FTC Interactive Media Arts Division Faculty

SHARON RYBA-PERTZ
Assistant Professor, Interim Division Chair Interactive Media Arts
B.S. College of Staten Island, Nesbitt College of Design Arts at Drexel University (Antoinette Westphal College of Media Arts & Design)

Sharon Ryba-Pertz’s unique and diverse background in education and production for and with the industry’s premier artists, editors, and designers in digital media arts; as well as, working in K-12, and higher education, allows her to see where the industry is, where it’s going, and how to prepare our students for careers in digital media and interactive arts.

Sharon studied Design at Drexel University and through her experiences in Performance art and studies of lighting and capturing performance, she transitioned to Cinema Studies and earned her degree in Media Communications with a focus on News and Documentary. She has been a Video Editor for 25 years in the television broadcast and entertainment industries. Still and Motion Graphics Designer with 20 years’ experience in private, public, government, and educational sectors. Editor and designer on various projects ranging from producing content and shows for 3D stereoscopic domed and immersive environments to designing and developing corporate branding and UX/UI design. Instructor in Design, Digital Media Art, and Editing for over 20 years.

Digital, Traditional, and Performance artist with works previously featured in Los Angeles, Hawaii, New York City, as well as International and North American traveling and installation shows.

Karen Pellechia

Professor, Interactive Media Arts; Dean of Online Education Division
B.A., Queens College
M.F.A., Brooklyn College

Karen Pellecchia has been serving as both educator and administrator in Higher Education for over 30 years. She has served as mentor and senior faculty member at several institutions specializing in studio art and application of design principles. Earning an MFA in Painting and Drawing from Brooklyn College, Pellecchia received the Charles G. Shaw graduate award for distinction in the painting medium, and was the recipient of a Full Fellowship at the Vermont Studio awarded by renowned artist Wolf Kahn. Her work is part of international and corporate collections and has been featured in several interior design publications. Throughout her career, Pellecchia has expanded her art to fashion, interior and landscape design. Her fashion designs have been sold at Bergdorf Goodman, NYC; Mitsukoshi and Lane Crawford, Japan; and have been featured in Women’s Wear Daily, Elements, and W Magazine.

Julie Haring

Instructor
B.F.A., Cooper Union School; M.A., New York Institute of Technology; M.S., Long Island University

Julie Haring, a successful professional in the field of Motion Graphics, holds a MA in Communication Arts from NYIT and an MS Ed from Long Island University.

During her many years in digital design and animation, Professor Haring has worked in small creative teams on a broad range of projects for local broadcast, medical simulation, virtual reality, and corporate events. She has designed and animated branded and original assets for clients such as Cablevision, SmileTrain, Canon USA, Inc., Weight Watchers, and ABC.

She has also brought her expertise and creative skills to educational projects to include online course design for corporate training at Canon USA, Inc. and virtual exhibit components for the Heckscher Museum and Huntington Long Island School District.

Adjunct Faculty

Paul Biedermann, Instructor
B.F.A., Washington University in St. Louis (School of Design & Visual Arts)

Kristy Caratzola, Instructor
B.F.A., LIU Southampton; M.F.A., LIU Post

Brad Darrohn, A.A., Instructor
Suffolk County Community College; BS, Full Sail University

Robert Field, Assistant Professor
B.A., LIU Post; M.A., Syracuse University

Kenneth Geary, A.S., Instructor
SUNY Farmingdale; BSEE, Polytechnic Institute of NY

Nick Selvaggio, Instructor
B.S., New York Institute of Technology

Adam Tatz, Instructor
B.F.A., University of Delaware