Dominic DiPaolo ’15MFA has been awarded the University Club of Orlando Chair in Advanced Computer Technology at Valencia College. The Endowed Chair for Learning Leadership Program honors outstanding members of the Valencia teaching faculty and provides resources needed for the advancement of instruction at Valencia.
DiPaolo graduated from the SVAD Emerging Media MFA program as part of the Studio Art & Design cohort in 2015. Currently, DiPaolo is a professor of digital media at Valencia College and is also serving as interim program chair.
“I tell my students to be sure that higher education is something they want to pursue because of how competitive it is to find a full-time placement, especially in the arts. I was an adjunct for five years before I started at Valencia. It was a difficult time and I considered changing careers at times. Aside from determination, a strong portfolio and a desire to teach is essential to finding full-time work as a faculty member,” DiPaolo said.
As the Category Two Distinguished Scholar, he was awarded $6,700 to recognize academic excellence at Valencia College. This chair will fund curriculum development based on asset creation for augmented reality (AR) in partnership with Konig Willem I College (KWIC) in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands during the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, it will allow the purchase of AR equipment, including the ZED Mini Mixed Reality Camera, and the trip to Europe to work with faculty at KWIC.
“Personally, this is a big accomplishment and a career goal I have been trying to achieve since I started working full time for the college in 2019,” DiPaolo said.
View the list of Valencia College 2022-2023 Endowed Chair Recipients.
Learn more about the Emerging Media MFA – Studio art & Design program.