Meet the Faculty
The Azusa Pacific University Cinematic Arts faculty combine theoretical expertise with real-world experience. They collectively represent decades spent in the entertainment industry in every aspect of performance and production. Their dedication is brought into the classroom with the goal of empowering Azusa Pacific students to integrate talent and passion with a Christian worldview as they pursue excellence in the theatrical and cinematic arts.
In addition to the full-time faculty listed below, the Department of Cinematic Arts enlists a host of adjunct faculty who take time from their careers to teach classes at Azusa Pacific University. These working professionals bring top-notch instruction as well as first-hand knowledge of the entertainment industry as it stands today.
Department Chair
Zachary Cheney, PhD
Interim Associate Dean of Graduate Studies, College of the Arts; Chair and Assistant Professor of Screen Studies, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-3839
- Email: zcheney@apu.edu
- Office Location: Darling Hallway Art Gallery, Darling 169, West Campus
Program Directors
Chuck Grieb, MFA
Director, BA in Animation and Visual Effects, and Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-3856
- Email: cgrieb@apu.edu
- Office Location: Hugh and Hazel Darling Library, Room 167
Tim Samoff, MFA
Program Director, BA in Games and Interactive Media, and Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-6007
- Email: tsamoff@apu.edu
Assistant Professors
Laurie Leinonen, MA
Assistant Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 387-5875
- Email: lleinonen@apu.edu
Greg Michael, MFA
Assistant Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-6014
- Email: gmichael@apu.edu
Jesse Negron, MFA
Assistant Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5114
- Email: jnegron@apu.edu
Jonathan Vermeer, MPW
Assistant Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (310) 951-3921
- Email: jvermeer@apu.edu
Adjunct Professors
Andrew Cole, MFA
Adjunct Professor, Department of Art and Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-2064
- Email: acole@apu.edu
- Office Location: Art Center
Ryan Izay
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5297
- Email: rizay@apu.edu
James W. Lincoln, MA
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (818) 599-0467
- Email: jwlincoln@apu.edu
Chris Masi
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 390-6317
- Email: cmasi@apu.edu
Cheryl McKay Price, MA
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (626) 815-6000, Ext. 5297
- Email: cprice@apu.edu
Leigh Rens
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Phone: (310) 497-7187
- Email: leighrens@gmail.com
- Office Location: East Campus
James Schlenker
Adjunct Professor, Department of Cinematic Arts
- Email: jschlenker@apu.edu
Note: This information is current for the 2023-24 academic year; however, all stated academic information is subject to change. Please refer to the current Academic Catalog for more information.