Gain Storytelling Skills for the Digital Age
In the Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies (CENT), Point Park University students will receive training in cutting-edge technologies and art to design immersive user experiences.
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.
Director Don Marinelli said, "CENT 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."
Classes Offered by CENT
CENT offers classes at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The undergraduate course (CENT 101) is offered in the School of Communication, and the graduate course is offered in the School of Continuing and Professional Studies (PROF 530).
These courses introduce students to cutting-edge technologies and techniques for creating immersive narratives across AI, gaming, augmented reality (AR), and virtual reality (VR). The curriculum blends foundational storytelling principles with innovative tools to empower students to design compelling, interactive experiences. The interplay between course concepts and overarching skills — information literacy, communication, problem-solving, and creativity/aesthetics — positions students for success in modern, tech-driven industries.
Read about the Fall 2024 CENT 101 undergraduate class's project on our News page.
Esports Program Facilitator Certificate Program
In addition to undergraduate-level courses, CENT also offers an esports program facilitator certificate program, designed for educators who want to start or improve an esports program at their K-12 school or higher education institution. Learn more here.
The future of CENT
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 such as:
Immersive Media Development
- Virtual reality (VR) developer
- Augmented Reality (AR) developer
- 360° video production
Interactive Storytelling
- Interactive narrative designer
- Transmedia storyteller
- Experience designer
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science
- AI/machine-learning engineer
- Data visualization specialist
- Computational narrative analyst
Digital Media and Live Entertainment
- Live experience design and production
- Digital media producer
- Game designer
- Immersive experience creator
Center for Experiential Narrative Technologies Staff
Dr. Donald Marinelli, director
CENT was conceived of by Dr. Donald Marinelli, who comes to Point Park with decades of experience in both theater and the intersection of entertainment and technology. Marinelli spent 31 years at Carnegie Mellon University, where he served as associate head of drama from 1981 to 1995 and co-founded the world-renowned Carnegie Mellon Entertainment Technology Center (ETC). He continues to teach at multiple universities and is excited to bring this knowledge and experience to Point Park.
"CENT revels in Pittsburgh's claim to being the City of Bridges," Marinelli said. "CENT will be another one of those bridges, connecting analog and digital technologies in ways never before imagined."
Chris Gaul, assistant director
Chris Gaul has served as the director and head coach of Point Park's esports team for four years. Before this, he was the director and head coach of esports at Northern Virginia Community College, developing an esports program for the second-largest community college in the nation. Gaul is a graduate of Allegheny College with a degree in economics and a minor in physics. Gaul has been involved in collegiate esports for a decade. Additionally, he has used his knowledge and background to build a curriculum and has served as an adjunct professor at Point Park, teaching esports management. In 2025, the Point Park Rocket League Gold team won the NACE divisional championship.