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ROTC and digital media programs showcase cadet commissioning, industry placements and curriculum innovations
Summary
Presentations at the ETSU Board meeting highlighted ROTC commissioning successes and the digital media/animation program's growth, industry connections and plans to add AI coursework and dual‑enrollment pathways.
Two campus programs presented updates to the board that highlighted workforce and experiential learning outcomes.
Lieutenant Colonel Kenneth Monas outlined the ROTC program's record and partnerships: the unit marked its 70th commissioning class, has extension and cross‑town partnerships (including UVA Wise, King University, Emory & Henry and Milligan), produced more than 1,600 officers historically and reported strong commissioning numbers for the current mission set. Monas and Master Sergeant Turco emphasized scholarships and training opportunities that support cadets' transition to active duty and described regional cadet engagement and competitions. "These training that they get here at ETSU is immediately put into use within a year, of them becoming officers in the army," Monas said.
A faculty team from the Department of Digital Media (Marty Fitzgerald, Dr. Todd Emma and Greg Marlowe) described program structure that they said supports immediate career entry: four concentrations (digital gaming, animation, visualization, VFX), production courses with client work (a partnership with East Tennessee Children's Hospital), growing graduate outcomes (first MFA graduates), and alumni placed at regional studios and national companies including Epic Games. The presenters noted plans to integrate artificial intelligence into coursework and cited examples of student work that landed internships or paid placements. Greg Marlowe highlighted recent student placements, including an MFA graduate accepting an internship with Epic Games: "Jared McGill... accepted a paid internship with Epic, as an animator on Fortnite." The faculty also described dual‑enrollment articulation with Walters State Community College and ongoing talks with Northeast State.
Both presentations emphasized experiential learning and external partnerships as drivers of program success; trustees asked questions about recruiting, program metrics and regional workforce impact.
