Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television, Production Emphasis 

Angellina (Angell) Fioretto is graduating with a BFA in Film & Television production and a minor in Honors and Leadership. For her capstone project, Angell worked on three films, What Remains (a documentary about our national parks), Confetti (a spy / comedy film about secret agents trying to stop an evil organization), and The Highland Boutique (a drama / comedy about a woman trying to navigate her life). Angell includes working with stunt coordinators and traveling to national parks to capture footage for her capstone projects among her fondest memories of studying at CU Denver. As filmmaking is a highly collaborative endeavor, she says the connections she made on film sets are invaluable.

According to the film & television faculty, Angell stood out for her ability to unify people, a quality which makes her a gifted producer. “Angell excelled in the classroom, found her groove as an excellent producer for film and television, and was a unifier of people. I can't tell you how many times I have turned to Angell when I needed a hand,” Assistant Professor Andrew Bateman wrote. 

After graduation, Angell is determined to get on as many film sets as possible. “I want to meet more people, and there is a super cool film community within Colorado that I really want to explore more,” she says. Her dream job would be to produce either television or broadcast news.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television, Production Emphasis

Stefanie is graduating with a BFA in Film & Television production and a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Honors. While film students are only required to work on two films for their senior projects, Stefanie took on the challenge of four projects and the roles of 1^st AD, 2^nd AD, and producer. Outside the classroom, Stefanie had the opportunity to assist two professional filmmakers as their research assistant, doing critical behind the scenes work for their films.

Since the film & television program is cohort based, sometimes it can be challenging for transfer students to come into the program mid-stream. Stefanie made it work, though, coming in in her junior year. “In a short time, she proved herself to be a valuable and reliable crew member. Stefanie not only excelled as a crew member, but she was also always seeking new opportunities and to push herself,” Assistant Professor Andrew Bateman wrote.

Stefanie’s career aspirations include screenwriting and directing, but in the immediate future her plans include applying to grad school and traveling. She’s looking at a master’s in digital marketing. She’s also interested in pursuing a degree in Education with a minor in Psychology.

Bachelor of Science in Music, Songwriting Emphasis

Emelia Stahl is graduating with a BS in Music with a songwriting entrepreneurship emphasis with a minor in Leadership. Through her studies in songwriting and leadership, Emelia blended artistic passion with strategic vision, culminating in a research study through the University Honors and Leadership program that explored how socioeconomic status influences students’ choice of college major—particularly among art students.

Emelia served as the founding program director of Denver Lynx Radio, CU Denver’s first college radio station, and launched her own artist management company, currently representing four CU Denver students. These ventures reflect her dedication to building platforms for emerging artists and fostering community through music.

A pivotal moment in her academic career came during the Prague Recording Arts study abroad program in July 2024. While performing and immersing herself in global music cultures, Emelia discovered her passion for supporting artists behind the scenes. Though she continues to write and perform, her greatest joy lies in guiding others toward their creative potential.

After graduation, Emelia plans to travel through Europe before relocating to Los Angeles, where she plans to expand her artist management work and pursue opportunities at a talent agency. Long-term, her career aspirations involve making arts education more accessible for low-income students and helping to create sustainable careers in the arts.

Bachelor of Science in Music, Recording Arts Emphasis

With an emphasis in Recording Arts, Jonas Gilbert honed a wide array of skills—from live sound and event production to studio recording, mixing, mastering, and film scoring. His senior project showcased this versatility, which included creating a portfolio for the recording arts program featuring three singles and one EP recorded for singer-songwriter students. Jonas also worked on the score for the short film Echo Equinox, which was showcased at the Denver Film Festival. 

Jonas’s scoring work on the films Echo Equinox and Kino Kopf earned national acclaim, with both films winning Best Score awards at film festivals across the country. These achievements reflect his deep commitment to elevating visual narratives through sound and his growing reputation as a creative force in audio engineering.

His study abroad experiences—at NAMM in Anaheim through the Lamond GenNext scholarship, and in Mexico City during Art Week with the Biennial of the Americas—were transformative. They expanded his understanding of global art, introduced him to new career paths, and deepened his appreciation for the role of sound in cultural expression.

According to the Music & Entertainment Industry Studies faculty, Jonas stood out for his desire to learn. "From the first time I met Jonas Gilbert, I could tell that he was not just an average student. He has consistently shown himself to be committed to excellence in whatever is in front of him. I know he has a hunger for continuing to learn and grow as an artist, not just a musician," wrote Principal Instructor Todd Reid.

After graduation, Jonas will continue working in live sound at the Clocktower Cabaret and the recording studio Mighty Fine Productions, begin a mentorship through Grammy U, and prepare for his upcoming NAMM internship in January 2026. As a freelance sound engineer, he remains committed to producing music and dreams of one day building a recording studio in the Colorado mountains—a creative sanctuary where artists of all backgrounds can produce good music.

Master of Science in Media Forensics

Alexander (Zander) Nash is graduating with a master’s degree in media forensics. After more than a decade in educational video production, Zander sought a career that would allow him to apply his digital media skills “in a more specialized way,” he explains. Drawn by his longstanding interest in the American legal system, Zander enrolled in the NCMF program in 2023, where he quickly distinguished himself as a scholar and collaborator.

His thesis, Forensic Analysis of Discord JPEG and PNG Processing: Metadata, File Structure, and Image Data Alterations Across Common Discord Clients, addresses a critical gap in digital forensics research. By analyzing how Discord processes and stores image files on Android devices, Zander’s work provides law enforcement professionals with essential guidance for collecting and analyzing image evidence that can withstand scrutiny in court. NCMF faculty praised his ability to integrate experimental results with clear, evidence-based reasoning, noting that his rigorous yet creative approach was vital to the success of his research.

Zander also co-authored Exploring Dropbox Image Downloads to iPhone via Safari: File System vs. Camera Roll Validation Study, forthcoming in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. “His approach to problem-solving is rigorous and creative, and he consistently demonstrates initiative and leadership in group settings. Zander has a strong sense of academic integrity, combined with a passion for advancing the digital forensics field, which marks him as a scholar and collaborator of remarkable promise,” writes Associate Professor Catalin Grigoras.

Looking ahead, Zander plans to co-present research with his cohort at the American Academy of Forensic Sciences conference in New Orleans in February 2026. He is also exploring opportunities to serve as a digital forensic specialist for state or local law enforcement agencies. Long-term, he hopes to expand his thesis research into best practices for law enforcement, ensuring that digital evidence from platforms like Discord can be reliably collected and analyzed.

Master of Science in Media Forensics

Tierney Moe is graduating with a master’s degree in media forensics. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Music with an emphasis in Recording Arts at CU Denver, Tierney discovered the National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF) program—one of the only master’s programs in the nation dedicated to media forensics. Drawn by her dual passions for art and forensic science, Tierney embraced the opportunity to pursue both in a single discipline.

Her thesis, Analysis of Videos Transferred via the Telegram App Using Mobile Phones, addresses a critical gap in forensic research. With Telegram’s role in illicit activities and terrorist communications, Tierney’s work provides valuable insights into how video evidence is processed and preserved, offering law enforcement new tools for investigation. NCMF Faculty praised Tierney’s analytical precision and creative problem-solving, noting that her meticulous approach to experimental design elevated the quality of her research.

Tierney co-authored Exploring Dropbox Image Downloads to iPhone via Safari: File System vs. Camera Roll Validation Study, forthcoming in the Journal of Forensic Sciences. “Beyond her technical skill, Tierney brings intellectual curiosity and a collegial spirit to every endeavor, encouraging productive collaboration and discourse among her peers. Her professionalism, reliability, and depth of understanding distinguish her as a researcher whose potential reaches well beyond the classroom,” writes Associate Professor Catalin Grigoras.

Looking ahead, Tierney plans to continue her role at the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office, which is currently developing a media forensics unit. She also hopes to expand her research into impulse responses and their applications in media forensics. Outside of her academic and professional pursuits, she has set a personal goal of completing an Ironman triathlon within the next five years.

Bachelor of Arts in Art History

JoAnna Cordell is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Art History. During her time at CU Denver, JoAnna explored a wide range of art historical periods and methodologies, from Baroque and Rococo to Dada and Surrealism, as well as Arts of Asia and Contemporary Art. Her coursework with Dr. Yang Wang sparked a deep interest in Asian art and directly informed her senior thesis.

JoAnna’s undergraduate thesis focused on the early Chinese modernist artist Xu Beihong. Her research explored how Xu’s Western academic training shaped his efforts to reform art education in China while maintaining ties to traditional ink painting. JoAnna presented her work at the BA Thesis Symposium and CU Denver’s Research and Creative Activities Symposium (RaCAS). JoAnna also had the opportunity to present her research titled Ink as Resistance: Visual Activism Through Tattoo at the SUNY New Paltz Art History Symposium.

Beyond the classroom, JoAnna embraced opportunities to expand her global perspective. She studied abroad during Maymester 2024 on the Photography in Florence trip, where she combined art history with historical photo processes and cultural exploration. She also participated as a student scholar at Mexico City Art Week, hosted by the Biennial of the Americas and CAM, gaining firsthand experience with major international art fairs, exhibitions, and artist talks.

According to the Art History faculty, JoAnna stood out for her leadership in the classroom and her volunteer work in the community. Professor Maria Buszek writes: “Intelligent, organized, and reflective, her performance in all her classes with us has set the bar for her peers—stellar work that is reflected in her GPA. What is more difficult to quantify is how much work she has also put in to helping her cohort hone their own scholarly work—indeed, the success of all her Class of 2025 Art History graduates being juried into this year’s RaCAS was due in no small part to JoAnna’s efforts in workshopping their proposals and presentations.”

Bachelor Fine of Arts in Illustration

Vivian Vien is graduating with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Business Administration. Her capstone project, Leyah in Wonderland, reimagined her original characters—Vee Quil, Leyah Sunne, and Yanila Blu—in an alternate Wonderland universe as iconic figures like the Mad Hatter, Alice, and the Queen of Hearts. One of the most exciting elements of the project was producing life-size standees of the characters for her thesis display—a challenging but rewarding process that brought her imaginative world to life.

Vivian says her proudest achievement at CU Denver is her growth as an artist and entrepreneur. “All the assignments and projects were strategic in helping me get to where I am now,” she explains. Her dream of launching her own art business began taking shape during her studies, and today she operates under the name Viviitartt, selling her work at conventions and pop-up markets. Since her first convention in 2024, Vivian has expanded her reach to major events like Fan Expo Denver and San Japan in Texas, with plans for Anime Los Angeles in early 2026. Her merchandise—stickers, prints, enamel pins, acrylic charms, and more—often features designs developed during her coursework, including her popular series of 55 Horse variations inspired by her father’s drawings.

According to the Illustration faculty, Vivian stands out for her dedication and professionalism. Charles Valsechi, Assistant Teaching Professor and Illustration Program Director, says Vivian’s inclination to push her skills further and taking feedback well made her an exceptional student. Plus, Vivian “learned new ways to make products and market them well before she had even graduated.”

After graduation, Vivian plans to dive deeper into her art business, creating new illustrations and merchandise while continuing to expand her presence at conventions across the country. “It’s amazing to make money from the work I care about most and share it with so many people,” she says. While she looks forward to a short break from school, Vivian also envisions a future where she might explore teaching art.

Bachelors of Fine Arts in Visual Arts, Art Practices Emphasis | Bachelors of Arts in Art History

Visual Arts Outstanding Graduate Josephine Clark will graduate from CU Denver’s College of Arts & Media with a BFA in Visual Arts, emphasizing Art Practices and a BA in Art History.

Known for excelling in her classes, Josephine took special care in every project she undertook. She also overhauled the Art Practices student organization, making it accessible to more people interested in the arts and opening it up to anyone studying on the Auraria campus.

Among other endeavors, Josephine co-curated the exhibition “No Puedo Imaginar Mi Vida Sin Ti” in the CU Denver Experience Gallery which explored themes of friendship and community with fellow student Adira Castillo. 

Bachelors of Arts in Art History

Zach Lacy, one of the Visual Arts department's outstanding graduates, earned his BA in Art History.

While at CU Denver, Zach researched depictions of gender in medieval religious artwork and Takashi Murakami’s postmodern “Superflat” movement. His research on both subjects was presented at the Front Range Art History Symposium and the SUNY New Paltz Undergraduate Art History Symposium. 

After graduation and before beginning graduate studies at Boston University, Zach will spend the summer interning with the Provenance Research Department at the Denver Art Museum where he will help identify the ownership history of various artwork and contribute to the curatorial accuracy of displays.

Bachelors of Science in Music, Emphasis in Performance

Hunter Gammel is graduating from CU Denver’s Music & Entertainment Industry Studies program with a BS in Music with a performance emphasis. As one of this spring's “Outstanding Graduates,” Hunter has been recognized for his ability to face every challenge with focus, curiosity, and a steady commitment to growth.

Hunter "is deeply respected across the CU Denver Music Department for his integrity, collaborative spirit, and unwavering work ethic. Hunter doesn’t just engage with the material—he elevates it, setting a high standard for those around him," writes faculty member Carmen Sandim. 

Taking advantage of a community composed of other musicians at CU Denver, Hunter played in multiple bands during his time in school. Working right up before graduation, Hunter's senior recital at the Clocktower Cabaret was sold out. After graduation, Hunter will spend one more summer teaching high school students about music in CU Denver's LYNX National Arts & Media camp. Then he will shift his focus to playing gigs and working on a recording project with fellow CAM alum Finn O'Sullivan.

Master of Science in Recording Arts

Jacob Passini, named one of CU Denver’s Music & Entertainment Industry Studies “Outstanding Graduates,” has earned his MS in Recording Arts. 

Jacob's background is in music performance and education. Jacob dedicated his time at CU Denver to innovating in creative coding and sound design. He approached his studies with a collaborative spirit that led to his academic excellence. Jacob is eager to bring what he has learned back to the classroom.

Master of Science Media Forensics

Susan Kost excelled in her media forensics classes in the National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF).

Susan chose to use her background in video production to conduct impactful research on video frame extraction for her thesis. According to her instructors, Susan’s thesis, tentatively titled “A Quantitative Study of Frame Extraction Methods, Tools, and Their Impact on Extracted Frame Quality from HEVC Videos”, is poised to be impactful research of an important topic that affects law enforcement, research agencies, and many other areas related to multimedia forensics. 

After graduation, Susan will continue the research from her thesis with the hope of presenting it at the American Academy of Forensic Science conference next year.

Bachelor of Fine Art in Film & Television

During his time at CU Denver, Said Cisneros-Toledo excelled in his filmmaking classes. Although the curriculum introduces students to all aspects of the filmmaking process, Said excelled in sound for film and television. He gained a reputation for working hard both in and outside of the classroom and even had opportunities to work on the sets of faculty members' film projects.

"I am continually impressed by Said’s drive to create the highest quality of work both technically and narratively, and to push past the requirements of the classes to learn the craft and skill of sound for film and television," writes Assistant Professor Andrew Bateman. "Said’s attention to detail, thoughtfulness, and get-it-done attitude is going to serve him extremely well during, in what I perceive to be, a long and successful career in film and television," he adds.

After graduating, Said has plans to work on a feature film currently in production and continue building what's likely to be a very successful freelance career.

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Film & Television

Matteen gained a reputation among his peers and the Film & Television faculty for being hard working, punctual, creative, diligent, a strong leader, and a team player.

Matteen’s junior year action short The Insurer won an award for best production at CAM’s annual film awards, Cinefest. For his senior capstone project, Matteen, with the help of his fellow students, created a short film called Make Time, about a young couple who use time travel to extend their precious time together.

After graduation, Matteen plans to continue writing and directing to sharpen his skills as he explores Colorado’s film industry.