Today we’d like to introduce you to Audra Pittman.
Audra, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
My career started when I finished my B.F.A. in Illustration at the University of Connecticut. I went on to receive my Masters in Art Education from Maryland Institute College of Art and taught middle school art in Baltimore for two years. I decided to get my Ph.D. in Art Education/Arts Administration from Florida State University so that I could better understand the business side of the art world. Upon graduation, I started working at a small university in Greenwood, South Carolina and shortly after that had the opportunity to work for SCAD at the Savannah campus. It was pretty much my dream job because I always wanted to attend SCAD, but now I had the chance to work there. I Chaired the Master of Arts in Teaching program at the time and worked closely with e-learning and other departments to create curriculum and see the inside of the machine. At the time, I also was dating a young man living in Tallahassee, FL. We became engaged, got married and got pregnant immediately after we married. I decided to relocate to Tallahassee since everything was still new, but my heart was always still focused on SCAD. In Tallahassee, I had the chance to get heavily involved in community service. I founded A.R.T. Town at Boys Town of North Florida, served on the boards of United Way of the Big Bend, Boys Town/North Florida, Tallahassee Community College Foundation Board and Thomasville Center for the Arts. I co-hosted a show on Fox 49 called “AM Break with Ann & Audra” and then soon became Executive Director of a local non-profit organization that served the Big Bend of Florida. Last year I was made aware of the VP position at SCAD opening and I pounced! My husband actually encouraged me to apply to know that this was my dream job. I officially started in February 2019.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I think some of the lessons I learned along the way are “stay true to your passion and don’t let defeat define you.” I distinctly remember finishing my Ph.D. and applying to SCAD. Because they were going through accreditation, they stated that they needed me to have my degree in hand. They asked if they could keep my application on file. In an interesting turn of events, it was one of the greatest things that could have happened. At my first University job, I was tasked with managing a department, going through accreditation and many other things that prepared me for the time that SCAD called back. Instead of being a professor, I was now equipped to Chair the Department. I am a huge proponent of timing and how things work out the way that they are supposed to work out.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Savannah College of Art and Design – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I think Savannah College of Art and Design is such a great company. Our mission is to prepare students for creative professions throughout engaged teaching and learning in a positively oriented university environment. Having attended and worked at other universities, I also appreciate SCAD’s commitment to students, surrounding them with industry professionals and jobs in creative careers. For several years, we have had 99% of employment for students. What sets us apart from other art and design universities is our flexibility and response to the industry. We don’t teach something just for the sake of teaching. We ask the industry professionals what skills, equipment, software, and other things that students need to be prepared to be successful in their respective careers. When I observe these professors and students in the classroom, I am always inspired. I always wonder if I can get any more degrees.lol. The major program of studies range from undergraduate to graduate and include things like Interior Design, Business of Beauty and Fragrance, Luxury and Fashion Management, Film and Television, User Experience (UX) Design, Industrial Design, Immersive Reality, Sequential Art and so much more. We have 40 majors, 75+ minors, and 4 campuses across the globe (Hong Kong, Lacoste, France, Savannah, and Atlanta). With more than 14,000 students, we have seen nearly 300 1st place awards in industry competitions, have had 75+ SCAD alumni credits in 2018 Oscar-nominated fields and growing. Our organization is Founder led by President Paula Wallace and her commitment to the students and this university astounds me daily. We have only been around 40 years and already have over 40,000 alum. We are accredited by a number of governing bodies and really are the future of higher education in my eyes.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I look forward to growing the university and helping people fulfill their dreams of being in a creative career. The landscape for employment and careers has changed so much over the past 20 years. With Atlanta being the Hollywood Capital of the South, there are so many ways for our graduates to make an impact in that industry alone before they even graduate. I personally find joy in meeting students, helping them through challenges, and seeing them take risks that I would’ve never dared to dream when I was first in college. I hope that I can continue to inspire my three little girls to think of creative careers for their own future.
Contact Info:
- Address: Savannah College of Art and Design
1600 Peachtree St. NW - Website: www.scad.edu
- Phone: 404.253.2700
- Email: contact@scad.edu
- Instagram: @scaddotedu
- Facebook: SCAD – The University for Creative Careers
- Twitter: @SCADdotedu
Image Credit:
SCAD Photography for all photos
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