Operations
These are the amazing faculty and staff members behind MEA’s educational operations. They are dedicated professionals who work tirelessly to enhance the learning opportunities for their students day in, and day out. They include passionate instructors, innovative curriculum developers, and tireless administrators and facility staff members who strive to create an inclusive, engaging, and creative learning environments. Their commitment to education empowers future generations of filmmakers, journalists, and animators – and fosters a brighter and more knowledgeable society.
Dave Brill
Department Chair
Professor of Journalism
Dave began his career in teaching right here at COC. After several years as a sports anchor/reporter in Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, he joined us in 1998 as an instructor. He later took a job as a Sports Producer at KABC-
TV (a few months after joining COC) where he remains today, as well.
In 2009, he developed curriculum for a New Media Journalism track that
required students to not only produce content for traditional media outlets but for
the web and social media as well. Dave, with the help of then student and now full-time Lab
Technician Austin Dave, led the creation of canyonsnews.com which is now COC’s 24/7 student run media outlet.
david.brill@canyons.edu
Austin Dave
Instructional Laboratory Technician
Austin Dave is the Instructional Laboratory Technician in the MEA Department. He is in charge of coordinating all facility usage, keeping equipment up to date, and so much more. However, he enjoys giving back to and mentoring the future filmmakers and journalists that come through the MEA Department most of all, as he once was a student in the department as well.
Austin is also an award-winning freelance journalist during his time outside of COC; covering catastrophic events, feature stories and public safety in Santa Clarita, California for the major Los Angeles market television stations.
Dr. Jennifer Smolos Steele
Dean, School of Visual and Performing Arts
On behalf of the Faculty and Staff Artists from College of the Canyons, I welcome you to the School of Visual and Performing Arts.
College of the Canyons is a wonderful place to begin, continue or enhance your artistic journey. While here, your work will be guided by industry professionals and scholarly artists who will encourage you to grow, explore and achieve your educational goals. In our state of the art facilities you will have immediate access to current technologies designed to increase your learning potential, acquire marketable skills and foster intellectual inquiry into all areas of the arts.
Cade Costic
Assistant to Lab Technician Journalism
Cade is an alumni of the MEA Department, who received his AA in Broadcast Journalism from COC in 2022 and has since been hired in the department. He specializes and assists in the Journalism and Filmmaking area courses.
He is currently attending ASU to receive his BA in Mass Communication and Media Studies, with a minor in Digital Audiences, from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism.
cade.costic@canyons.edu
Lauren Hannah
Assistant to Lab Technician Filmmaking
Lauren is an alumni of the MEA Department. She is currently attending CSUN to receive her BA in Broadcast Journalism.
She specializes in and assists in the Journalism and Filmmaking courses.
Zac Imperial
Assistant to Lab Technician Sound Arts
The Filmmaking Program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the core skills and knowledge required for employment in the filmmaking industry.
zac.imperial@canyons.edu
Cory Rubin
Assistant to Lab Technician Engineering
Cory is an alumni of the MEA Department. When he is not working on campus, he is traveling across the country working on national NASCAR broadcasts for Fox and NBC.
Cory is also an award-winning photographer and camera op who enjoys filming and photographing local sports in his free time.
Animation
Our animation instructors possess a deep understanding of both the technical and creative aspects of animation, guiding their students with expertise and passion. They inspire creativity, foster a supportive learning environment, and provide constructive feedback, empowering their students to explore their artistic potential and excel in the ever-evolving field of animation. Their dedication and mentorship play a pivotal role in shaping the future generation of skilled animators.
Jeff Baker
Program Coordinator
Professor of Animation
jeffrey.baker@canyons.edu
Masha Vasilkovsky
Professor of Animation
masha.vasilkovsky@canyons.edu
Miles Horst
Professor of Animation
miles.horst@canyons.edu
Filmmaking
Our film professors possess a deep passion for cinema and an extensive knowledge of film history, theory, and technique. They inspire and engage their students by fostering a creative environment, encouraging critical thinking, and providing valuable insights into the art and industry of filmmaking. Through their expertise and mentorship, they empower aspiring filmmakers to hone their skills, explore diverse perspectives, and contribute meaningfully to the world of cinema.
Bavand Karim
Professor of Filmmaking Program Coordinator
Bavand Karim is an Emmy award-winning creative executive and showrunner whose career spans print journalism, scripted and unscripted TV, narrative and documentary films, and branded content. He is the founder and chairperson of CINE, an international media consultancy specializing in the financing, development and production of films and TV programs through a diverse think tank of executives, creative, and educators.
bavand.karim@canyons.edu
Jennifer Overdevest
Professor of Filmmaking
Program Coordinator
The Filmmaking Program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the core skills and knowledge required for employment in the filmmaking industry.
jennifer.overdevest@canyons.edu
Sara Caldwell
Professor of Filmmaking
Sara Caldwell has taught at College of the Canyons since 2004 and also teaches filmmaking courses at UC Santa Barbara.
She is an award-winning filmmaker, stop-motion animator and screenwriter, and a member of the Writers Guild of America.
She has written a number of industry related books and frequently gives workshops and lectures, often on the horror genre of which she is a huge fan.
sara.caldwell@canyons.edu
Jean Miller
Professor of Filmmaking
A multi-award winning TV and film actor, Emmy winning television host, producer, writer and voiceover artist, and accomplished theater actor, Jean Miller, loves to lend her expertise and lifetime of experience to students as an Adjunct in the Media Entertainment Arts Department of College of the Canyons.
In her eighteen years at COC, she has taught broadcast writing and performance skills, media and culture foundations, professional portfolio practices, and media and film aesthetics, while remaining active in the professional entertainment industry as a working member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.
“I treasure the opportunity of teaching aspiring student artists and helping them grow in the media arts at COC. They inspire me each and every semester. My aim is to help them achieve their own artistic goals.”
jean.miller@canyons.edu
Ron Mita
Professor of Filmmaking
The Filmmaking Program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the core skills and knowledge required for employment in the filmmaking industry.
ron.mita@canyons.edu
Robert Reber
Professor of Filmmaking
The Filmmaking Program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the core skills and knowledge required for employment in the filmmaking industry.
robert.reber@canyons.edu
Journalism
Our journalism instructors inspire and empower their students with deep industry knowledge, practical skills, and ethical principles. They foster critical thinking, curiosity, and a passion for storytelling, cultivating the next generation of skilled and responsible journalists. Through mentorship, hands-on experience, and insightful guidance, these professors shape aspiring reporters into informed, ethical, and impactful media professionals.
Dave Brill
Department Chair
Professor of Journalism
Dave began his career in teaching right here at COC. After several years as a sports anchor/reporter in Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, he joined us in 1998 as an instructor. He later took a job as a Sports Producer at KABC-
TV (a few months after joining COC) where he remains today, as well.
In 2009, he developed curriculum for a New Media Journalism track that
required students to not only produce content for traditional media outlets but for
the web and social media as well. Dave, with the help of then student and now full-time Lab
Technician Austin Dave, led the creation of canyonsnews.com which is now COC’s 24/7 student run media outlet.
david.brill@canyons.edu
Bavand Karim
Professor of Journalism
Bavand Karim is an Emmy award-winning creative executive and showrunner whose career spans print journalism, scripted and unscripted TV, narrative and documentary films, and branded content. He is the founder and chairperson of CINE, an international media consultancy specializing in the financing, development and production of films and TV programs through a diverse think tank of executives, creative, and educators.
bavand.karim@canyons.edu
Haley Sawyer
Professor of Journalism
The Filmmaking Program will prepare students to demonstrate proficiency in the core skills and knowledge required for employment in the filmmaking industry.
haley.sawyer@canyons.edu