Art major Skylar Williams began sketching fantasy characters in black and white while spending time at her family’s printing shop after school.
“I loved the development process more than finishing the final piece,” said Williams, who began drawing at a young age. “I fell in love with visual storytelling and the artwork’s potential.”
The Cal State Fullerton junior aspires to become a storyboard artist — taking a script and reimaging a story into illustrated frames to bring characters to life in full motion and color.
“Storyboard artists navigate and experiment through staging, character expression and overall feel of the scene,” she said.
To realize her dream job, Williams knew she needed to earn a college degree in animation. She looked up to successful, college-educated animators as role models.
Williams was determined to get good grades in high school to get accepted to CSUF — and become the first in her family to pursue higher education.
“CSUF has been my dream school since I was 13 years old,” said Williams, raised by a single mom in the Bay Area city of Hayward. “I’ve wanted to be a part of the university since I was in middle school because the animation program teaches you how to work in a studio environment.”
As a first-generation college student, Williams gained support from the Career Center’s “I Am First, I Am an Artist” program.
The program in the College of the Arts launched in 2023 to give first-generation arts students the opportunity to explore career options and meet artists in visual arts, music, dance and theatre. Students learn about campus resources and polish professional skills to prepare for successful careers.
“The program supports students’ career development in building their professional brand, especially since many are the first in their families to pursue a career in the visual and performing arts,” said Daniel Andrade, College of the Arts career specialist.
“It’s important for first-generation students to build confidence and connections with industry professionals, which can lead to future opportunities.”
Nearly 32% of CSUF’s student population identifies as first-generation — the first in their family to go to college. National First-Generation College Student Week is observed the first week of November.
The “I Am an Artist” program is an offshoot of the nationally recognized “I Am First” program, started in spring 2020 by the Career Center to help first-generation college students achieve academic and career success.
For Williams, participating in “I Am First” inspired her not to lose sight of her career aspirations.
“The program showed me what I am capable of — and reminded me to keep working hard to graduate and earn my degree,” she said.
In addition to focusing on her studies, Williams works as a cast member at the Disneyland Resort. She is a scholarship recipient of the Disney Aspire program for Disney employees, offered in partnership with CSUF.
Throughout her university education, Williams has gained insights into animation, including visiting Walt Disney Animation Studios and Nickelodeon, and serving as vice president of the WIA student animation organization.
In her leadership role, Williams organizes WIA (formerly Women in Animation) events, including inviting professional artists to share their experiences with students.
“Every struggle and victory I’ve experienced has led me to CSUF,” she said. “Being here to earn a degree in animation is my dream come true.”