a technological taste of college life.
What began as a simple school partnership has evolved into a powerful annual tradition. Students from New Way Academy — a school serving bright learners who thrive in personalized learning environments — now look forward to this event as a rite of passage. For many, it’s their first time staying overnight on a college campus. For some, it’s the moment they realize they belong in the world of tech.
Each day is thoughtfully curated to provide a blend of practical skills, creative exploration, and good old-fashioned fun. UAT professors and staff lead engaging demos and workshops designed to spark curiosity and confidence. Some highlights from this year’s lineup included:
Life 101: A crash course in adulting — covering everything from budgeting and communication skills to college prep and self-advocacy.
AI Prompt Engineering: Students explored the power of artificial intelligence and learned how to craft effective prompts to generate art, text, and ideas.
LEGO Building Challenge: Creativity met collaboration as students built original structures under time pressure, solving design challenges in real time.
Robotics Challenge: Instructors introduced students to simple robotics concepts, and teams competed to complete tasks using sensors and logic.
Gameplay Testing: Students played and reviewed in-development video games created by UAT students, giving live feedback as real-world testers.
The students also had an opportunity to learn traditional art drawing and maker and fabrication techniques in building smart infrastructure.
But the learning wasn’t limited to the classroom. Campers also got a behind-the-scenes look at UAT’s cutting-edge spaces—including the Maker and Fabrication Lab, Motion Capture Studio, Art Studio, Security Operations Center, and Think Tanks—each one offering a glimpse into real-world innovation.
And of course — they didn’t go home at the end of the day. Students stayed overnight in the UAT dorms, getting a real taste of college life in a safe, supportive environment.
This partnership speaks to something greater than STEM demos and campus tours — it represents what happens when you trust students with real tools, real challenges, and real respect. Year after year, UAT and New Way Academy prove that when education is tailored to the learner, anything is possible.
We are honored to continue this decade-long tradition and can’t wait to welcome the next wave of New Way innovators.
Whether you're taking your first step into tech or you're ready to go all-in on your own innovation journey…
👉 See What You Can Study at UAT
We're the university built for future creators—and it all starts here.
At University of Advancing Technology (UAT), we take CAD personally. Why? Because it’s in our DNA.
Flashback to 1983: A small classroom in Tempe, Arizona. Ten students. Two visionaries—Dr. Dominic Pistillo and his wife, Ann—teaching computer-aided design before most people had even heard of it. They called it the CAD Institute, and it was one of the first of its kind.
Back then, CAD wasn’t just a tool—it was a signal. A hint that the future wouldn’t be hand-drawn; it would be digitally engineered. The Pistillos saw it coming and made a bold move: build an institution that evolves with technology itself.
Fast-forward to today: That humble CAD classroom is now UAT—a fully accredited private university pioneering education in:
Still small by design, but powerful by intent. Still built on what’s next.
National CAD Day isn’t just a nostalgic holiday. For UAT, it’s a reflection of:
How we were founded
Why digital design still drives our degrees
What our students build in the 3D lab, maker space, and robotics arena
It’s not just about where we started. It’s about the mindset we instill in every future-forward creator who walks through our doors.
What Hasn’t Changed:
Tight-knit community
The belief that education should be as agile as innovation
Students from all over the U.S. are building future tech today
A campus that looks more like a startup than a lecture hall
Programs that evolve faster than job descriptions do
If you're wired for design thinking, digital tools, and future-first ideas—UAT is your launchpad.
CAD was where it all started. Now we’re asking:
What will you build next?
So on this National CAD Day, maybe it’s time to sketch your next move.
National CAD Day is celebrated annually on August 2 to recognize the role of Computer-Aided Design in engineering, manufacturing, architecture, and innovation.
CAD is foundational to designing prototypes, parts, and systems that students build, test, and refine using 3D printers, CNC machines, and robotic tools.
Students work with Fusion 360 —an industry-standard platform for digital modeling and fabrication.
CAD is essential in robotics, engineering, manufacturing, product design, industrial automation, and aerospace.
UAT was originally founded as the CAD Institute in 1983 by Dr. Dominic and Ann Pistillo, training students in the then-cutting-edge field of computer-aided design.
🧭 Come tour the campus.
🖨️ Peek into the 3D print lab.
🎮 Ask us how students graduate with published games and built prototypes.
Or just click Apply.
Because the future doesn’t build itself.
But here? It kind of does.
At the University of Advancing Technology (UAT), General Education is the foundation that connects technology to the broader human experience. The General Education faculty bring a wealth of expertise and passion to the foundational courses that shape every student’s academic journey. Covering subjects in the humanities, arts, mathematics, and sciences, these dedicated educators provide students with the critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills essential for success in any tech-driven career. With diverse backgrounds in creative writing, mathematics, psychology, and the performing arts, they inspire curiosity, encourage discovery, and empower students to make meaningful connections between technology and the world around them.
Professor Belanger is the Synchronic and General Education Regent, he teaches across several areas in the Humanities, including literature, creative writing and composition, and cultural studies. During his career as a writer and editor, he has served as chief editor for The Journal of Advancing Technology, coordinating editor for a reference series on the 2000s, and written numerous articles on history and culture for print and online journals. Two films have been adapted from his works (a stage play and a short story), and he was the screenwriter of a Department of Justice documentary on the end of segregation in Arizona. He is in the third year of completing a novel—The Boy in Ruins—that should only have taken him one year to write, if he’s being honest. He is also the cowboy in a Violent Femmes video directed by a UAT alum.
Selected Credits
- The Journal of Advancing Technology (editor-in-chief)
- The 2000s in America (Great Neck Press, coordinating editor)
- "Fast Horses" (actor, short)
- My Apocalypse (screenwriter, feature based on original play)
- "Splitsville" (screenwriter, short based on an original short story)
I have over forty years of volunteer and professional experience in the performing arts including theater, modern dance, ballet, and orchestra. After twenty years of teaching, I consider my greatest accomplishments to be my alumni. Whenever an alumnus comes back to ask my opinion on something they’ve created, or requests my notes on a current project then I know that I’ve contributed to their professional development and success. My alumni have gone on to work on such television series as “Game of Thrones," "Once Upon a Time," and "The Crown," and have worked on feature films including the Marvel "Avengers" franchise, "Avatar," and "Sharknado."
My debut novel, Death Takes A Bath, was published in December of 2022, with the next in the series, Death Takes a Fall, due December of 2023. Short stories can be found in several anthologies by Malice Domestic and Desert Sleuths: The Professor’s Lesson (2022) in Mystery Most Diabolical, Final Curtain (2020) in Mystery Most Theatrical; Carne Diem (2019) in the Anthony Award-winning Mystery Most Edible; Death on Tap (2017) in SoWest: Killer Nights. My recipes and writing tips are included in Recipes to Kill For(2019).
I love everything about writing, theater, and film. Each medium provides a different viewpoint for connecting with an audience.
Professor Heather Peters has been in the education field for almost 20 years. She has a bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University in Secondary Education Mathematics and a Master’s Degree in Education from Northern Arizona University. After teaching for 11 years in the high school setting to a variety of skill levels, Heather taught for a semester in China, before returning to the valley to teach at the university level. Heather has done some contract work for the state of Arizona reviewing state tests for biases, has been a part of several mathematics teachers’ learning communities, and has developed several courses for students from functions to financial math. Heather is passionate about making math more fun and relevant to all students regardless of their past experiences in math.
Dr. Daniel Pike is an English professor at the University of Advancing Technology and the author of two Science Fiction novels: The Wolf of Descarta (Zharmae, 2013) and Betrayal at Phobos (Zharmae, 2015). He has also contributed to Race and American Film: Voices and Visions that Shaped a Nation (Greenwood, 2017) on the topics of Middle Eastern representation, imperialist narratives, and race in the Rocky films. He currently studies Medieval Literature and is focused on the influences of the English vernacular artes moriendi and ghostly chivalry on the insular Arthurian legend of the 14th and 15th centuries. His first peer-reviewed publication concerning Arthurian legend, "Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Armed with Virtues in the Face of Death," has been accepted into the journal Etudes Médiévales Anglaises and will be included in issue 98.
Gabrielle Vosteen is a passionate educator with about 20 years of experience teaching general education in science and psychology. She is dedicated to creating engaging, hands-on learning experiences and designs a wide array of courses, including Anatomy & Physiology, Biology, Microbiology, Genetics, and various psychology disciplines. Her expertise extends to both lecture and lab-based courses, where she inspires students to explore complex concepts with curiosity and confidence. In addition to her academic role, Gabrielle worked as a forensic pathologist performing autopsies with medical examiners. She has earned an undergraduate degree in Biology from Grand Canyon University (GCU). She went on to earn two Master of Science degrees—both focusing on Biology with an additional minor in Leadership—alongside a Master’s in Psychology. Her professional background includes extensive experience in pharmaceuticals and nutraceuticals, where she contributed to research and development, and quality assurance and control. She also conducted research on glioblastoma using mathematical modeling. Gabrielle's passion for teaching stems from her deep love of science and her commitment to helping students succeed.
Doctor Wolterbeek teaches courses in composition, literature, and communication. Reading and writing have always been her greatest passions and while she loves all forms of written communication, essays bring her the most joy. Professor Wolterbeek is especially interested in the use of micro essays as a way of connecting the traditional essay to current trends in writing for digital media. She is currently developing curriculum for middle and high school students that uses micro-blogging to help students reflect on their experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Professor Wolterbeek is the author of many articles about reading and writing and has been published in The ALAN Review, the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy and English Journal and presents regularly at the National Council of Teachers of English. She believes that writing is a powerful tool to help us to understand our world and ourselves and finds great meaning in teaching composition and communication. Professor Wolterbeek has been at the University of Advancing Technology for over twenty years and considers her work with her students to be her greatest accomplishment.
You don’t always see them—but you always feel their work. The email that just sent? Them. The network that didn’t crash mid-meeting? Also them. The server that didn’t spontaneously combust under pressure? You guessed it.
That’s not luck. That’s a System Administrator quietly holding the digital universe together with duct tape, scripts, and sheer willpower.
Today is System Administrator Appreciation Day, and here at University of Advancing Technology (UAT) in Tempe, Arizona, we’re flipping all caps ON to celebrate the uptime enforcers, Wi-Fi whisperers, and unsung heroes of the modern world.
System Administrators (aka SysAdmins, aka IT’s special forces) are the ones who:
Configure and maintain servers
Patch vulnerabilities before anyone even knows they exist
Keep networks fast, secure, and frictionless
Rescue your files (and your pride) after your 17th forgotten password
If your tech works when you need it most, thank a SysAdmin. If it doesn’t? Well, they’re already working on it.
At UAT, students don’t just read about routing protocols and Active Directory—they build, break, and secure real systems in on-campus server rooms and cyber warfare labs.
It’s hands-on. It’s real-world. And it’s taught by experts who’ve lived in the trenches.
Students in our Network Engineering, Cybersecurity, and Technology Forensics programs train in:
Linux and Windows server environments
Virtual machine deployment and orchestration
Infrastructure-as-code (Terraform, Ansible—yes, the real stuff)
Automation with PowerShell and Bash
Network defense, penetration testing, and digital forensics
And most importantly—how to stay calm when everything’s on fire
There are no simulations here. This is education with uptime.
In a world where uptime is currency and downtime is a disaster, SysAdmins are the invisible infrastructure.
Cyberattacks? They’re already on it.
System failures? Rerouted.
3 AM crisis? You slept through it—because they didn’t.
And the career outlook? 🔥. From System Administrator to Cloud Engineer to Cybersecurity Analyst, this is a job market that doesn’t crash.
SysAdmins maintain and secure computer systems and networks to ensure everything runs smoothly and stays connected.
Hands-on experience with configuring servers, writing scripts, securing networks, managing virtual environments, and using tools commonly found in enterprise IT and cybersecurity roles.
With immersive labs, real-world equipment, and experienced faculty guiding students through real scenarios—not just textbook theory.
System Administrator, Network Engineer, Cybersecurity Analyst, Cloud Engineer, IT Security Specialist—and more.
Begin with hands-on training in Network Engineering or Technology Forensics, then advance your career with a master’s degree in Cyber Security, designed to prepare you for high-level roles in IT security, network defense, and system administration.
If you're the kind of person who loves solving puzzles, thrives under pressure, and gets a thrill out of making complex systems just… work—UAT is your launchpad.
🔍 Explore Degrees
With degrees in Cyber Security, Network Engineering, and more, you’ll go from curious to career-ready with skills employers actually care about.
🧭 Schedule a Campus Tour
Online or in-person, get a behind-the-scenes look at our cyber labs, maker spaces, and the tech you’ll get your hands on.
✍️ Apply Now
Because real-world tech needs real-world talent—and that starts with you.
Because behind every great system is a greater SysAdmin.
And today, we raise our coffee-stained mugs to them.
Happy System Administrator Appreciation Day!
When it comes to cutting-edge education in Arizona, University of Advancing Technology (UAT) isn’t just part of the conversation, we’re leading it.
We don't follow trends. We create them. UAT is where future-forward thinkers come to build, innovate, and get hands-on with the technologies shaping tomorrow.
Right here in Tempe, Arizona. UAT has officially been recognized as the #1 tech-focused private university in the state, thanks to its innovation-first curriculum, deep industry partnerships, and a growing network of trailblazing alumni who are turning ideas into impact.
Read the full announcement on EIN Presswire →
UAT is built exclusively for emerging technology. Our top Arizona tech degrees include:
Our Tempe-based campus is wired directly into Arizona’s Silicon Desert—with students collaborating with real tech companies from day one. Classroom learning meets real-world impact.
From creating patented innovations to launching startups, UAT students graduate job-ready and future-focused.
UAT is one of the only fully accredited, private universities in Arizona 100% focused on technology. Our curriculum is hands-on, project-based, and industry-aligned.
Absolutely. Our NSA-recognized cybersecurity programs and cutting-edge AI degrees are built to match what the real world demands right now—and what it’ll need next.
UAT is located in Tempe, Arizona, just minutes from Phoenix, and surrounded by one of the nation’s fastest-growing tech corridors.
Yes! We offer in-person and virtual campus tours. Schedule your tour here.
