Tyler was first acquainted with the New Media Institute as an Entertainment and Media Studies student. In order to explore his growing interest in user experience design, development, and all things NMI, he became a member of the inaugural Emerging Media Double Dawg class earning his Emerging Media Masters in 2021. Now Tyler can be found roaming the fourth floor as an NMI admin and the faculty advisor to incoming and returning undergraduate and graduate students in the New Media Certificate. He’s also teaching a variety of New Media courses and helping expand the NMI through the cultivation of industry relations.
Department: New Media Institute
The New Media Interdisciplinary Certificate is a credential certifying the student’s understanding of and proficiency in new media. A student earns the certificate while completing a degree in his or her chosen field of study. Earning the certificate guarantees that a graduate is expert in the application of technology within a given profession. To qualify for the certificate students must complete seventeen hours with a B or better in designated courses: eleven hours of certificate core courses and six hours of elective courses.
Sterling
Kyla Sterling began her New Media Institute journey in 2018 as an Emerging Media Master’s student. Now, as faculty advisor for the New Media Certificate program, she oversees students’ journeys all the way from recruitment to graduation. In addition, she teaches certificate courses and continues to grow the NMI network by working closely with alumni and corporate partners. Prior to moving to Athens, Sterling taught college writing and literature in the English department at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she also earned a Master of Fine Arts degree.
Moss
Leah Moss serves as the Emerging Media faculty advisor in the New Media Institute. An alumna of the first cohort of the Emerging Media Master’s concentration, Moss now leads the efforts to further develop the rapidly growing program by designing curriculum to match the fast-paced industry and cultivating a culture of innovation. Additionally, Moss plays a valuable role in the New Media Certificate program by teaching a variety of certificate courses and leading communication efforts. Before returning to Grady College, Moss worked at UGA Public Service and Outreach to elevate UGA’s reputation as the state’s flagship, land-grant institution through writing articles, developing project management strategies and coordinating web development.
Young
Dayne Young (ABJ ’11) is the program coordinator for the Carmical Sports Media Institute and the New Media Institute, a role he began in 2022. He graduated from the University of Georgia with a degree in digital and broadcast journalism. He returned to Grady College in October 2018 to serve as a P.R. specialist on the external relations team.
He began his career as a news reporter for WALB in Albany, Ga. He then worked in the sports department at WRBL in Columbus, Ga. serving as sports director, anchor and reporter covering local athletics and many national events including SEC Championships, a Final Four and The Masters.
After exiting the broadcast studio, Dayne was a high school video and audio production instructor. He returned to Athens to work as a public relations account lead at See.Spark.Go, an Athens-based public relations agency.
Dayne remains an active sports journalist and reports for UGAsports.com, part of the Rivals network.
Dayne and his wife, Lauren, are parents to two daughters, Layla and Carter.
Ward
About: Originally from Jupiter, Florida, Megan Ward fled the gator state to be a double-dawg, earning both her Bachelors and Masters in Public Relations from Grady College. An NMI alumna herself, Megan has worked with the NMI since 2011 and has served in a variety of capacities. Currently, Megan serves as the Administrative Director of the NMI, overseeing all daily operations for the largest undergraduate certificate at UGA. She also teaches undergraduate and graduate courses for both the NMI and the Emerging Media Master’s concentration. As TEDxUGA licensee, Megan has served as mama to all things TED here on campus since 2013. Megan leads all organization and curation efforts for the annual TEDxUGA event in March.
Gerlach
About: With an educational background in integrated marketing communications, a passion in technology, and experience in interactive digital media, Chris Gerlach brings an unorthodox background and unique perspective to the table. Chris has worked with the New Media Institute since 2015, teaching a variety of subjects throughout the New Media Certificate, Emerging Media Masters, and Master of Business and Technology programs including user experience strategy, digital design, web development, product ideation, product presentation, project management, and more. Chris’s fascination spans the creative process from ideation to execution in both digital and physical form. When Chris isn’t nerding out with the latest tech trends, you’ll find him playing intramurals or video games, renovating his home with his wife, Ali, or spending quality time with his baby boy, Banning.
Weatherford
About:
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Experience
John Weatherford serves on the faculty of the New Media Institute in the Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Georgia. His courses cover topics including iOS app development, emerging photographic technologies, and digital product design. He serves on the steering committee for TEDxUGA as Director of Production and Photography and has been awarded fellowships focused on technology and teaching. Prior to joining the NMI, John taught in the English Department at UGA, where he developed courses such as Documentary Filmmaking and Writing for Nonprofits. He co-founded and serves as CFO of the Calliope Initiative, a non-profit open-source software project that designs web applications for writing courses.
Aldridge
About: Emuel Aldridge is a graduate of UGA and has worked in the NMI since 2006. He currently teaches three courses at the NMI: New Media Production, teaching students how to code and build websites; Capstone, overseeing the creation of a functional project; and Rich Media Production, teaching students how to produce native iOS applications. He is fluent in Spanish, and has worked extensively in research aimed at developing strategies for supporting the transition of Hispanic Adults into post secondary education.
Teaching Specialties
Teach undergraduate students how to acquire and implement multiple forms of media into interactive environments such as games, educational exercises, and websites.