By Kristen Poland
Staff Writer

In an office perched above Market Street’s bustle of tourist activity, Richard Jerue enjoys looking out over the heart of the city’s historic district as he works to build one of its newest residents. Jerue is president of the Charleston Art Institute, which with less than a year under its belt, is exceeding growth expectations.

The school attracts local students, as well as students from outside the Lowcountry, into its culinary art, design and media programs.

Jerue is proud of the school’s success and is passionate about continuing to grow and improve. He loves to show off the new facility. During a tour of the building, he details what goes on in each classroom. He’s eager to point out the culinary department is a supporter of locally grown produce and locally harvested seafood, and he makes sure to mention the brightly-colored artwork on the wall was designed by students. He greets everyone he passes in the hallway and even stops to poke his head in a faculty meeting and crack a quick joke.

Jerue’s easygoing demeanor becomes serious when he speaks about his leadership philosophies and the reasons he believes in the Art Institute. He said he believes in running the school like a business and being conscientious about spending and space use.

“I believe that most colleges are inefficient when it comes to finances,” Jerue said. “Art institutes try to operate as though they are a business. A business approach makes you more focused.”

That focus spills over into the education. Each program requires students to learn skills through practice. And Jerue emphasizes the importance of hands-on learning.

“I went to a traditional liberal arts college and when I graduated, I didn’t know what I wanted to do next,” Jerue said. “I became convinced that what colleges needed to do was assist students in career focus much earlier than they do. We do that here. From day one, the graphic design students are designing posters; the culinary students are cooking. They’re doing in college what they will do when they graduate.”

While Jerue is not an artist, the arts have always played a big part in his life. In fact, his wife, Diane, is a visual artist, he said.

“I’ve always been fascinated with museums, paintings—that’s totally different from any of my family,” he said. “I’ve been collecting art for years; I love the visual content of art, and also performing arts—theater, music, visual arts are all a big part of my life.”

After graduating from Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, Jerue earned a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School in Boston. He began working in education as staff director and counsel for the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Education, Arts and Humanities.

In subsequent years, he served in several different capacities for both House and Senate committees and subcommittees concerning education and financial aid for higher education.

“I realized the value of higher education and the value of finding ways to finance higher education,” Jerue said. “Also, working for Congress enabled me to realize that you will be successful if you are successful at developing a team approach. My position here is to hire good people, motivate my team and then get out of their way.”

Jerue began his career with the Art Institute in 1995 when he accepted a position with the Education Management Corp., parent company of the Art Institute, Argosy University, Brown Mackie College and South University. He was the assistant to then-CEO Robert B. Knutson and later served as president of Art Institute facilities in New York City, Brookline, Mass., and Washington, D.C. He also has held the position of vice president of government relations and corporate development.

During a trip to the Lowcountry in 1989, Jerue met Charleston Mayor Joseph P. Riley Jr. More than a decade later, when Johnson & Wales announced the closing of its Charleston campus in 2002, Riley contacted Jerue to discuss the possibility of opening an Art Institute in Charleston.

“Initially the mayor was attracted to the culinary program, but the art and design components fit perfectly as well,” Jerue said. “He became more and more convinced that the school would be a perfect fit in the city. It turned out to be true.”

Currently, the Art Institute has more than 300 students. Jerue believes about 500 students will be enrolled for the fall 2008 semester. About a third of the students are from more than 100 miles away from Charleston. The campus was built to hold between 750 and 800

students.

“We’re a brand-new school; we’re working to develop external relationships with all kinds of constituencies such as the art community, the public school system and local people,” Jerue said. “We think we’re doing something to enhance life in Charleston. We plan to continue to grow as Charleston develops into a wonderful arts and design city.”    

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