Michael Cassens is a teacher, collaborator, gamer, and mobile application developer. His current focus is on creating more meaningful experiences as an instructor, using gaming practices and theories to enhance course content, and building equitable games and applications for the marketplace using different games engines and mobile platforms. Michael is also the Director of eSports at the University of Montana, emphasizing diversity, equity, inclusion, and educational pathways for all players and team members. Most recently, Michael was appointed the Director of Access, Equity, and Inclusion in the College of Arts and Media.
Michael is currently an Associate Professor in the School of Visual and Media Arts. In addition to continuing his research, Michael teaches courses within the Game Design and Interactive Media concentration in the BFA program. These courses focus on preparing students to contribute to an evolving world using code and modern technology.
Michael also started his own consulting company in 2002 in which he still operates building software for small to medium-sized businesses. Michael has a B.A. in Biology as well as an M.S. in Computer Science. Originally from Boulder, CO, St. Louis, MO, then, Victor, MT, Michael loves being outside with his family as well as mountain biking, snowboarding, hiking, photography, and just being in nature.