That’s because he is James Geisler (Communication ’16), a UMD grad who has translated talent and a multifaceted education into a growing creative brand.
Geisler noticed something special about UMD during his very first visit. “I toured a lot of colleges,” he recalls. “But when I got to campus at UMD, I thought, ‘this is where I’m going to go to college.’”
A native of Saint Cloud, Minn., part of why he was drawn to UMD was because it struck the perfect balance between independence and familiarity: “Far enough to feel on my own, close enough to still see family.”
At UMD, Geisler set his sights on a Communication major with a minor in Business Administration. On a whim, he also dabbled in Philosophy.
“I took a couple classes and thought, this sounds interesting; I’ve never taken a class like that,” he says. “And ultimately, I loved it.” That spontaneous decision led to a second minor in Philosophy, rounding out a course load that spoke to his desire for versatility.
“My approach to college was to become well-rounded,” he explains. “Both Communication and Philosophy really pushed me to think outside the box. We all communicate, but we don’t necessarily think about that communication. And in Philosophy, hearing your beliefs challenged week after week broadens your horizons.”
Fittingly, it was a class that blended those two areas of study that particularly impacted Geisler. Taught by Professor of Communication David Gore, a class on Stoic philosophers awakened his creative side.
“James wrote and created an amazing video for my Senior Seminar on Stoic rhetoric,” Gore recalls. “He is a creative genius and an all-around delightful human being. He works hard and produces extraordinary outcomes.”
Thanks to careful planning, summer classes, and transfer credits, Geisler completed his degree and the University Honors curriculum in three years. He explored several career paths.
“I’ve worked in the corporate world, in advertising agencies, in mentorship and youth outreach,” he says. “My degree let me do all of that.”
But in the background, another passion was taking shape. As a teenager, Geisler experimented with music and video. Post graduation, his distinctive humor and inventiveness found a new home online.
That’s when the semi-ironic videos he took of himself performing tricks in Heelys—the wheeled shoes popular among tweens and a subset of very online adults—started to take off. “The first time I ever went viral was from Heelys,” he says. “It was surreal—millions of people were seeing my stuff.”
Since then, Geisler has evolved into a self-taught multimedia artist: a musician, video editor, graphic designer, and social media creative who produces everything himself. “At this point, I wear a lot of different hats,” he says. “I’m my own producer, audio engineer, graphic designer, video editor, web designer, and marketer.”
The DIY approach is rewarding but demanding. “Probably 60 to 70 percent of my time is spent on the business side—forecasting, looking at financials, outreach, creating content calendars. The remaining time is creative time. It’s a lot, but I like the freedom it gives me.”
As for what’s next, Geisler is focused on growth—both creatively and personally. He’s also looking forward to performing live more often. His next show is set for December 6, 2025, at Heavy Rotation Brewing in Brooklyn Park, Minn., a festive “ugly sweater” event that will mix performance with fan interaction.
Ultimately, his goals are grounded in simplicity: “I don’t crave fame. I just want to live a stable, happy life doing what I love—making music, creating content, and supporting my family.”
James’s Advice for UMD Students
“It’s very cliché, but it goes by fast. Enjoy your time there. Have fun—but be responsible. You’re paying a lot of money to be there, so take your studies seriously and find value, even if it doesn’t feel like it in the moment. Build connections—whether it’s with professors, the community, or other students. If I could go back, I’d be more intentional about that. Be present, get connected, and have fun.”