Meet the Digital Media Commons Staff

taysimon@umich.edu

(she, her)

734-709-8188 (primary)
734-763-3266

Suite 2161, Duderstadt Center

“I am happy to assist with all things Duderstadt Center & Digital Media Commons. I am here to help you find the right resources and to provide coordinated support in order to make your event a success. If you have questions regarding reservable space; Duderstadt Welcome Station information; or anything related to Duderstadt Center facilities, I am at your service! I’ve been a proud DMC team member since 2018.”

Taylor

Website Coordinator

jmerlinw@umich.edu

734-576-5879

Located off-campus

“I’ve been associated with the amazing staff of the Duderstadt Center and the Digital Media Commons for more than 20 years. The DC is so much more than a collection of media technologies, computers, and special studios (amazing as they are). It has evolved as a rich community of innovation, encompassing the visual and performing arts, design, engineering, and information technology. The DC’s creative ecosystem enables a level of collaboration between students, faculty, and professional staff that takes research and project-based learning into a future limited only by imagination. I feel privileged to tell their success stories, and I am also eager to capture your story of creative endeavor. Tell me about it!”

John

johnm@umich.edu

734-936-3501

Suite 2161 – Room 2176, Duderstadt Center

Associate Director, Adjunct Lecturer
Emerging Technologies Group

somalley@umich.edu

(she, her, hers)

734-763-2802

Suite 1315, Room C, Duderstadt Center

“I am 3D artist, animator and adjunct lecturer that has taught several courses on XR content creation and game development. My career prior to U of M originated in the video game industry developing games for Xbox, Playstation & Wii. I am here to assist you with with any questions you have about software for developing XR content and I can offer you guidance on pipelines for XR platforms like the Rift, Vive or Hololens, either using game engines like Unreal and Unity, or our in-house Jugular software.”

Stephanie

seskanda@umich.edu

734-763-2300

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

heise@umich.edu

734-647-5746

Visualization Studio, Suite 1401, Room C, Duderstadt Center

“I provide support for the Visualization Studio, help with motion capture, the render garden and Maya”

Steffen

dvincenz@umich.edu
(he, him)

734-647-7987

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“I’m a graphics artist and UI/UX developer specializing in web, mobile, and virtual reality platforms. I love making work that’s clean, friendly, and accessible. If you need someone to make something look nice, or make sure anyone can use it, I’m here to help.”

Danny

kpsnyder@umich.edu
(she, her)

734-764-2090

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“I’m a reformed singer turned audio and media engineer who enjoys building complex integrations between analog and digital systems.

I support the myriad of productions and their associated technologies that come through the audio and video studios. I am here to help facilitate the technical and creative needs of your project. Learn more about me at https://kpsnyder.com“

Kylie

markg@umich.edu

734-936-1825

Suite 2161 – Room 2172, Duderstadt Center

“In addition to being Senior Director of the College of Engineering’s CAEN IT group, I am advisory to the Digital Media Commons. This enables deep collaboration and resource sharing between CAEN and the DMC to provide integrated technology solutions to Duderstadt Center users.”

Mark

jcaudio@umich.edu

734-647-5737

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“The DMC IT Operations team supports the DMC specialized labs utilizing advanced computers, various media devices, XR, audio, video, and the software that is needed to develop and create in each of these fields. We also run the background systems supporting the labs.”

Forest

nmilety@umich.edu
(he, him)

734-647-3570

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“My work is primarily focused on maintaining the Windows Operating System. If you need software deployed, or updated, or new tech integrated with Windows computing environment, I’m here to do just that!”

Nathan

zaren@umich.edu

(he, him, his)

734-615-0621

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“I want to ensure our DMC computers are running properly, so that anyone can sit down and get right to work at any time. This means keeping software and hardware up to date, tested, and maintained with a minimum of interruption and inconvenience to our clients. It also means being there to lend a friendly hand when an unfortunate interruption does pop up.”

Jim

Student Program Manager,
Ground Connections

734-615-7689

siancd@umich.edu
(she/her)

Suite 1315, Room E, Duderstadt Center

“I manage and support Ground Connections’ diverse group of student employees. With a background in university teaching, I am passionate about promoting student well-being and building inclusive, accessible, creative, and joyful learning environments. You can talk to me to learn more about our student consultant program and how our consultants can help you engage with the Digital Media Commons’ technologies.”

Sian

kreister@umich.edu
(she, her)

734-763-0606

Note: temporarily relocated, email me for my current location (formerly in Suite 1315). You can also often find me in the Gallery – Room 1019; in the Connector Hall between the DC Atrium and Pierpont Commons.

“As Manager of the Duderstadt Center (DC) Gallery, I manage the ever-changing schedule of gallery exhibits and events. I am available to guide students through the exhibition process: planning, installing, and promoting their work.

Additionally, I serve as one of the DEI Co-leads for the DC (with Steve Eberle); I am on the website editing team; and occasionally guide DC tours. Feel free to ask me about any of these. I am happy to chat!”

Kathi

magirard@umich.edu
(he, him)

734-763-3072

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Cente)

“I am available to support productions that occur in the audio and video studios.”

Matt

Managing Producer, Audio Studios
Media and Studio Arts

dspan@umich.edu
(he, him)

734-936-7659

Suite 1315, Room B; you can often find me in Audio Studio A, Room 1321, Duderstadt Center

“Grad Student? DMA? Professor? Need a publication? I want to help you with creating your art. New to recording? I can help you with how studios work, how to listen, and tips on productions. Want to improve your audio production skills? Come to one of my workshops. Don’t see what you want to do listed? Let me know and we will figure something out.”

Dave

734-763-6156

Suite 1315, Duderstadt Center

“I support video studio projects and can assist with all elements of production. I am also a resource for answering post-production-related questions.”

Patterson