Dr. João Beira, an internationally recognized visual artist, art director, and researcher, will join Athens State University on August 18, 2025, as a faculty member at the Alabama Center for the Arts. With a Ph.D. in Digital Media from the University of Texas at Austin and a Master’s in Multimedia Arts from the University of Porto, Dr. Beira brings extensive academic and creative experience in immersive media, generative software, and projection design. As founder of Datagrama Visuals, he has led groundbreaking projects showcased at SXSW, Burning Man, and Boom Festival. His appointment significantly enhances faculty support for the BFA in Multimedia and MFA in Media and Digital Arts, enabling expanded course offerings in emerging digital fields, reducing reliance on adjunct faculty, and strengthening student advising and mentorship. Dr. Beira’s presence is expected to drive program growth, increase enrollment, and fulfill strategic goals by deepening curricular innovation, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and raising the national and international profile of Athens State’s digital arts programs.