As an educator and researcher, I'm passionate about discovering the transformative potential hidden within emerging technologies that others dismiss as mere entertainment or novelty. From establishing the scientific relevance of competitive gaming to exploring AI-augmented learning, I believe education's most powerful breakthroughs come from the most unexpected places.

Contact Information

Department of Digital Media, URBN Center 220D Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts and Design Drexel University Philadelphia, PA 19104

Email: [email protected] Website: http://www.michaelgwagner.com

Education

1. Master of Business Administration (MBA) | 1999-2001 High Technology Management Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ
2. Habilitation (Venia Docendi) | 2000 Computer Aided Geometry Vienna University of Technology Department of Discrete Mathematics and Geometry Thesis: “Multimedia and Geometry”
3. PhD (Doctor of Natural Sciences - Dr. rer. nat.) | 1990-1994 Applied Mathematics Vienna University of Technology Dissertation: “A Geometric Approach to Motion Design” Advisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Helmut Pottmann
4. Master of Natural Sciences (Mag. rer. nat.) | 1986-1990 Mathematics and Descriptive Geometry Education Vienna University of Technology Thesis: “Sichtbarkeitsalgorithmen” (“Visibility Algorithms”) Advisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Hellmuth Stachel

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Drexel University, Westphal College of Media Arts & Design, Philadelphia, USA

Professor of Digital Media | 2015-present Associate Professor of Digital Media | 2012-2015

• Administrative Positions:
• Head of the Department of Digital Media | 2014-present
• Program Director of the PhD in Digital Media | 2021-present
• Interim Associate Dean of Research and Graduate Studies | 2017-2020
• Program Director of the Online M.S. in Digital Media | 2020-2021
• Program Director of the Graduate Digital Media Program | 2012-2017
• Notable Service:
• Member of the Provost Standing Committee on Artificial Intelligence | 2024-present
• Vice-chair of the Senate Committee of Academic Affairs (SCAA) | 2024-present
• Vice-chair of the Westphal Faculty Caucus | 2023-2025
• Chair of the Westphal Advisory Committee on Artificial Intelligence | 2024
• Chair of the SCAA Undergraduate Subcommittee | 2023-2024
• Chair of the Westphal Faculty Caucus | 2021-2023
• Chair of the Senate Committee on Academic Affairs (SCAA) | 2015-2017
• Chair of the Search Committee for the CCI Dean | 2015-2016
• Key Accomplishments:
• Served as the founding Department Head of the Department of Digital Media
• Designed and implemented first PhD program in the Westphal College of Media Arts and Design
• Managed one of the leading Game Design programs in the USA

Kirchliche Pädagogische Hochschule Wien/Krems, Austria

Rector | 2010-2012

• Key Accomplishments:
• Led ecumenical Christian multi-campus college with 2,500 full-time students and 10,000 in-service teacher training students

Danube University Krems, Austria

Professor of Technology Enhanced Learning and Multimedia | 2005-2012 (on academic leave 2010-2012) Director, Applied Game Studies Division | 2008-2012 (on academic leave 2010-2012) Founding Chair, Department of Interactive Media and Educational Technologies | 2005-2006 Director, Center for Education and Media | 2003-2005