Faculty/Industry Advisors

Travis Cloyd
Program Director

Travis Cloyd is an award-winning immersive experience creator, filmmaker, and media executive dedicated to pioneering next-generation storytelling and experiential content. As the Director of D.R.E.A.M.S. (Digital Research Entertainment Arts Media Sciences) and Professor at Florida International University, Cloyd brings a wealth of expertise in emerging media, entertainment technology, and global enterprise innovation to the forefront of the institution’s digital evolution.

Awarded the FIU Medallion in 2021 for his contributions to university service, Cloyd previously co-directed the iSTAR (Immersive Studio for Altered Reality) program. Most recently, he served as the Global Futurist and Professor at Thunderbird School of Global Management at Arizona State University, where he led the Metaverse and Global Enterprise master’s program. He also sat on the AI Committee, helping shape the institution’s approach to generative technology and enterprise innovation.

His career spans collaborations with government agencies, Fortune 500 enterprises, top academic institutions, and A-list talent, working across film, immersive media, artificial intelligence, virtual production, and location-based entertainment. He has been recognized by Time Magazine, Forbes, Fortune, Variety, and CNBC’s Meet The Press, positioning him as a disruptor at the intersection of education, entertainment and emerging technology.

Davina Clarke, Ph.D.
Director, School of Communication

Dr. Davina Clarke’s leadership and strong work ethic have been instrumental in shaping her academic and professional career. She understands that the students, faculty, and staff play a vital role in the success of the university.

With over 20 years of experience in academia, Dr. Clarke uses a variety of platforms and techniques to engage learners. She teaches a variety of Communication courses, including Business Communication, Communication in Film and Conflict Management. She has led in curricular innovations and improved the structure and design of the business communication courses. She also worked with FIU Online to certify these courses for Quality Matters (QM).

Dr. Clarke is a strong advocate for experiential and global learning. As one of the educators in the Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) program, she has seen students have eye-opening experiences as they engage in global learning at a deeper level. Whether students engage in learning at a regional or global level, she believes that each individual has the potential to excel in their courses and ultimately their career. Dr. Clarke is a strong advocate for community outreach and believes that students should use their education to impact not only their career field, but also the world around them.

Tom Dolan

Tom Dolan is a visionary entrepreneur, investor, and leader in digital transformation with a focus on sports, entertainment, and location-based experiences. He has played an instrumental role in major projects across media, finance, and infrastructure, working with some of the most renowned global brands and institutions.

Vincent Butta

Vincent Butta is the CEO of Nexxt Stage Productions, a digital location-based entertainment company. With 30 years of leadership across industries, he has contributed to entertainment (Solaris Entertainment films), retail (Reebok’s Pump Sneaker, Starbury sneakers), consumer products, health and wellness (Dashing Diva), B2B/B2C tech (IoT, satellite communications), and social media (Triller, Lomotif). He has expertise in global digital infrastructure, real estate, and entertainment technology, and has worked with institutions like Allen & Company and BTIG, leading Triller to 10M+ users and a successful acquisition.

Lee Caplin

Mr. Caplin is a serial entrepreneur who was a founding faculty member of California State University’s high-tech campus in Monterey. He is co-Founder of Penske Media Corporation which owns Variety magazine, Rolling Stone magazine, The Robb Report, Womenswear Daily magazine and 20 other iconic entertainment brands. He is also executive producer of Sony Pictures’ Academy Award-nominated feature film, Ali, and producer of HBO’s multi-Emmy award-winning television series True Detective. His book, The Business of Art, is a three-time international bestseller. Through the generosity of Mr. Caplin the Lee Caplin School of Journalism & Media, and the Lee Caplin Immersive Studio for Altered Reality (iSTAR) were established within FIU. It was one of the largest donations to a journalism and media program in the State University System of Florida in support of developing the next generation of journalists and media professionals.

Kimberlee Archer

Kimberlee Archer is an FIU alum and industry leader. She is a global strategist and marketing executive in the AI, XR, and digital entertainment sectors. Over the last decade worked at Samsung, Meta, and Snapchat. All in roles dedicated to accelerating adoption of immersive media, gaming, and consumer technology. Has worked with LBE leaders across technology, arts, consumer goods, retail, education and healthcare.

Cathy Hackl

Cathy Hackl is an FIU alum and leading authority in the metaverse, AI, and Web3. She has held senior roles at Magic Leap, HTC Vive, and AWS, advising major companies on emerging technology strategies. A sought-after speaker, author, and industry analyst, she is shaping the future of digital transformation across industries.

Billy Zane

Billy Zane is a renowned actor, producer, and technologist, best known for his roles in Titanic, Back to the Future, and Twin Peaks. Beyond entertainment, he is a pioneer in immersive storytelling, digital content creation, and environmental advocacy. As the Founder and CEO of The Convergence Lab at Caltech, he works at the intersection of technology, art, and global impact initiatives.

Wesley Snipes

Dr. Wesley Snipes, best known as the The Daywalker from the Blade trilogy, is a Hollywood icon, producer, writer,martial artist and futurist with a career spanning  broadway theatre, tv and blockbuster films like Demolition Man, New Jack City, and White Men Can’t Jump. Beyond acting, he is a visionary entrepreneur leading the Daywalker Network ecosystem, a  sustainability focused, next-generation  SaaS and communication platform integrating MVNO, OTT streaming, eCommerce, encrypted communications, and AI-driven experiences. A pioneer in digital innovation and Web3 engagement, Dr. Snipes continues to push the boundaries of entertainment and technology, blending innovative iconic storytelling, and cutting-edge digital solutions.

Darcy Troy Pollack

Darcy Troy Pollack is a 30-year veteran of the Location-Based Entertainment industry. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Immersive Experiences at MGM Resorts, where she led creative initiatives at the forefront of the rapidly evolving immersive sector. Prior to MGM, she held a leadership role at Walt Disney Imagineering, launching the “New Experiences” group focused on emerging formats and technologies. Also, a graduate of Yale College and Harvard Business School.

Dave Stump, ASC

Dave Stump is an Academy Award-winning cinematographer, visual effects artist, and digital media pioneer. He has worked on X-Men, The Morning Show, Quantum of Solace, and Pirates of the Caribbean, and is a recognized expert in virtual production, Unreal Engine, and immersive media. He also chairs the Camera and Metadata Committees for the ASC Motion Imaging Technology Council.

Phillip Thigo

H.E. Philip Thigo, MBS, is the Ambassador and Special Envoy on Technology for the Republic of Kenya. A globally recognized technology and public policy expert, he has championed the ethical and inclusive use of AI for social and economic development. He serves on distinguished boards, including NASA’s Earth Science Division on EO4SDGs, and previously served on the UN Secretary-General’s High-Level Advisory Body on AI. In 2024, he was named among the World’s Top 100 in AI by Apolitical and honored with Mozilla’s RISE25 Award for AI leadership. In 2023, he received the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) for his distinguished service to Kenya.

Ted Schilowitz

Ted Schilowitz is a futurist, producer, and immersive media pioneer. As the former Futurist at Paramount Pictures and 20th Century Fox, he has worked on groundbreaking projects such as The Martian VR and Wild VR experiences. A founding team member of RED Digital Cinema, he has been at the forefront of virtual production, digital cinema, and next-generation storytelling.

Leslie Shannon

Leslie Shannon is a futurist and “Novophiliac” – someone who’s in love with the new. In the world of technology, that means so many wonderful things – 5G, Augmented/Virtual/Mixed Reality, Visual Analytics, Next-Gen Gaming, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and so on. She specializes in standing at the center of all of these innovations and understanding how they will influence and encourage each other, and what our future world will look like as a result.

David Frangioni

David Frangioni is an award-winning music technologist, entrepreneur, and entertainment executive, having worked with Aerosmith, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, and KISS. As a leading figure in immersive audio, sound design, and digital music production, he has built world-class studios and technology solutions for the biggest names in entertainment.