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