Erik Sand

Erik is focused on creating opportunities for FIEA students by growing the applied research program at FIEA through the creation of strong industry partnerships. 

Before joining the Florida Interactive Entertainment Academy (FIEA), Erik held leadership and consulting roles with organizations including IBM, Digital Equipment Corporation, General Electric, and several startup companies. His work has ranged from manufacturing systems and enterprise consulting to educational technology, business development, and entrepreneurship. Throughout his career, he has been driven less by specific technologies than by understanding how people, processes, and technology work together to create successful organizations and products.

At FIEA, Erik teaches GameLab (DIG 5856 – GameLab: Experimentation, Application, and Innovation in Games), a multidisciplinary studio experience in which student teams collaborate with industry and research partners to design and develop real-world interactive projects. Drawing on more than forty years of industry experience, he emphasizes systems thinking, professional judgment, collaboration, and authentic leadership alongside technical excellence. Erik views his students as emerging colleagues and strives to create the same environment of trust, mentorship, and professional growth that shaped his own career.

Erik earned his B.S., M.S., and MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and his Ph.D. in Modeling and Simulation from the University of Central Florida. His doctoral research explored how simulation and game-based interventions can improve hazard perception learning in novice drivers with autism using multimodal measures of performance, visual attention, and physiological response.

Beyond the classroom, Erik remains active in the modeling and simulation community through I/ITSEC, where he has served in leadership roles supporting the Serious Games Showcase & Challenge. He also serves as Board Treasurer of the UCP of Central Florida, helping provide financial oversight and governance for one of Central Florida’s leading organizations providing educational and support services for children with disabilities and their families. Whether working with students, nonprofit organizations, or industry partners, Erik is passionate about helping others navigate complexity, make better decisions, and grow into confident professionals.