College of Staten Island alumna Megan McNamee ‘21, BS in Computer Science, has been featured by Influential Women as an “Influential Woman” for her work as a UX Designer at Epic Games. The honor highlights her growing impact in the video game industry, particularly her contributions to Fortnite Battle Royale, her commitment to inclusive and accessible design, and her rising leadership in user experience.

Influential Women is an organization and publication that profiles women who are making significant contributions in their fields — especially those who are inspiring others through innovation, leadership, and community engagement. Its “Connect” section features individuals like Megan who combine professional excellence with values of accessibility, creativity, and influence.

While at CSI, Megan developed strong foundations in both technical skills and creative problem solving. “CSI has given me the opportunity to explore many facets of computer science and technology, but what I’ve valued most is the problem-solving inherent in every assignment. Approaching problems from multiple angles is what makes User Experience design so impactful,” she noted. “I’m especially grateful to my professors for encouraging me to apply design thinking early in my academic journey, by allowing me to apply my personal approach through my assignments, giving me the opportunity to present research papers and PowerPoints on the importance of UX in video games and even working on a video game project in Unity during my senior year. Their guidance allowed me to deepen my understanding of UX and cultivate a passion for creating thoughtful, user-centered solutions in the work I do now in my professional career.”

Those career paths Megan speaks of include internships at Epic Games and Insomniac Games, where she worked on high-profile titles, including Marvel’s Spider-Man 2. Her current role at Epic involves shaping player experiences in Fortnite Battle Royale, focusing not only on interface and usability but on emotional resonance and accessibility.

Megan holds certifications such as the AbleGamers’ Accessible Player Experience Practitioner and is deeply invested in creating UI/UX that is inclusive, emotionally engaging, and grounded in empathy. “Accessibility and empathy are at the heart of UX design because, at its core, our work is about people. Designing without empathy risks creating experiences that exclude, frustrate, or overlook entire groups of players,” Megan stated. “By prioritizing accessibility, I’m not just meeting a standard—I’m ensuring that every player has the opportunity to feel seen, included, and valued in the experience. It also means allowing them to interact with the experience I’m building that fits their needs best. Empathy is what transforms UX from a technical discipline into a human one. It allows me to step into the perspective of players, to understand their needs, and to design solutions that genuinely bring value to their experience. Especially in video games, where immersion and connection are everything, accessibility and empathy aren’t optional—they’re essential to creating experiences that everyone can enjoy and feel a part of.”

Her design philosophy centers on putting players first, embracing simplicity, thoughtful communication, and ensuring that the interactive experiences she helps build can serve diverse audiences. Her work reflects the values she cultivated during her time at CSI — perseverance, collaboration, and purpose-driven creativity.

Being named an Influential Woman is more than an accolade — for Megan, it represents acknowledgment of both her professional achievements and her ideals. “Being named an Influential Woman is both an incredible honor and deeply humbling,” she said. “Personally, it reminds me how fortunate I am to be surrounded by family, friends, mentors, colleagues, and a community who have supported and encouraged my growth. It motivates me to continue learning, sharing, and lifting others along the way. It inspires me more than ever to push the boundaries of User Experience in video games and to ensure that design choices truly serve players in meaningful ways. UX has the power to shape how people connect with games and how to think about real life scenarios, and I am committed to guiding that path forward.”

Looking ahead, Megan aims to continue expanding her influence in game design, particularly in areas of accessibility and inclusive design. “My future goals are centered on continuing to advance accessibility in video games—ensuring that players of all abilities can fully enjoy and connect with the games they play,” she said. “I’m also excited about exploring innovative design approaches that bring greater empathy into gameplay, whether through narrative, mechanics, or player interaction. Long term, I aspire to contribute to setting industry standards for UX in gaming, helping to guide the path toward more thoughtful, human-centered design. The future of games is full of possibility, with technology advancing and the tools we use to build these experiences, it only goes up from here and I’m inspired to be part of pushing that vision forward.”

The College of Staten Island is proud to call Megan McNamee one of its own. Her journey from CSI classrooms to shaping some of the world’s most popular interactive entertainment is a source of inspiration for current students and alumni alike. Most of all, the feelings are mutual, as Megan credits CSI for laying a great foundation for her success to this point in her career.

“I feel immense gratitude for the foundation CSI gave me—not just in computer science, but in the confidence to explore new ideas and challenge myself creatively,” she said. “My advice for current and future students is to stay curious and open to the unexpected directions your journey might take. Every project, even the ones that feel small, is an opportunity to learn something new about yourself and about the field. Lean into problem-solving, collaborate often, and don’t be afraid to explore areas that inspire you—even if they push you outside your comfort zone. That’s where the most meaningful growth happens. Never give up on your dreams. For those whose passions revolve around being in the video game industry, that door is open and waiting for you.” 

To learn more about Megan McNamee’s amazing honor, visit the Influential Women Website.