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Farhad Javidi

Farhad Javidi currently serves as director of the Simulation, Modeling and Visualization Center at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC), North Carolina’s largest community college and the fourth largest college in the nation. He developed the first state-approved associate degree program in Simulation and Game Development in the nation. He is a recipient of the 2007 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award and was CPCC’s Instructor of the Year in 2006. In 2005, he was named Outstanding Faculty Advisor by the National Academic Advising Association and an Unsung Hero by the Charlotte, NC Chamber of Commerce. Javidi also serves as chair of CPCC’s Senate Technology Committee. He has served as an adjunct faculty member in the computer science department at the University of North Carolina — Charlotte and has taught various courses in the computer science department at the University of South Florida. From 1997 to 2002, he served as director of information technology for Epley Associates Inc., one of the largest communications firms in the southeastern United States. In 1998, he co-founded Digiton Corporation, a North Carolina consulting firm.

1. What are some of the predictions for growth in the game industry over the next five years?
   • Expert game players will become celebrities.
   • Game technologies will increasingly be used to create simulations.
   • The use of more educational and therapeutic games increase.
   • More optimized Massively Multiplayer Online Games will emerge.
   • Developers will pay more attention to female game players.
   • In-game advertising will steadily increase.
   • Politicians (who’ve never played games) will create legislation attacking games.
   • User-created content and opportunities for indie game developers will increase and games will be more diverse.
   • There will be greater emphasis on gameplay and game design and less emphasis on programming.
2. Nationally, how many community colleges offer Simulation and Game Development degree programs and certifications?

   There are a number of game development programs being offered in the private sector, but they are not state approved and are typically very costly. A growing number of universities are now offering courses in game development, often through their computer science departments. These courses are typically offered to satisfy one of two purposes: to obtain research grants or to attract students to programs suffering from low enrollment. There are some notable exceptions, however. For example, the University of Central Florida offers bachelors, masters, and doctorate degrees in game development. Generally speaking, workforce development is not the mission of the university; it is the mission of the community college. Many community colleges have recognized the growing demand for game developers and are doing something about it. The League of Innovation has been a national leader in this effort. We have offered game development tracks at our conferences for several years now, thereby enabling college instructors and administrators to share curricula and expertise and, as a result, offer more courses and certificates in game development. Wake Tech and Stanley Community College have already adopted CPCC’s SGD program. What makes CPCC’s SGD program unique is that it is offered fully online. All of our SGD courses meet Quality Course Review standards for online courses and our program is the model SGD curriculum for the League’s Project SAIL.

3. What factors or drivers initiated the development of the Simulation and Game Development program at Central Piedmont Community College (CPCC)?

   I had a dream. Shortly after I joined CPCC five years ago, I began talking about a Simulation and Game Development degree program. Fortunately, I had a very supportive division director, Dr. Bill Whittaker, who believed in that dream and supported my efforts. I did some research. The need for such a program and the potential impact on the college and the community was apparent, so we set about making it happen. I was fortunate to have the full support of our president, Dr. Tony Zeiss, our executive vice president, Dr. Kathy Drumm, and our vice president for instruction, Janet Chernega. Dr. Rod Townley, dean of our information technology division and director of CPCC’s Futures Institute, made the program a primary focus of the Institute. Our division director, Chad Ray, provided the necessary resources for program development. We invited representatives of other North Carolina community colleges to explore possibilities and collaborate. We established an advisory board, comprised of industry leaders. I developed 29 courses, 13 certificates and the associate of science degree program. The North Carolina Community College system quickly recognized the need for such a program and devoted resources to make it happen. The program was approved by the state of North Carolina on Oct. 24, 2005.

4. What is your long-term vision for the Simulation and Game Development program at CPCC?

   We seek to become the national leader in workforce development in the field of simulation and game development. We strive to provide the best SGD training in the nation through our degree program, certificates, and corporate and continuing education.

5. What technical experience or background education is needed for students to be successful in developing simulations and games?

   Above all, we want students who are excited about simulations and games. We want students who are creative, energetic, self-disciplined and collaborative. Students come to our program with a variety of talents, skills, and experiences; in programming, math, physics, design, art, creative writing. Students use the skills and knowledge they have to decide which area of SGD to focus on while in the program. We have a CCTI-supported program, led by Ron Williams, which enables us to offer SGD courses to high school students as part of the college experience. Through this initiative students gain early exposure to SGD and are able to choose high school courses that are most related to the field.

6. What are the industry and market demands for students successfully completing the Simulation and Game Development program at CPCC?

   I have always believed that the simulation aspect of SGD was the more important aspect. Game technologies will play an increasingly important role in health care, education, forensics, biotechnology, new manufacturing, space technology, military training, architecture, special effects and animation, entertainment, advertising and other industries. We recognize that this goes beyond a degree program. CPCC has created the Center for Simulation, Visualization and Modeling to satisfy the needs of the community while at the same time providing opportunities for our students. We are very fortunate to have several of the largest and most successful game technology providers headquartered in our state. Epic Games, Red Storm Entertainment, Virtual Heroes Inc. and NVIDIA are all based in North Carolina. We also have one of the most active chapters of the International Game Developers Association in the country, the Triangle Chapter.

7. Of the numerous awards and professional recognition you have received, which do you hold most valuable?

   The 2007 National Institute for Staff and Organizational Development Excellence Award.

8. Who were the major influences in your educational achievements?

   My childhood art teacher and mentor, Mehrafarin Hotami. She taught me to see things differently.

9. What was your favorite course in college?

   Philosophy, poetry, and dance. I never took any of them, but they were my favorites.

10. What book are you currently reading, or have you recently finished?

    I’m reading My Name is Red, by Orhan Pamuk. I read it a few years ago in English and am now reading it in Turkish, the language in which it was originally published. It’s a challenge.