Any other major, minor, certificate, and/or honors that will be on your graduation records

• Computer Science, B.S. - Game Development Track
• Honors College Certificate

Degree Mentors 

• Greg Kalember, Professor of Practice, Music
• Marc Olano, Associate Professor / Associate Dean, Computer Science and Electrical Engineering
• Steven McAlpine, Assistant Teaching Professor, Individualized Study 

Why did you choose to major in INDS?

I chose to major in INDS because I found myself becoming increasingly interested in music and sound design as a component of game development without any other viable academic pathway to explore it within. Through INDS, I have had the unique and wonderful opportunity to combine my game development coursework from my Computer Science major with my burgeoning love for music, designing and completing a separate degree in Game Soundtrack Design all within my graduation timeline. I am very grateful to the INDS program for opening the doors to music theory, composition, and production courses at UMBC that I never thought I would have had the time or chance to take, and for giving me the space and support to pursue my integrated passions.

What are your plans for after graduation, and how do you see using your INDS degree?

After graduation, I plan to find work at a local game studio (such as Firaxis Games, Oxide Games, or Bit Reactor) as a gameplay engineer and/or technical sound designer. Having been advised by several current industry members, I recognize that the programming skills I have honed through my Computer Science degree will most likely help me more for hiring sake all told. However, I believe that my soundtrack design experience (as developed entirely through my INDS degree) will make me a stronger and more versatile candidate with a wider array of job opportunities in the game industry.

Were you involved in any clubs or organizations? Did you hold any leadership positions? URCAD? URA? Off-campus internships? On-campus research experiences?

I have been an active member of the UMBC Game Developers Club since Fall of 2021 and served as the Vice President of the club since Spring of 2023. I have also participated in the past three URCADs, showcasing games I have developed with other members of the UMBC Game Developers Club. I have held a Software Engineering Internship position at the Imaging Research Center on campus since Fall of 2023, where I have been fortunate to work with an interdisciplinary team developing immersive experiences using game industry-standard software.

Evan was INDS 2024 Award Recipient and attended the Game Music and Sound Design Conference. Congrats Evan!

For more information on Evan's INDS journey please click here: