In December 2020, Robert von Dassanowsky, one of the world’s top scholars in Austrian Studies and an internationally-recognized expert in Central European culture, was named Distinguished Professor within the CU System. Dassanowsky is founding director of Film Studies since 1998 and has continued to develop the program and its professional reputation. UCCS Film Studies graduates often have their choice of the top filmmaking or film study programs in the world, in part to the rigorous education they receive before stepping behind a camera.