Lynn University recently appointed Cesar Santalo dean of the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn College of Communication and Design.
Santalo is an award-winning visual communications professional, artist, animator and educator with extensive experience directing, creating and implementing a broad range of revenue-generating design and animation projects.
"Santalo is strategic and focused but also a visionary who is equipped to further build Lynn's communication and design program," said Dr. Katrina Carter-Tellison, vice president for academic affairs. "He understands the industry today as well as what it will require in the future."
Over the past 20 years, Santalo served as adjunct professor at Miami Dade College, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh and University of Miami, teaching a variety of subjects from traditional and digital drawing to project budgeting and advanced animation.
Most recently he worked for Telemundo/NBC Universal on Quibi, a short-form streaming platform that generated content for viewing on mobile devices, created by DreamWorks founder Jeffrey Katzenberg. Previously he held roles at Univision, including art director for corporate marketing, promotions and digital. He oversaw the design and branding for three of its networks: Univision, Unimas and Galavision. Additionally, he served as art director for entertainment and programming and was responsible for the design direction of shows such as Despierta America, Gordo Y La Flaca, Sal Y Pimienta, Nuestra Belleza Latina and Sabado Gigante.
Santalo has illustrated, designed and animated live performances for shows such as the Latin Grammys and Premio Lo Nuestro and for artists such as Calle 13, Carlos Vives, Cirque du Soleil, Gustavo Dudamel, Juan Luis Guerra, Marc Anthony, Magic, and Reik. He also art directed all the major title sequences for WStudios powered by Univision, including Amar a Muerte, La Bella y Las Bestias and La Piloto 2. His fine artworks are part of private, public and institutional collections nationwide, such as Miami Dade College Permanent Art Collection, FAMU Coleman Library Art Collection (Florida Art in State Buildings), Cuban Heritage Collection, University of Miami and Little Company of Mary Hospital in Chicago, Illinois.
"There are many creative and digital ways to engage consumers, so it's important that leading communication and design programs be on the forefront of trends," said Santalo. "Lynn is uniquely positioned in one of the fastest growing and most dynamic markets in the country. It can harness its location to build relationships with Fortune 500 companies and tech startups."
Santalo is currently pursuing a doctorate at St. Thomas University and holds an M.F.A. from University of Miami and a B.F.A. from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York. He also has a Six Sigma Green Belt certification—a quality improvement process that trains people to analyze and solve problems.
Share this page