Michael C. Fay Jr.

Professional Summary - User Safety & Ethical Systems Architect

“Leveraging 10+ years of behavioral psychology, infrastructure design, and community governance to build safe, high-performance digital ecosystems.”

Professional Experience

Champlain College | Burlington, VT Area Coordinator | 2022–Present

  • Community Risk Management: Manages a residential area of approximately 400 students, overseeing six residential halls and a staff of 15 Resident Advisors.

  • Inclusive Infrastructure: Founded and oversaw the HRL Discord Community, collaborating with RAs to enhance resident engagement.

  • Crisis Intervention: Oversees all residence hall activities, conduct, and student wellness, fostering inclusive environments through direct case management.

Program Director – Game Development & Design | 2024–2025

  • Systems Governance: Provides executive leadership for multiple academic programs, ensuring "topical currency" and alignment with ethical and technical industry standards.

  • Operational Leadership: Oversees faculty recruitment, training, and performance management to ensure scalable, high-quality delivery of complex curricula.

  • Strategic Alignment: Monitors global industry shifts to proactively adapt program goals and curricula toward emergent challenges in digital wellbeing and user safety.

  • Cross-Functional Strategy: Partners with Admissions and Marketing to drive recruitment, utilizing deep industry expertise to advise students on the future of the digital workplace.

Varsity Rocket League Coach | 2022–Present

  • Performance Psychology: Responsible for developing student-athletes' sport-specific skills, physical wellness, mental preparation, and character.

  • Academic Stewardship: Serves as a mentor and tutor to ensure academic success and implement successful retention strategies.

Post University & Rowan University | Remote Associate & Adjunct Faculty in Gaming & Esports | 2022–2024

  • Curriculum Architecture: Developed and taught courses on the history of gaming and esports management, focusing on global market trends and competitive play.

  • Instructional Design: Integrated industry-specific knowledge with management principles to create robust educational frameworks and assessments.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey | New Brunswick, NJ Esports Center Manager | 2019–2021

  • Program Ecosystem Growth: Managed the development, planning, and implementation of programs and services for the established esports center.

  • Strategic Partnerships: Developed collaborations with University departments to identify academic research opportunities in computer science, education, and social sciences.

The University of Akron | Akron, OH Director of Esports & Head Coach | 2017–2019

  • Infrastructure Lead: Conceptualized and designed three state-of-the-art gaming facilities totaling over 5,200 sq. ft.

  • Governance & Policy: Authored program handbooks, developed curricula, and managed a team of 25 staff and student assistants.

  • Strategic Growth: Coached 53 students across 7 varsity teams to conference and national championship wins while managing brand relations and fundraising.

Softlocke | Remote Production Director | 2016–2017

  • Digital Community Governance: Administered a Discord server of 12,000+ members, enforcing rules and mediating user issues.

  • Broadcast Operations: Managed schedules and workshops for a team of casters and producers for competitive Overwatch tournaments.

CORE COMPETENCIES & TECHNICAL TOOLKIT

  • Trust & Safety: Safety by Design, Content Policy, Risk Mitigation, Community Governance.

  • Behavioral Science: Performance Psychology, Mental Health Advocacy, User Behavior Analysis.

  • Leadership: Strategic Planning, Budget Proposals, Cross-functional Management, Accreditation Compliance.

EDUCATION

Champlain College, Burlington, VT
Masters of Fine Arts, Emergent Media
May 2017

 

 

Saint Michael's College, Colchester, VT
Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
May 2013

Master’s Thesis: “Authenticating: Genuine Expression in the Management of Video Game Communities”

SELECTED PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS

  • Behavioral Research: "The relationship of physical activity and mental toughness in collegiate esports varsity student-athletes." (2020)

  • Clinical Research: "Reinforcer devaluation as a consequence of acute nicotine exposure and withdrawal." Psychopharmacology (2015).

  • Conference Presentation: "Esports: The Impact on Community Development in K-12 and Higher Education." NJ Edge (2020).

  • Conference Presentation: "Getting to know eSports." Ohio Department of Higher Education (2019).

HONORS & ADDITIONAL LEADERSHIP

  • Award: Saint Michael’s Award for Leadership (2013).

  • Service: Dare to CARE Committee Member, Champlain College (2022–2023).

  • Legacy: President of Saint Michael’s College Student Association (2012–2013).