Founders

David Joel Thomas is an Assistant Professor and Program Director of Creative Arts at Bellevue University. He holds a Master of Fine Arts from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and a Master of Arts in Philosophy from DePaul University. His dual training reflects his commitment to bridging the gap between critical research and creative synthesis. He organizes his multidisciplinary practice around anecdotal ecosystems that underpin indigeneity, transnational migration, and diaspora. Through the lens of his Near Eastern heritage as an Assyrian American and international upbringing in Pakistan, Turkey, and Afghanistan, his work explores that precise moment when it becomes possible to transform chaotic conditions into creative process. Reflecting seemingly divergent pathways are three interrelated critical-creative projects: The Perfect Hours, a series of short, free-spirited liturgical fictions; Back Wars, an improvisatory design exploration of Ancient Mesopotamian architectural typologies; and Heirloom Artifacts a visual/literary meditation on diasporic storytelling and place-making.

JoDee Goracke has been the program director of the master's program in Industrial/Organizational Psychology since 2016 at Bellevue University, fostering a collaborative environment focused on sustainable, applied, and inclusive education. She also recently developed an interdisciplinary graduate certificate program in Creativity that centers around social entrepreneurship, a testament to the collective efforts of the dynamic faculty at the university and collaborations with outside organizations such as Design for America.

Beyond academia, JoDee is the co-creator and project lead of the Tanzania Design Project, which was launched in 2016. This design program, emphasizing social entrepreneurship, reflects a commitment to international collaboration and positive global impact through grassroots efforts. Through this initiative, JoDee has demonstrated a dedication to leveraging sustainable education for positive change on an international scale. The ongoing success of the Tanzania Design Project reflects collaborative efforts that transcend borders, illustrating the belief that meaningful change is a collective endeavor.

Dr. John Kyndt is a Professor of Microbiology and Sustainability, at the College of Science and Technology, and the Program Director for Sustainability Management at Bellevue University. His scientific specialization includes microbiology of extremophiles, photobiochemistry and algal-based renewable fuel research. He holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Ghent in Belgium; as well as an Associate Certificate in Entrepreneurship from the University of Arizona. Dr. Kyndt has published over 60 peer reviewed science papers and has a broad interest in exploratory science projects in the areas of microbiology, biochemistry and genomics. His recent research focuses on the genomics and biochemistry of microorganisms from extreme environments to better understand life’s adaptations to extreme conditions.