Email: xrlab@bellevuecollege.edu
Location: D126 in the library
Staff and Faculty
Bruce Wolcott
XR Faculty Lead/ Instructional Designer/ Technologist
- Email: bwolcott@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D126O
Biography:
Bruce leads the XR Lab at Bellevue College, where he supports students and faculty in exploring virtual and augmented reality technologies. He teaches digital media, information design, visual storytelling, and virtual reality, offering courses such as History of Animation, Writing for the Web, Visual Storytelling, and Virtual Reality: Design and Communication.
Bruce earned his BA in Media and Communications from The Evergreen State College and has professional experience in media production. Earlier in his career, he worked as a Media Production Coordinator at the Pacific Science Center in Seattle and as a Visual Effects Designer and Producer for various Seattle-area production companies.
Bruce believes XR can transform education by creating immersive and collaborative learning experiences. He is passionate about using technology to enhance teaching and make learning more engaging.
In 2017, Bruce received the Margin of Excellence Award for teaching. His current interests focus on exploring virtual environments as collaborative spaces for teaching and learning.
Drew Stone
XR Lab Coordinator
- Email: drew.stone@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D276A
Biography:
Drew leads the XR Studio space at Bellevue College, supporting the XR Development & Client Collaboration (DMA 294/295) courses. He also administers the National Science Foundation grant #2329587, The Pacific Northwest Open Extended Reality Initiative, which funds the XR Lab Coordinator role.
Born and raised in the Pacific Northwest, Drew holds a Master of Communication in Communities and Networks from the University of Washington. He brings years of experience in active and collaborative gaming, filmmaking, visual and performance arts, instructional design, and professional VR event production. He has worked as a VR consultant with Microsoft and Locuisum, helping shape immersive experiences. Drew is passionate about expanding the reach of the XR Lab and making it a recognized leader in XR innovation. His goal is to “put the Bellevue College XR Lab on the map!”
Ron Austin
Digital Learning Manager
- Email: ron.austin@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126
Biography:
Ron is a manager with Interactive eLearning and the XR Lab at Bellevue College. He leads the NWXR EDU Network, a project supported by the National Science Foundation (2023–2026), and works to integrate emerging technologies into education. His role includes facilitating faculty training workshops, developing online courses, and supporting Canvas LMS administration. At the XR Lab, he helps faculty use XR tools and explores AI, gamification, and media technologies for teaching and learning.
With a background in eLearning and interactive media, Ron has worked with Bellevue College’s Health Science Education and Wellness Division as an eLearning Specialist. He has over 20 years of experience as an adjunct instructor, teaching web development, animation, and film. From 1999 to 2014, he contracted with advertising and technology agencies in the Seattle area, creating interactive media, websites, and videos.
Ron has been programming and making films since middle school, and he enjoys combining creativity with technology to develop engaging educational materials.
Outside of work, he enjoys sketching, photography, and creating short documentary films, with several of his projects featured at local and international film festivals. He also likes running, hiking, and eating popcorn. He is especially proud of his son, who works in construction and enjoys skateboarding and snowboarding.
Larry Boykin
Multimedia Technician Senior
- Email: lboykin@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: D150A
Biography:
Larry supports the XR Lab by setting up videoconferences, managing audio-visual equipment for Digital Media Art classes, and overseeing the quarterly laptop checkout for the IBEST and Project IDEA programs. He also helps manage XR headsets and laptops for students and staff.
As part of the eLearning team, Larry believes XR represents the future of education, offering students and faculty new ways to learn and engage with technology. He is excited to contribute to creating immersive learning experiences at Bellevue College.
David Wikstrom
XR Senior Lab Assistant / VR Application Developer
- Email: david.wikstrom@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
David is an ex-Air Force Electrical and Environmental Systems Specialist who earned his Bachelor’s in Application Development at Bellevue College. He is now a Lead Developer with MXTReality and continues to work part time with the XR Lab.
“I’ve always been interested in Virtual Reality, but the thing that really sold me on pursuing a career in VR application development is VRET (Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy) and its effectiveness in treating PTSD. I believe XR technologies are important technologies that will change the landscape of education and healthcare in the future.”
Student Employees
Berke Can
XR Lab Student Assistant
- Email: berke.can@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
Berke maintains VR headsets and other devices at the Bellevue College XR Lab, runs the XR Club, assists with workshops, and contributes creatively to XR-related projects. He enjoys exploring how XR can enhance learning and engagement.
Originally from Turkey, Berke is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science at Bellevue College. He has a strong interest in XR technologies, particularly in physics-based programming and tech innovations.
Berke believes XR has the potential to transform the way people interact with technology, from immersive gaming to real-world applications in education and beyond.
His favorite VR experience is Half-Life: Alyx, a game he finds both extremely fun and technologically impressive.
Outside of XR, Berke is a passionate film lover with a goal of making a feature film one day.
Jon Thaler
XR Lab Student Assistant
- Email: j.thaler@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
Jon is a student at Bellevue College working at the XR Lab while pursuing a transferable degree with plans to earn a Bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education. They believe XR technologies—including virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence—will play an increasingly important role in education.
In addition to supporting the Lab, Jon sets up the podcast studio and is a regular co-host of the XR Lab Podcast, helping to share insights and stories about immersive technologies.
Jewel Tadena
XR Lab Content Creator
- Email: jewel.tadena@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
Jewel creates content to help more people learn about the XR Lab and what it offers. She manages social media, promotes events, and shares engaging content to showcase how XR can make learning more interactive and accessible.
Originally from the Philippines, Jewel is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management and Technology at Bellevue College. She has experience in project management and content creation and enjoys using technology to improve learning and bring people together.
Jewel believes XR has a big impact on people’s lives by advancing science, helping people connect, providing access to new experiences, and even supporting mental health.
Her favorite VR game is Moss, an adventure that combines storytelling with puzzle-solving.
In her free time, she enjoys taking photos, caring for her houseplants, spending time with her corgi, and discovering new places to eat around Seattle.
Anna Sullivan
XR Lab Business Process Assistant
- Email: anna.sullivan@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
Anna helps develop and implement processes to streamline operations in the XR Lab. She also contributes to strategy documents that support the Lab’s long-term success, including developing tools for Open Educational Resources.
Currently, Anna is a full-time student earning her Bachelor’s degree in Data Management and Analysis at Bellevue College. She has a strong interest in data organization and visualization and enjoys finding new ways to apply her skills beyond the classroom.
While relatively new to XR, Anna sees it as a powerful tool for strengthening communities and creating lasting learning experiences. She is excited to help build a welcoming environment for students and faculty exploring immersive technologies.
Her favorite VR game is Tilt Brush, a 3D painting experience that offers creative freedom with unique brushes and backgrounds.
Outside of the Lab, Anna enjoys hiking, trail running, and camping. She also likes reading and is learning to play the guitar.
Interactive eLearning and Division Partners
María Sánchez
XR Specialist
- Email: maria.sanchezi@bellevuecollege.edu
- Office Location: Room D126M
Biography:
María teaches XR Development & Client Collaboration (DMA 295) at Bellevue College and helps students and faculty explore and build immersive experiences in the XR Lab. She specializes in various XR tools and technologies and creates Open Educational Resources to make XR more accessible.
Originally from Colombia, María first studied video production before transitioning to Interaction Design, where she discovered her passion for XR. She joined the XR Lab in 2022 and is excited to be back to share her knowledge and support students.
María loves how XR transforms spectators into active participants, adding a new level of immersion and making messages more impactful.
Outside of work, she enjoys staying active by playing ultimate frisbee, hiking in the mountains, and experiencing live music.
James Riggall
Visiting Scholar
- Email:
- Office Location: D126M
Biography:
James supports the XR Lab and various special projects that the Lab has underway. He teaches Virtual Reality Design and Communications (CMST 116) alongside Bruce Wolcott and is typically on campus at Bellevue College during Winter Quarter. The rest of the year, he is based in Tasmania, Australia.
In addition to his role at Bellevue College, James teaches entrepreneurship at the University of Tasmania, runs a small technology education company called Bitlink, and is a principal artist with the technology art collective Soma Lumia. He also serves on several boards, including the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Regional Development Australia (Tasmania), and Enterprize Tasmania.
What excites James most about XR is its potential to transform education, giving people access to new experiences and helping them develop skills in ways never before possible. He believes we have only begun to explore what XR can do to accelerate and deepen learning.
His favorite VR application was Mindshow, a now-discontinued tool that allowed users to create high-quality animated videos by acting out voices and movements within VR. He loved how it empowered anyone to create animated films with just their voice and body, saying, “It was also wildly good fun! Hopefully, someone makes something like it again one day.”
You can learn more about James and see photos of his work here: www.jamesriggall.com
Industry Partners
The XR Lab is grateful to collaborate with MXTreality, Tosolini Productions, and other innovative technology companies in the Northwest.
Last Updated April 14, 2025