SCHOOL OF ADVERTISING ART (SAA)
Jessica Barry is a 1997 graduate of the School of Advertising Art (SAA), holds a BA in management from Antioch University Midwest, and has been recognized as an award-winning educator and creative director. Jessica has served as President of SAA since 2007, overseeing all operations of the college and, in 2013, she purchased the assets of the college and is the sole owner. On July 20, SAA will be become The Modern College of Design.)
With over twenty years’ experience as a graphic designer, art director, and creative director, Barry is uniquely suited to make informed decisions regarding program development, curriculum, faculty, equipment, and learning resources. Her work has been honored by AIGA, GDUSA, the Columbus Society of Communicating Arts, Art Center Dayton, and the Admissions Marketing Report. In addition, she is an active member and leader of many local and national organizations. Most notably, she served as a primary negotiator on the 2017–18 U.S. Department of Education’s gainful employment negotiated rule-making committee, and she co-chaired a 2016–17 Career Education Colleges and Universities committee to draft recommendations for the Reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.
HOW AND WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO MAKE EDUCATION A MEANINGFUL PART OF YOUR CAREER?
After working in the design industry, I returned to an SAA portfolio show and was elated to witness the students’ work. It went beyond the quality of the students’ portfolio pieces: it was their dedication to building a future doing what they love. I decided then that I wanted to be involved in education as their advocate and promote how students can utilize their artistic talents and have a successful career. Every time I connect with our graduates and they speak passionately about their lives, and their strong careers in the design field, I know we are making a difference.
HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE TEACHING OF FUNDAMENTALS VERSUS THE NEED TO RESPOND TO OUR FAST-CHANGING WORLD OF MEDIA, TECHNOLOGY AND CULTURE?
The pace of technological progress will continue to increase exponentially over time. What will not change is the importance of being a problem solver. To be successful in their futures, students must learn how to view these changes as problems to solve. At SAA, students learn to evaluate new technologies and choose how those technologies can become part of their solutions. Strong problem-solving skills are the foundation for success in 2018 and beyond.
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