Aaron Cheney
Senior Developer at Night School Studio
Software Engineer at Riot Games working on the Gameplay Integrity team for VALORANT
I'm a lifelong gamer who is passionate about bring incredible experience to players through engineering.

I currently work on the Gameplay Integrity team on VALORANT, Riot's recently-released tactical shooter. In this role, I aim to provide high-quality, lightning fast gameplay to players.

Previously I worked at Night School Studio as a Senior Developer where I built tools and gameplay systems for Afterparty.
Night School Studio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/night-school-studio
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Senior Developer
Night School Studio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/night-school-studio
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Engineer
Night School Studio
https://www.linkedin.com/company/night-school-studio
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Engineering Intern
University of Southern California
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Collaborate with 3 professors to mentor 18+ small teams of students through a semester-long game development cycle.

· Guide students in software development with Unity, emphasizing good coding practices and highlighting design patterns. 

· Perform administrative duties, including: collecting assignments, managing Perforce depot, class communication.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Student Assistant
USC Viterbi School of Engineering
https://www.linkedin.com/company/usc-viterbi-school-of-engineering
· Create solutions for 5 assignments each semester for internal staff usage. Collaborate with professors to verify correctness. 

· Build 20+ unit tests using Google Test framework to thoroughly inspect student’s code.

· Designed and maintain Python library to support grading scripts: I/O, file comparison, compilation, message writing.

· Write Python grading scripts for each assignment, using my library and tests, cutting grading time by ≈ 50%.

· Supported a class of 150+ students with peer-tutoring by holding regular office hours and facilitating weekly lab sessions.
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Course Producer
Grab Games
https://www.linkedin.com/company/grab-games
· Developed VR prototype for HTC Vive John Wick project, an FPS training simulation with various game modes. 

· Experimented with audio and visual distortions while maintaining comfortable VR experience.

· Prototyped game mode challenging player’s ability to reload quickly while shooting.

· Ported mobile application from native environment in Android and iOS into Unity for centralized management.
Santa Monica, CA
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Software Engineer Intern
Twohey's Restaurant
· I worked my way from host, to cashier, to fountain boy, to server. Over 5+ years I proved my dedication to customer service and personal excellence. 

· I was often been singled out for important events such as catering and special requests. 

· I won several competitions for promotional food events, outselling fellow servers by hundreds or even thousands of dollars.

· I memorized customer’s orders for parties as large as 30 and I was often complimented for my superior service. I was consistently requested by regulars for breakfast, lunch and dinner. 

· During my five years as an undergraduate at USC, I worked weekends and summers at Twohey's with a full-time class schedule and various other work-positions.
Greater Los Angeles Area
Server
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Provided guidance and advice for two newly hired professional staff on key office decisions during an extreme leadership transition. As the three senior-most staff members left our office, I worked to ensure continuity of our programs and standards while recommending improvements and adjustments for future years.

· Supervised and coordinated “Ask Me” booths during Welcome Week, servicing thousands of new students. With three booths spread around campus, we worked to welcome each student and guest to the university by answering every question. We succeeded. 

· Empowered 25 younger students as leaders through example, activities, and presentations. With more than 4 years of experience in Orientation Programs, I was looked to as a role model by both students and staff. 

· Served the USC community for the second time in this capacity, returning as a back-end specialist to support the front-end workers in my final position for Orientation Programs. 

· Regularly engaged in monotonous and repetitive tasks with a positive attitude, including: inventory, stocking, cleaning, and miscellaneous errands. I filled in gaps behind the scenes for the seamless success of our summer programs.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Special Projects Assistant
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Hired, trained, mentored, and supervised a group of 25 peers acting as Orientation Advisors for the summer of 2011. From the initial hiring process through their final days as OAs, I worked to develop already-successful student leaders into ambassadors of USC. 

· Lead and created a 7-day training week for the Orientation Advisors, partnering with dozens of campus departments to prepare OAs to welcome 3000+ new students to USC. As the lead project manager I reorganized the training week, removing focus from static presentations and emphasizing hands-on training exercises. 

· Taught weekly 30-minute segments for EDCO 030, The Process of Paraprofessional Counseling for Young Adults. Instruction topics ranged from campus tours to proper use of language, from the history of USC to student-development theory and applications. 

· Designed the curriculum for a 3-day weekend retreat, incorporating office values with the Social Change Model. We communicated the purpose of Orientation Programs and established an expectation of excellence for each OA. 

· Each of the 25 OAs was given a lead assignment for the entire summer. I mentored half of the OAs with their leads (my co-OC mentored the other half), giving each student specialized attention and individual instruction. By the end of the summer each OA was autonomous in their duties; they could execute their assignments without direct supervision. 

· Developed and maintained other programs and aspects of Orientation, including Registration, Parent Q&A, Check-In, Early Arrival, and the New Student Social.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Orientation Coordinator
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Hired, trained and supervised over 35 student staff, including undergraduate, graduate, international, and domestic students. As the leader of the inaugural staff at the Campus Center I worked with senior USC administrators to instill a standard of excellence and purpose in each student worker. 

· Designed the staffing structure by creating positions and responsibilities for Attendants, Consultants, and Building Managers. Since the implementation of these positions in 2010, the duties and expectations have largely remained the same, a testament to my thorough foresight into the purpose of the Campus Center. 

· Led a personalized tour of the building with the then-Vice President of Student Affairs, helping to secure a $500,000 donation by communicating my vision of the Campus Center as the central gathering point for all Trojans worldwide. 

· Trusted with building-wide access and with opening and closing procedures, often arriving to work at 5:30 a.m. and leaving as late as 1:00 a.m. as the first-in or last-out employee. 

· Wrote daily reports tracking the usage of the building and recording incidences for follow-up. Reports were used to assess early patterns in the building, which guided later improvements of policies and informed administrators in designing effective uses of the building. 

· Maintained a bi-weekly schedule of 1000+ working hours each pay period using Gmail Calendars.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Building Manager
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Acted as a student ambassador for the University of Southern California for all incoming students of 2010, promoting and upholding community standards at USC by providing an example of the ideal Trojan.

· Oversaw Check-In at all 14 summer sessions, supervising the other 25 Orientation Advisors to ensure student's first experience at USC was facilitated by a smooth process. In total we checked-in over 3000 students and always met the strict time constraints. 

· Advised incoming students with registration for engineering classes and guaranteed every student a full-time schedule of 16 units before leaving campus. I worked with students on an individual basis, considering unique circumstances as I prepared each student for a successful first semester at USC.

· Lead four discussions at each Orientation session focusing on aspects such as: campus issues, Trojan culture, defining qualities of Trojans, student involvement, and university policies.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Orientation Advisor
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Singled out for promotion to building manager as our operation moved to the new Ronald Tutor Campus Center. I helped coordinate the transition to the new building and eventually implemented new staffing procedures. 

· Provided excellent, assertive customer service for several student offices housed within one building. To best serve students and guests I fostered relationships with staff members in each office.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Student Consultant
University of Southern California: Orientation Programs
https://www.linkedin.com/company/university-of-southern-california
· Assisted the Director of Orientation Programs in his daily activities and responsibilities.

· Coordinated the "Ask Me" booths during Welcome Week in August 2009, servicing thousands of incoming students and family members by guaranteeing an answer to every question.

· Managed the microseminars webpage format and content, working with the Provosts office to regularly update content.

· Performed miscellaneous tasks as required by the Director, including inventory, stocking, cleaning, and other activities.
Greater Los Angeles Area
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Special Projects Assistant
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
I will be returning to USC in the fall of 2014 to earn my second bachelor's degree in computer science games, an interdisciplinary program between the Viterbi School of Engineering and the School of Cinematic Arts. Topics covered in the cross-disciplinary game development portion of the degree program include game production, visual design for games and interactives, computer animation, video game programming, game hardware architectures, game engine programming, serious game development, introductory and intermediate game design, and two semester-long final game projects.
Computer Science Games
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University of Southern California
https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-southern-california/
Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Graduated with Honors in Mathematics, Cum Laude. Received Order of Troy upon graduation for outstanding academics and dedicated, proven leadership; received Half Century Trojan Scholarship in 2010 for academic commitment and leadership potential. Engaged in numerous activities outside of the classroom and maintained high academic grades all while paying my way through school.
Mathematics
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University of Southern California
https://www.linkedin.com/school/university-of-southern-california/
HS Diploma
Arcadia High School
Outstanding scholarship and service, demonstrating extraordinary commitment to the University of Southern California's campus community. These honored recipients have excelled academically while dedicating themselves to leadership in various facets of university life.
USC
Order of Troy
Most outstanding presentation at the 2011 Regional NODA conference in Berkeley, CA, where we presented on the integration of group development theory and ice breakers.
National Orientation Directors Association
Regional Showcase Presentation Award
In addition to demonstrating outstanding scholarship and leadership qualities, award recipients must be related to a graduate of USC of more than 50 years ago. As a 4th generation Trojan, I am proud to have received this honor.
USC Alumni Association
Half Century Trojan Scholarship
Recognized by the USC Student Spotlight Series for my contributions to Orientation Programs.
USC
Student Spotlight Series
Abstract Algebra
Math 410
Advanced Principles of Physics: E&M
Phys 162
Advanced Principles of Physics: Mechanics
Phys 161
Advanced Principles of Physics: Relativity
Phys 163
Advanced Writing
Writ 340
Ancient Greek Culture and Society
Phil 115
Chemistry in the Environment, Energy, and Society
Chem 201
Complex Analysis
Math 475
Engineering Computational Methods
EE 150
Film, Power, and American History
Hist 225
Introduction to Digital Logic
EE 101
Linear Algebra
Math 471
Linear Circuits
EE 202
Math Analysis
Math 425ab
Mathematics of Physics and Engineering I
Math 245
Mathematics of Physics and Engineering II
Math 445
Nonlinear Dynamics and Chaos
Math 465
North American Indians in American Society
Anth 316
Stellar Astronomy
Astr 410
The Beatles: Their Music and Their Times
Musc 422
Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics
Phys 316
Vector Analysis and Differential Geometry
Math 435
https://www.linkedin.com/in/natashajulka
Los Angeles, CA
Natasha Julka
Head of Data at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/maxbudninskiy
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Max Budninskiy
Staff Data Scientist at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-jantz-aba3859
St Louis, MO
Sam Jantz
Software Engineer at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanalandis
Los Angeles, CA
Sean Landis
Software Engineer at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-rowell-a9663a12
Glendale, CA
Alex Rowell
Senior Software Engineer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-newel
Rocklin, CA
David Newel
Software Engineer at Riot Games
https://ru.linkedin.com/in/dmitry-bogatov
Moscow
Dmitry Bogatov
VFX Artsit – Riot Games
https://cn.linkedin.com/in/fancyzero
Yangpu District
Lin Zhou
Riot Games - Senior Engineer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-lee-a1213a1aa
Powder Springs, GA
Christopher Lee
Associate Software Engineer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimmy-dean-813a291b6
Los Angeles, CA
Jimmy Dean
Senior Game Developer at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/nassir-al-awar-0062491a1
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Nassir Al-awar
Software Engineer at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-durica-65a3108b
Los Angeles, CA
Josh Durica
Senior Software Engineer at Riot Games
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kyle-morgenroth
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Kyle Morgenroth
Software Engineer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drew-wilson-3b188811b
Irvine, CA
Drew Wilson
Software Developer
https://www.linkedin.com/in/juan-serrallonga-2021382b
Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
Juan Serrallonga
Sr Software Engineer  at Riot Games
https://in.linkedin.com/in/balasubramanyam-c-8646271b4
Andhra Pradesh, India
Balasubramanyam C
Software Engineer I at Terralogic Inc.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-krissi
Los Angeles, CA
Jordan Krissi
Software Engineer at Riot Games
Scott Flanary
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I worked with Aaron for two years in USC Orientation Programs. In both his Orientation Coordinator (OC) and Special Projects Assistant (SPA) roles, Aaron was able to balance professional maturity and business acumen with natural leadership.

An OC is tasked with leading his or her peers by example, something Aaron was able to do effectively. Not only did the staff under his supervision thrive in the collaborative and inclusive environment Aaron promoted, but they also developed front-line soft skills that have helped them become successful in future professional jobs on campus.

The next year, Aaron was hired as a SPA because of his expertise in event management and logistics. Aaron was treated as a full-time staff member in this role, and he was regularly relied upon for crucial back-of-house duties. Ultimately, multi-day programs ran smoothly because of Aaron's collaboration with other event planning staff, and his ability to put out "fires" by making smart decisions quickly.

While Aaron's career path takes him away from student programming, the transferrable skills are there. He easily multitasks while building quality relationships quickly with key individuals. Aaron can accomplish a great deal under pressure, as evidenced by his ability to maintain strong grades while working full-time. Aaron is a team player and is comfortable in a support or leadership role. I recommend Aaron as a part of anyone's team. Brady Cushman
      
          



            
              
        
              
  

    
        I had the pleasure of working with Aaron for two years at USC.  Aaron is a driven and focused worker who works tirelessly to excel at everything that he does.  He managed multiple responsibilities (classwork, plus multiple jobs and positions at school) with ease, and always carried himself professionally and with a great sense of humor.  I would be lucky to have someone like Aaron on my next team.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cheney-3a1b3411
Verona, VA
Aaron Cheney
Technology Supervisor at University Instructors, Inc
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cheney-058b8865
Kansas City Metropolitan Area
Aaron Cheney
!
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaron-cheney-07670520
Findlay, OH
Aaron Cheney
Manager - Operations / Production - Plastic Assembly
https://www.linkedin.com/in/aaroncheney
Kent, WA
Aaron Cheney
I do my own stunts.