National Park College (NPC) Digital and Media Arts student Julio Rodriguez grew up
in Monterrey Mexico. He moved to Glenwood, Arkansas at the age of 17 and completed
high school while learning English.
Rodriguez said he was drawn to art from a young age. He said his father was a talented
artist, but never had the opportunity to pursue art as a career. “I would just watch
him drawing and stuff, and I guess that just stayed in the back of my head for the
longest time.”
His parents owned a computer rental business in Mexico and Rodriguez loved spending
time there learning about technology. He began experimenting with photography and
computer programs at the age of 12, mostly for family and friends. “I started doing
my own photography when I was 12 or 13. I remember I would grab my mom’s camera without
her permission and started just taking photos.” He said the Digital and Media Arts
program is a good fit for him because it brings together the two things he is most
passionate about, art and technology.
During high school, Rodriguez says he toured several colleges before choosing NPC.
“I remember walking into Mr. Brown’s media room and I just fell in love with it.”
He said the equipment and technology surpassed anything he had seen at other campuses.
“The reason I chose National Park, besides that it was a lot more affordable for me,
was because the art department was a lot more developed than other universities.”
He said he believed the College was investing time and money into the program so students
could have a quality educational experience.
Rodriguez’s specialty is video and photography. He uses his skills to help with video
and photography projects at his family’s church in Glenwood. He plans to transfer
to Henderson State University to complete a bachelor’s degree in graphic design and
hopes to also pursue a master’s degree.
