SUNY Westchester Peekskill . 27 North Division Street . Peekskill NY 10566 . 914-606-7300 Hi, I’m Nihil George, and I’m an Office Assistant with the Center for Digital Arts at Westchester Community College. I graduated from Manhattanville University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, bringing with me experience in administration, mentoring, community service, and working with people in a variety of settings. Throughout my academic and professional experiences, I’ve had the opportunity to explore different interests, develop new skills, and learn from the people and communities around me. My path to WCC was a bit unexpected, but I was excited for the opportunity to start a new chapter, step into a new environment, and build on the experiences that brought me here. Since joining Peekskill, I’ve enjoyed getting to know the center and the people who make it such a diverse and active community. In my role, I help support the day-to-day operations of the Center for Digital Arts and contribute to the work that happens behind the scenes to keep things running smoothly. I’m still early in my career, so I’m looking forward to continuing to learn, taking on new challenges, and discovering where this experience may lead me next. For now, I’m grateful to be part of a community where I can grow, contribute, and connect with others each day. Emmanuel Jaquez is an animator, illustrator, graphic designer, educator, and creative technologist whose work brings together storytelling, imagination, art, and technology. Originally from Bonao, Dominican Republic, Emmanuel immigrated to New York City as a teenager, where his passion for drawing and visual storytelling eventually led him to pursue animation at the School of Visual Arts. He earned his BFA in Animation in 2009. With more than 16 years of experience in animation, graphic design, illustration, education, and technology, Emmanuel has built a career that moves naturally between the creative and technical worlds. His work includes 2D animation, character and visual development, illustration, branding, posters, promotional materials, and digital media. He continues to develop original creative projects and animated stories, exploring imaginative worlds and ideas through visual storytelling. Education has also become an important part of Emmanuel’s creative journey. He has taught digital art, 2D animation, stop-motion animation, Photoshop, and other creative technologies, helping students develop both their technical abilities and their artistic voices. His approach to teaching is rooted in the belief that creativity is not simply about mastering a tool—it is about learning how to see, imagine, experiment, and communicate ideas. Professionally, Emmanuel has also worked as a Senior Technical Assistant at Westchester Community College, where he combines technology, problem-solving, and creative expertise to support students and faculty. His experience maintaining computer labs, teaching software, troubleshooting technology, and developing visual communications has given him a unique perspective at the intersection of art, education, and technology. At the heart of Emmanuel’s work is storytelling. He is fascinated by the ability of animation and illustration to transform ideas that exist only in the imagination into worlds that others can experience. Whether creating an animated film, illustrating a character, designing a visual identity, or mentoring a student, his goal is to spark curiosity and inspire people to see what might be possible. FACULTY FOCUS STAFF FOCUS FEATURED FOCUS 17
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