EXPERIENCE

Wilson Center, Serious Games Initiative - Washington, DC

Staff Assistant Intern | January 2024 - Current

  • Supports the Wilson Center’s games portfolio through educational initiatives, outreach, and continued research.
  • Composes publications that highlight our research and mission statement.
  • Effectively works with the intricacies of policy issue areas and analysis.

iDTech - Remote

Instructor | April 2023 - August 2023

  • Conducted engaging and interactive online sessions in game design, Unity development, and Python.
  • Fostered an inclusive learning environment through tailoring instruction to individual student’s goals.
  • Worked reliably and professionally in a remote work setting.

National Children's Museum - Washington, DC

Exhibits Intern | June 2023 - August 2023

  • Leveraged creative design skills to craft innovative projects using manufacturing tools like Glowforge.
  • Demonstrated a strong aptitude for exhibit maintenance.
  • Spearheaded the conceptualization and implementation of interactive experiences, notably "Meditative Mosaics."

Museum Experience Associate | August 2022 - May 2023

  • Maintained exhibits, preserving the museum's engaging atmosphere.
  • Enhanced interpersonal and communication skills, emphasizing learning through play during interactions.
  • Skillfully led various workshops, emphasizing age-appropriate communication for memorable interactions.

Kite + Key, the Rutgers Technology Store - Piscataway, NJ

Student Manager | June 2021 - August 2022

  • Served and worked alongside a diverse population of customers and staff
  • Received and sorted merchandise alongside organization and upkeep of stock
  • Increased customer satisfaction
  • Nominated by management to progress through the Apple Excellence program

Student Support Specialist | January 2021 - May 2021

  • Adhered closely to store guidelines and procedures
  • Provided guidance to customers on best products for their needs

Rutgers School of Communication & Information IT Help Desk - New Brunswick, NJ

Student Help Desk Support | April 2021 - October 2021

  • Analyzed and fixed technological issues for faculty and staff.
  • Managed ~6 support requests daily.
  • Completed tasks including refilling printers, installing software on users’ devices, and configuring Wi-Fi.

New Jersey Division on Women - Trenton, NJ

PLEN Intern | June 2019 - July 2019

  • Analyzed policy surrounding criminal justice reform for incarcerated women to turn into legislative efforts.
  • Researched batterer intervention programs in New Jersey to determine the allocation of funding.
  • Developed a pledge to create protective environments for LGBT+ citizens.

Mercer County Community College - West Windsor, NJ

DREAM Mentor | October 2018 - May 2019

  • Showcased a passion for educating through providing support to students with intellectual disabilities.
  • Tutored and recorded notes for seven students in higher education courses over one school year.
  • Coordinated with supervisors in a timely and productive manner.

EDUCATION

American University - Washington, DC | May 2026

MFA in Games and Interactive Media

Coursework: Playful Cities • Game Development I • Game Development II • Writing for Interactivity • Making Meaningful Games • Game Research Methods • Game Prototyping • Games, History, and Society • Digital Art Tools & Techniques

George Mason University - Tokyo, Japan | May 2024

Study Abroad: Game Studio Tour

Coursework: Japanese Game Industry • Japanese Culture

Rutgers University - New Brunswick, NJ | August 2022

BA in Information Technology and Informatics; Minor in Social Justice

Coursework: Game Design Methodology • Digital Game Creation • Social Impacts of Video Games • Web Development • Human Computer Interaction • Object Oriented Programming • Management of Technological Organizations

PRESENTATIONS

“Games are for Everybody,” Maker Talk Series. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, Washington, DC. July 2024

PUBLICATIONS

Marcinek, K. E. (2024, July). Games Round Up: Global Trade. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars.

Chen, J., & Marcinek, K. E. (2024, June). Empowering Participation in Science: A Citizen Science Landscape. The Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. https://www.wilsoncenter.org/publication/empowering-participation-science-citizen-science-landscape

EXTRACURRICULARS

Rutgers Women's Gaming League - New Brunswick, NJ

Vice President | February 2020 - May 2022

  • Co-founded organization to address the need for women-centered leadership in Rutgers Esports.
  • Designed a communication server with 200+ active members.
  • Organized a group trip of 20+ students to visit Liberty Science Center for their Minecraft exhibit.

Reproductive Health Universal Taskforce - New Brunswick, NJ

President | April 2018 - May 2022

  • Conducted meetings surrounding sexual and reproductive health and rights in line with UNFPA’s mission.
  • Delivered a speech for the launch of UNFPA’s university network, TransformU, at Fordham.
  • Raised over $150 for organizations like the United Nations Population Fund and Marsha P. Johnson Institute.

VOLUNTEERING

IGDA DC Indie QA Crew • June 2024 - Current

  • Playtests games for indie developers to give quality feedback and adequately report bugs.

METFest 2024 • June 2024

  • Represented the AU Game Center and School of Communication, boosting engagement and visibility.

"Our Chance to Play" A Conversation on Race and Gaming • April 2024

  • Provided technical support for hybrid functions while engaging with participants and guests.

The Audition, Production Office Assistant • April 2024

  • Assisted on the production of the short film “The Audition” by providing support and guidance to child actors.

ED Games Expo • September 2023

  • Marketed and promoted The Playful City Lab and AU Game Center, boosting engagement and visibility.