By Rachael Myer
OpportunityGreaterPhoenix.com
July 19, 2010

University of Advancing Technology President Jason Pistillo demonstrates the Microsoft surface, a table-sized touch-interface computing system. Pistillo described the chiding he received from students when the university purchased the system -- "They said we could've invented one ourselves," he said.

TEMPE – A small Tempe-based university is training students to retrieve forensic data from phones and cameras, program video games, and design mobile and stationary robotics platforms.

University of Advancing Technology graduates work at the Department of Defense, National Security Agency, and leading entertainment and video game companies such as Blizzard Entertainment and Electronic Arts.

A 2007 graduate, Rick Ravenell, worked on James Cameron's recent film Avatar. Ravenell designed and created the heads-up display graphics in the command center and the human military vehicles in the movie.

The private college is designed for self-identified geeks, gamers, and people who enjoy hacking computer systems.

UAT President Jason Pistillo describes himself when young as a student without many friends who walked around school halls trying to look busy.

“UAT is here to serve that kind of student,” he said.

UAT offers 16 bachelor’s degrees in fields such as robotics and embedded  systems, network security, and game art and design.

UAT offers master’s degrees in advancing computer science, game production and management, and technology leadership.

Founded by Pistillo’s father Dominic in 1983, the school now has 1,100 students.

Over the years the school has earned accreditations from the Higher Learning Commission and Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools.

In 2007, the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security notified UAT that it had designated it a Center of Academic Excellence in Information Assurance Education for the years 2007 to 2012.

The goal of the designation is to help protect the country’s information infrastructure and to produce more professionals with information assurance expertise, according to the National Security Agency’s website.

Dan Dean, 23, is one of UAT students interested in working for the government.

Dean is studying technology forensics and would like to work at the Department of Defense after he graduates in December. He is learning how to retrieve information from cameras and phones to assist law enforcement, lawyers, and government agencies.

He taught himself many computer skills before he moved to Tempe from Cleveland.

“It kind of came as second nature to me,” Dean said.

He starts an internship at Paraben, which develops computer forensic software, in northern Virginia in September.

UAT has been a good fit for Dean.

“It’s a different type of learning,” he said. “A lot of our degrees are hands on.”