UM Game Design Student Finds Winning Strategies
UM Game Design Student Finds Winning Strategies
UM Game Design Student Finds Winning Strategies
Cary Shimek
December, 01, 2025
Summary
Brittany Westlund, a third-year graduate student in the University of Montana’s online MFA in Game Design and Interactive Media, is emerging as an innovative game designer, educator, and community builder. Living in Kalispell, she balances coursework, teaching online classes, launching Charmlab Studio, and creating emotionally driven games. Her work has earned recognition at UM’s Media Arts Expo, Game Poems magazine, and the Games for Higher Education encyclopedia. Westlund focuses on nonviolent, compassionate game design that emphasizes care, reflection, and storytelling. Her journey highlights the creative potential of online education, mentorship, and collaborative learning.
Reference
Shimek, C. (2025, December 1). UM game design student finds winning strategies. University of Montana. https://www.umt.edu/news/2025/12/120125game.php