Fashion Major

Meet our Faculty

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  Camilo Ruiz

  Media Arts & Animation

  "Follow your passion no matter the cost, and never give up."

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  Camilo Ruiz

  Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

  In high school, the only subject I was passionate about was drawing. When I found about media arts as a career—when I learned you could get a degree in animation—I didn’t think twice.

  How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

  I share my experiences as a way of opening students’ eyes to the challenges and opportunities that await them. In my career, I’ve learned a lot through trial and error. All those anecdotes, both positive and negative, serve as useful guidelines for students.

  What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring?

  The creative process can be very intimidating for beginning students, so I break that process down into simple steps through my own artwork. I’ve found that demonstrating a variety of methods and techniques inspires students. And although I provide specific, detailed instructions for class assignments, I make sure to build in plenty of room for creativity

  How does collaboration contribute to students’ success?

  Teaming up on a project helps students develop the managerial skills they’ll need in the workplace. And when creative minds get together, the work gets better.

  What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

  Stay productive, never sacrifice quality, and most importantly, persevere. Follow your passion no matter the cost, and never give up.

  Anything else you’d like to share?

  There’s a big difference between knowing how to do something and teaching it. Teaching is truly an art form unto itself. Teaching animation is a newfound passion that’s tested and pushed my skills, and taught me the importance of helping others reach their goals.

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  Teresa Fary

  Fashion Marketing & Management

  "There's tremendous strength in numbers when creative people pool their talents."

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  Teresa Fary

  Was there a defining moment when you knew you were destined to become a creative professional?

  I honestly can’t remember not being drawn to sales, fashion, marketing and retailing. Teaching those subjects lets me share what I know—and challenges me to keep up in a field that’s constantly changing.

  How do you weave your professional background into the classroom experience?

  I taught fashion marketing for many years in a secondary school, and spent six years as an independent sales rep for manufacturers. The teaching part stressed the need to relate to all types of people, as well as manage a school boutique. The sales rep part let me to put those experiences into practice and see first-hand many of the issues large retailers and small business owners face. I gained a wealth of knowledge that doesn’t exist in a book or operations manual. And I share all that real-world experience in the classroom to help bring the lessons to life.

  What class assignment exemplifies your approach to teaching and mentoring, and how do you inspire students to push themselves beyond their perceived limits?

  With every assignment, in every class, my goal is to focus on the objectives of the course. I challenge students to do their best by using industry and peer evaluations. The feedback they get helps give them a realistic expectation of what they’ll encounter in today’s industry.

  How does collaboration contribute to students’ success?

  I constantly stress the importance of beginning their networking journey here in school. I believe the more they work with others and collaborate on projects, the more successful they’ll be as fashion professionals. There’s tremendous strength in numbers when creative people pool their talents.

  What’s the most important thing you impart to students to help them succeed in class and the real world?

  Attitude affects altitude. All your talent and all your good work mean nothing if you don’t show up on time and with a positive attitude.

  What’s the most critical advice you would offer any student embarking on a creative career?

  Having a job is a privilege, not a right. Work hard, have a good attitude, and you can take advantage of all the opportunities out there.

  Anything else you’d like to share?

  I love my job, and I value the students and professionals that I’m fortunate enough to work with every day.

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