The Guildhall at SMU Introduces New Level, Engine Design Instructors

The Guildhall at Southern Methodist University announced the arrival of Michael Mancuso and Jani Kajala, two new full-time instructors in its graduate-level video game development program. Mancuso developed more than 20 shipped titles during his career as a game designer and producer, and has worked with a number of popular franchises, including Lord of the Rings, Command and Conquer, and Star Trek. Mancuso will head a course on level design beginning in August of this year. After co-founding a game company at 18 years old, Finland-born Kajala went on to help create several games for console and mobile platforms. He will instruct students in game engine design at SMU this fall. "We are extremely pleased to have Jani and Mick join our team," said Dr. Peter Raad, founder and executive director of The Guildhall at SMU. "They both possess the expertise and unique backgrounds that complement our over-arching mission, which is to offer students not only a curriculum that is industry-driven, but also a rich, relevant experience that better prepares them for excellence in the real world."