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Faculty & Advisors

Project Director:
Leslie Walker is visiting professor in digital innovation at the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, where she teaches multimedia journalism. Previously, she worked as an editor, reporter and columnist at The Washington Post and Baltimore Evening Sun. She also served as vice president for news and editor of washingtonpost.com at WashingtonPost.Newsweek Interactive, the digital media subsidiary of the Washington Post Co.
 
Managing Editor:
Chris Harvey has worked as an online editor, magazine editor, newspaper reporter and journalism teacher. She left her job as managing editor at American Journalism Review in August 2000 to help build the multimedia curriculum at the college. She created and now edits the college's online newsmagazine, Maryland Newsline, which is staffed by students. Previously, Harvey worked as an associate Metro editor at washingtonpost.com, and a congressional and statehouse reporter for The Washington Times.
 
Developer and Art Director:
Matt Sheehan led Web strategy and development for the Philip Merrill College of Journalism. He is chief operating officer for MadMarinerLLC, a new media company focused on boating news. He previously worked as assistant news editor at The Washington Post and has been an adjunct professor in visual journalism at the college. An alum of the college, he served as editor in chief and vice president of the daily student newspaper, The Diamondback, and Maryland Media Inc. He holds an M.B.A. from the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
 
Video Editor:
David Burns is an assistant professor of communication arts at Salisbury University, specializing in electronic journalism. He previously was a visiting associate professor at Merrill, where he co-directed the Capital News Service Television bureau and the Maryland Newsline news program. Burns has worked for CNN and NBC News, in both permanent and freelance capacities, as a videotape editor and field camera operator in the United States and abroad.
 
Editorial Consultant:
Timothy B. Wheeler reports on the environment and Chesapeake Bay for The Baltimore Sun. A native of West Virginia, he has focused mainly on Maryland's environment since moving to the state in 1983. He is a past board member of the Society of Environmental Journalists and previously worked as a reporter at the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot.
 
Interactive Design Consultant:
Kristen Novak is a Web design developer who previously worked at USA TODAY. She specializes in designing and developing online graphics and data-driven applications. 
 
Additional Coaching: 
Sandy Banisky, Abell Professor in Baltimore journalism at the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.
Sue Kopen-Katcef, lecturer and director of the college's Capital News Service Television bureau.
John Davidson, adjunction instructor in photojournalism at the college.
Merrilee Cox, adjunct instructor and Ph.D. student at the college.