RSAA Welcomes Nick Taylor, Karen Ruggles, and Chris Aviles to the Board

The RSAA would like to introduce and welcome Nick Taylor, Karen Ruggles, and Chris Aviles to the Board of Advisors. These additions come as the conclusion of a public search that took place over the last few months.

Nick Taylor is a researcher, associate professor at North Carolina State University, and faculty advisor to the “LoL Esports at NC State” and “League of Legends Collegiate Club” student organizations. His research and advocacy focuses specifically on cultivating more equitable and diverse esports cultures, and on acknowledging the multiple forms of participation that esports allows, whether as players, organizers, audience members, commentators, and so on.

Karen Ruggles is an Associate Professor of Computer Science at DeSales University in Center Valley, PA where she has taught since 2013. Karen’s area of expertise lies in Digital Art and 3D Animation with creative research in virtual production, motion capture, 3D printing, motion graphics, and 3D animation. Since Fall 2018, Karen has also served DeSales University as the varsity esports program director. Karen is a member of the Academy Software Foundation and actively participates to increase diversity and inclusion efforts within the visual effects and animation industry.

Chris Aviles is a STEM teacher at Monmouth Beach middle school in Monmouth Beach, New Jersey where he runs the renowned MB Makes program and Dolphins esports team. He is also the founder of teacher-run Garden State Esports, New Jersey’s non-profit scholastic esports league for schools. He brings over 15 years of experience teaching and coaching across high school and middle school.

With a greater variety of expertise on our board, we are excited for the future. Please join us in welcoming Nick, Karen, and Chris.