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“The Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies recognizes the incredible power residing at every young person’s fingertips – their smartphone, their PC, their connection to the online world. How to use this power for the good of humanity is the mission of CENT.”

Dr. Donald Marinelli, director

Point Park University's new Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies (CENT) is revolutionizing student education by blending cutting-edge technology including extended reality, generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies, with artistic expression to create immersive user experiences. At the helm of this innovative initiative is Dr. Donald Marinelli, a seasoned expert with decades of experience bridging the worlds of theater and entertainment technology.

“CENT exemplifies Point Park's commitment to growth through innovation,” said Dr. Chris W. Brussalis, president of Point Park. “This initiative leverages our core strengths while offering students an immersive learning experience that fosters creativity and drives the development of groundbreaking ideas. Attracting Don Marinelli to Point Park underscores the excitement and potential of what we're doing and having him at the helm of CENT shows that leaders in their fields want to be a part of what Point Park is doing.”

Marinelli, who cofounded the world-renowned Entertainment Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University, is excited to bring his knowledge and experience to Point Park.

“CENT recognizes the incredible power residing at every young person’s fingertips — their smartphone, their PC, their connection to the online world,” he said. “How to use this power for the good of humanity is the mission of CENT.”

Working with emerging technologies such as virtual reality, augmented reality, generative artificial intelligence and immersive media, students will learn innovative storytelling techniques that can be applied to fields such as entertainment, edutainment, social media and others. 

Marinelli noted that universities are typically slow to react as technology evolves.

“Point Park, in contrast, has accepted and embraced that challenge wholeheartedly,” he said. “I am tremendously impressed by everyone I have met at Point Park, viewing them as fellow pioneers seeking to apply technological innovation in all manner of life experience.”

The University’s willingness to combine today’s technical innovation with a demonstrated excellence in experiential storytelling is what excites him the most.

“Point Park today reminds me very much of the Carnegie Mellon University I joined back in 1981 – a renowned regional university on the precipice of national and international greatness,” he said.

This fall, an introductory course will be offered at Point Park. The course will examine the history and consider the future of experiential narratives and explore the creative possibilities of extended reality, generative artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. Small, interdisciplinary teams will build prototyped interactive worlds to meet the real-world needs of actual community clients. The course will culminate in a hybrid demonstration of student projects.

As CENT continues to develop, further opportunities will be given to Point Park students to gain hands-on experience that prepares them for careers at the intersection of technology, media and storytelling.