Faculty and Staff
Faculty and Staff
Gordon S. Carlson, PhD
Professor, Informatics
Director, Institute for New Media Studies
Dr. Carlson completed his Bachelors and Masters degree in Communication at Oregon State University. He completed his doctorate in New Media Communication at the University of Illinois at Chicago while working in the Electronic Visualization Laboratory. Having taught in Chicago, Hawaii, and Kansas City, Dr. Carlson is currently at Fort Hays State University in Hays, Kansas. Previously a professor in Communication Studies, his work focuses on understanding how new media interact with rhetorical constructions through disruption and convergence. He is the founding Director of the Institute for New Media Studies which engages in a number of transdisciplinary projects, many of which revolve around 3D visualization of complex concepts and new approaches to pedagogy and learning.
Office: Tebo Library 042
Phone: 785-628-5876
Email: gscarlson@fhsu.edu
Ph.D., University of Illinois at Chicago
M.A., Oregon State University
B.S., Oregon State University
Mari Blankenbaker
Research Assistant
Mariah is in the Master of Fine Arts program with a concentration in Animation and Motion Graphics. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design at Fort Hays State University. Mariah has a strong interest in 3D modeling and learning new software.
B.F.A., Fort Hays State University
Nikki Li
Research Assistant
Nikki Li is joining the Institute for New Media Studies in August of 2026.
Alioune Gueye
Research Assistant
Alioune Gueye is joining the Institute for New Media Studies in August of 2026.
Keiden Mills
Research Assistant
Keiden Mills is joining the Institute for New Media Studies in August of 2026.
Previous Staff
Daniel Adesoji
M.S., Fort Hays State University
B.S., Adekunle Ajasin University
Levi Eck
Research Assistant
Levi Eck completed his Bachelor of Science in Information Networking and Telecommunications with a concentration in Web and Mobile Application Development. He initially studied graphic design before shifting to the Informatics department. In addition, he was a percussionist in ensembles such as marching band, wind ensemble, and percussion ensemble. Following graduation, Levi is beginning his career as a web developer.
B.S., Fort Hays State University
Juan Guzman-Duran
Research Assistant
Juan completed his MFA in 2026.
M.F.A., Fort Hays State University
Honesty Beaton
Research Assistant
Honesty Beaton completed her bachelor's degree in Computer Science and is now working on her master's degree in Cybersecurity. She is passionate about technology and innovation. Honesty has worked on projects in virtual and augmented reality, videogame development, television graphics, and projection mapping. She is a data analyst for a major American technology company.
B.S., Fort Hays State University
Teemo Shi
Research Assistant
Teemo completed his Master of Communication Studies program with an emphasis in Organizational Communication. He earned his Bachelors of Finance at Zhengzhou University and Bachelors of Business Administration at Fort Hays State University. After graduation, Teemo worked in the admissions office of Sias International University as a government outreach specialist. Teemo has shown great interest in the Internet of Things and wants to pursue a career in this field.
M.S, Fort Hays State University
B.B.A., Fort Hays State University
B.E., Zhengzhou University
Jonathan Hunnacutt
Research Assistant
Jonathan completed his Masters of Business Administration in Management Information Systems. He completed his Bachelors in Information Systems at Fort Hays State University. Jonathan is using his business degree and knowledge in technology in a national sales position.
M.B.A., Fort Hays State University
B.S., Fort hays State university
Anshul Bansal
Research Assistant
Anshul completed his Master of Business Administration program with a concentration in Marketing and Finance. He earned his Bachelors degree in Pharmacy and after graduation, Anshul worked in the healthcare industry as regulatory affairs specialist. Anshul has shown great interest in web design, learning new technology/software, and utilizing these skills in the marketing field.
M.B.A., Fort Hays State University
M.Pharm., Drug Regulatory Affairs, Amity University
Ella Ding
Research Assistant
Ella completed her Bachelors at Nanyang Normal University and Masters degree in Psychology at Tianjin Normal University of China. After graduation, she worked for the Academic Evaluation & Assessment Office of Sias International University. During design of the Sias Academic Evaluation management system, she took a strong interest in web design. Ella completed her Masters of Professional Studies (MPS) program focused on web development as is now a Web Content Developer for Fort Hays State University.
M.P.S, Fort Hays State University
M.Ed., Tianjin Normal University
B.S., Nanyang Normal University
Oliver Zhang
Research Assistant
Oliver (Peng Zhang) earned his Bachelors of Engineering at Zhengzhou University in China and completed a Masters degree focused on Information Assurance at Fort Hays State University. He served as the Director of the Instructional Technology department at Sias International University where he supported faculty development training, instructional design, and learning management system management. Oliver also completed a Masters of Professional Studies in Web Development at Fort Hays State University and intends to pursue a Ph.D. in human-computer interaction and data sciences.
M.P.S, Fort Hays State University
M.P.S., Fort Hays State University
B.E., Zhengzhou University
Jeremiah Okebukola
Research Assistant
M.B.A, Fort Hays State University
Brittney Reed
Research Assistant
M.S., Fort Hays State University
B.S., Fort Hays State University
Previous Student Researchers
Tessa Simon
New Media Artist, Institute for New Media Studies
Tessa Simon is originally from Wichita, Kansas where she developed her love of art and hands-on work. She is studying in Art and Design Programs working towards a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. Tessa chose to join the tiger family not only for the strong art program, but also because of the highly selective Honors College to which she was admitted. She completed her degree in 2022. Her role as a New Media Artist in the institute focused on a special project, Tiger Range, which looks to create multimodal visualizations of the Fort Hays State University campus in a number of formats including 2D, 3D, physical, digital, and virtual. Tessa’s work is part of a collaboration between the institute and the FHSU Foundation.
Anniston Anderson
Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: La Crosse, KS
Major: Biology Sciences
Anniston graduated from the Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science program at Fort Hays and then completed her studies in biology and chemistry at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville. In her free time, she enjoys reading, running, and spending time with friends. "The Institute for New Media Studies has been a great resource to continue to progress in biochemistry research project with Dr. Bencze."
Monica Michaud
Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: Hays, KS
Major: Computer Science
Monica Michaud studied Computer Science with a minor in Math and an emphasis in Physics. Originally from Hays, she attended high school at Thomas More Prep - Marian. Monica was involved in the FHSU Honor Society as the Vice President of Technology, the Honors College, Catholic Disciples, and the FHSU Marching Band playing the piccolo for a season. After graduating, she became a software engineer in central Kansas.
Emily Linder
Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: Overbrook, KS
Program: KAMS
Emily Linder is from Overbrook, KS and attended the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS) program at Fort Hays. She previously attended Baldwin High School in Baldwin City, KS, where she was highly active in theater, debate, and on the women's tennis team. She majored in English and Graphic Design. Emily used her fellowship to collaborate between the institute and Psychology department.
Christian Ermann
Undergraduate Researcher
Hometown: Liberal, KS
Program: KAMS
Christian Ermann is from Liberal, KS and attended the Kansas Academy of Math and Science (KAMS) program at FHSU. In his time here, he became involved in the KAMS-Honors College Executive Council and the Hays Venture Crew. In addition, he executed a number of research projects. He completed the program and left Fort Hays to study Computer Science at Lewis and Clark College. Christian used his fellowship to collaborate between the institute and Tebo Library.