Prolific. Innovative. Bold.

If asked to describe Robin Conover’s professional career, these adjectives hit the nail on the head. The animator and filmmaker broke into a notoriously competitive market by daring to take the leap. He’s embraced and popularized new technologies and worked on some of the most well-known film and television projects out there. His skills brought to life projects like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and The Land Before Time; “successful” is an understatement.

Sit down with the BYU Continuing Education animator and you’ll see what truly brings him joy. You’ll meet a spiritual paragon, whose kindness and enthusiasm infect those around him. You’ll sense his deep, abiding love for helping others grow and progress. At the twilight of his storied career, Conover’s hefty portfolio is eclipsed only by the lives he’s touched. Conover’s faith in Jesus Christ has paved the way for lifelong learning to make its mark.

Robin has felt the gravity of animation pull at him since his earliest years. “It started when I was five years old. [The] first animation that I remember watching was...The Jungle Book,” he says. “I love drawing. I was always drawing, ever since I could pick up a pencil.”

Throughout his upbringing, Robin’s passion for storytelling and animation only grew brighter. It was what he wanted to do for the rest of his life. He’d heard of the financial ailments that plagued enterprising young artists, though, which deterred him from pursuing a career in the arts. “I always wanted it, but I’d heard for many years about the starving artist syndrome. At that point, I was starting to doubt it.”

So, Robin did as anyone does: he looked elsewhere. The University of Kansas City offered a six-year medical program. It was stable, and while it didn’t excite Robin like animation did, it would pay the bills. Robin blasted through the interview gauntlet, soon realizing that he’d be admitted. But there was a catch: when Robin brought up serving a mission, the dean dismissed the idea as something he could do after the program. “Well, I'm not going to do that,” Robin responded. His faith was his priority.

That seemingly small decision to serve a mission wouldn’t be Robin’s last instance of divine guidance. Returning from his mission, he happened upon a talk from a Church leader that called for more artists with strong testimonies and skills. The talk was a personal call to action, and Robin heeded the call.

“I just dove right in. They didn’t have animation training back then; they would train you on the job, and you’d send in a portfolio,” Robin says. The lack of certainty was daunting, but Robin forged ahead. Through providence, he happened upon a small studio up in Salt Lake, which was working on an unassuming project.

The project was Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.

Robin sent his portfolio in, and they loved him. That small Salt Lake studio was the launchpad of his career, which would take him and his family to Los Angeles, where they’d spend 25 years working in the rapidly evolving industry. Robin’s time in Los Angeles was full of professional triumphs. More importantly, though, Robin was able to humbly stand as a beacon of light to the people that he worked with. Through the whole experience, he was an everyday missionary.

“I used to play this game. How long would it take for people to know that I’m a member of the Church? I wouldn’t hold anything back, but it never took more than two days.” Coworkers knew that Robin was a Latter-day Saint, and he didn’t shy away from his beliefs.

During Robin’s work on The Land Before Time, he was called to serve as a bishop. When coworkers came to his supervisor with questions about morality or big decisions, the supervisor would turn them to Robin. Robin became a source of moral and spiritual guidance to the people he interacted with in small ways. He’d share experiences about raising teenage children with young parents or share subscriptions of The Friend with parents of little ones.

“It was pretty easy. [I’d] tell them that I believe in a God who loves all his children and we’re all equally precious to Him,” Conover says. Conover knew that what he had was special, and he wasn’t afraid of others noticing.

Robin’s faith-driven journey has brought him full circle. Eventually, having moved back to Provo, the Conover family found themselves living right across from BYU campus. Robin had foregone getting a degree from BYU, opting instead to pursue his career. Back in Provo, his peers and friends encouraged him to continue his education.

Robin was hesitant; being in a classroom full of 20-something-year-olds would be a little strange, he thought. “No. It’ll be great for the students. You have experience,” said Brent Adams, Director of the BYU Center for Animation. Robin took the leap, graduating from BYU’s Animation program after a storied career in the industry. The experience was a keystone for him and led to his eventual employment at BYU Continuing Education.

“When they offered me this job, I immediately took it. I loved being around the students. This was the most perfect thing the Lord could have given me, because I get to work with students and help them.” Now, Robin is able to continue doing what he loves as an animator, enable the lifelong learning that blessed his own life, and help student employees kickstart careers of their own. His stance within BYU Continuing Education allows him to drive lifelong learning in a big way.

Thanks to Conover’s consistent steps of faith, lifelong learning is changing the lives of countless people. The lives he’s touched through his example, the students taking courses he’s worked on, and the employees that work under him are all benefactors of Conover’s influence.

“This whole thing has strengthened my testimony that God knows us individually. I couldn’t dream of a better job to end my career on.”