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I believe that one class, one project, one undiscovered passion or talent, or even one teacher has the unique and immensely valuable opportunity to open a new door and change the outcome.
NMI Lecturer
Technology is interwoven in nearly every aspect of people’s lives from entertainment to utility, and what we do at the New Media Institute and Emerging Media Master’s program is at the heart of it all.
It’s often easy to navigate through college going through the motions, learning how to survive projects, papers, and tests only to make it out the other side with a piece of paper and a fragile mental database of forgettable facts. I believe the college experience should be so much more.
College is one of the few opportunities in life where you can wholly dedicate yourself to learning entirely new skills, honing your existing talents, and opening doors to learning experiences that can truly transform your future. I’m passionate about opening those doors, pushing students to explore abilities they don’t know they have, and fostering a desire to dive deeper rather than simply cross the finish line. As a lecturer with the New Media Institute at UGA, I’m fortunate to be part of a team wholly dedicated to this mission.
Like my interests, my instructional focus spans various aspects of emerging media including product ideation, user experience design, interactive project management, and product development, among other areas. I’m passionate about taking innovative paths outside the box to create compelling products and provide real-world solutions. I also love the world of gaming, and I nerd-out for anything AR, AI, and IoT.
Outside of work, I’m a husband and fur father of two crazy dogs. I enjoy building and creating things, both digital and physical. I love sports and fill my time with pickup leagues and intramurals. My deeply competitive nature and geeky disposition also drives my passion for video games. When I’m not not on the field or behind a screen, I love traveling with my wife, hosting board game nights with friends, and spending some quality time with the great outdoors.
Chris joined the NMI in 2013 as a Graduate Assistant, equipped with a strong foundation in integrated marketing communications and a curiosity for emerging technology. During his undergraduate years, he earned the New Media Certificate, which fueled his journey into interactive digital media and set the stage for a dynamic career. With a Master’s in Advertising and a Bachelor’s in Marketing from the University of Georgia, Chris combines industry knowledge and creative insight in his work at the NMI, continually inspiring students and shaping the learning experience.
Since officially joining the NMI team, Chris has embraced various roles, from web and graphic design to teaching a variety of courses across the New Media Certificate, Emerging Media Masters, and Master of Business and Technology programs. His courses, which include New Media Design, Web Development, Native App Development, UX Strategy, Project Management, Capstone courses, and more, reflect his passion for pushing creative boundaries and inspiring students to think beyond the conventional. Chris focuses on hands-on, immersive learning experiences, providing students with real-world skills that shape their careers.
His teaching philosophy is rooted in a passion for emerging media and its innovative applications, particularly MR, AI, smart technologies, and the user experience that ties it all together. He views college as a transformative journey, encouraging students to explore new skills, challenge themselves, and uncover hidden talents. Outside the classroom, Chris enjoys playing intramurals, gaming, and working on home renovation projects with his family. Whether hosting board game nights, traveling, or exploring the outdoors, Chris brings energy and curiosity to everything he does.
Learn more about Chris Gerlach