The most exciting thing about the field of Emerging Media is that it intersects with just about everything. There is so much innovation happening in nearly every industry and a lot of that is focused on making digital products, ideas, and resources more accessible, interactive, and engaging.
Emerging Media and Double Dawgs Faculty Advisor + Lecturer
The most exciting thing about the field of Emerging Media is that it intersects with just about everything. There is so much innovation happening in nearly every industry and a lot of that innovation is focused on making digital products, ideas, and resources more accessible, interactive, and engaging; I think that’s where Emerging Media really shines.
As an instructor, I love that this is a constantly evolving landscape, so there’s always more to learn. And I’m thrilled to be working with a truly diverse range of students who all bring fresh ideas and limitless creativity to the table every day.
One thing that I find particularly rewarding about working with online students is the range of life experiences that our students have: all sorts of career paths and backgrounds. They are often looking at grad school as a way to get closer to their dream job or goal. It’s a privilege to be one brick (among many) as students build a new foundation for that dream, whatever it is.
I began my New Media Institute journey in 2018 as an Emerging Media Master’s student. Now, as faculty advisor for the Emerging Media Online program, I oversee students’ journeys all the way from admission to graduation. I also teach a variety of courses for our online students, from web development to user experience strategy, content creation, and more. I’m also thrilled to work with our team to provide professional development opportunities for our students.
I’ve held several roles in higher education both inside and outside the classroom before joining the New Media Institute, including marketing and outreach and student engagement. Prior to moving to Athens, I taught college writing and literature at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where I also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree. Outside of work, I love books and all forms of storytelling. My husband and I spend a lot of time in the kitchen cooking together, going on walks, and chasing after our very energetic almost-toddler.
Learn more about Kyla Sterling
As Faculty Advisor for Emerging Media and Double Dawgs, Kyla oversees students’ journeys from recruitment to graduation—and beyond! She holds a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and a Master in Emerging Media from the University of Georgia, where her interest in the creative application of interactive technology flourished.
Kyla is passionate about helping students connect their passions to professional pursuits, craft standout portfolios, and prepare for their post-graduation goals. In the classroom, she focuses on applying design thinking principles to curriculum development and student success. She teaches a variety of courses on user experience strategy, research and design, digital storytelling, portfolio development, and Capstone courses.
Prior to joining the NMI in 2020, Kyla held several roles in higher education both inside and outside the classroom, including crafting student engagement strategy at the Terry College of Business and leading marketing and outreach efforts at The Georgia Review. Before moving to Athens, she taught as a Lecturer in the English Department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.
In her free time, Kyla enjoys writing, zipping around town on her ebike, and user-testing all the area parks and playgrounds with her son and husband.