Full Sail University’s areas of study are designed to help prepare students with the latest and most relevant skills needed in their respective industries. To help this effort, industry professionals offer valuable input by serving on the Program Advisory Committee (PAC) for each discipline.


When studying computer animation at Full Sail, students are exposed to a wide range of animation-related career tracks, and the Computer Animation Program Advisory Committee reflects this variety.


“That diversity helps kind of shift some of the perspectives that we have [in our curriculum],” says Program Director Pete Bandstra. “It just brings a little more uniqueness to their own perspectives as to what their industry does, how it functions, and what they look for in graduates or new employees.”


PAC members review course content, examine the hardware and software students use, and provide insight into industry changes that could impact what students are learning. The group meets twice a year on Full Sail’s campus, including some one-on-one time with students.


“That is one of the joys [they] get… actually sitting down with the students and spending some time with them… [to] review portfolios and discuss the industry with them,” Pete adds.


One PAC member even stays connected to students throughout the year. Valve Software artist Ricardo Ariza hosts a modeling workshop every two weeks and is active on the students’ Discord channel. Mauricio Ferrazza, Department Chairperson at the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex at Miami Dade College, and Origin Call, Principal/Instructional Leader at Florida Virtual School, are also part of the group.


PAC member Steven Hussey works as an Animation Instructor at Coastal Alabama Community College, teaching a variety of associate-level animation and virtual production classes. Several of his students have transferred to Full Sail to continue their studies. He also runs Design Viz Group and developed visualizations for landscaping at Nationwide Areana, home of the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets.


Steven makes it a priority to stay on top of the latest happenings in the industry so he can pass this along to students.


“You don’t want to teach students concepts or software that are outdated,” he explains.


He believes Full Sail’s Computer Animation PAC has been assembled in a strategic manner.


“Pete and the computer animation department are covering so many facets of the industry. [From] video games to more traditional animation to people who work at other colleges, I’m impressed with everybody.”


One unique career track he has recently discovered among new grads lies in the field of dentistry. Some dentists are using 3D printers to make crowns and need designers to help design them.


Another PAC member, Rob Bekuhrs, has done animation for a variety of shows and movies like The Rescuers Down Under and Lilo & Stitch. He currently serves as an Animation Director at Supergenius Studio, where he has contributed to numerous video games such as Family Guy: Back to the Multiverse and Skylanders: SuperChargers. He also teaches animation at Pacific Northwest College of Art. Rob agrees that the diversity of the PAC is so important.


“Having varied backgrounds is huge to be able to show not only what people are working on in the moment, but also what they’ve done before,” he says. “You have people in 2D and 3D, mobile games, those who’ve dealt with varying budgets. Every one of us has dealt with… nurturing and curating personnel as well.”


He feels strongly that giving students more opportunities to work together is essential for their future.


“One of the biggest things that I've expressed is the need for collaboration… how important it is to function as a team. And it's a tough thing to teach because so many artists coming into school have their [own] artwork vision.”

Ultimately, he hopes the group’s input on the coursework can make a difference in student outcomes.


“It's going to help improve the quality of artists coming out of the school. We've encountered students coming right out of school, and we have our opinions about how they could be better taught, what rigors they should be tasked with. And I think that's vital if you want to have a school that's valuable, that stands above [others].”