Leadership
George L. Pry
president, The Art Institute of Pittsburgh
Smart Business Pittsburgh | October 2008
George L. Pry has been busy during the
past 10 years, and his plate is always full
with the day-to-day business tasks that
most leaders face. But Pry has had other
initiatives keeping him busy as he has led
The Art Institute of Pittsburgh through a
major transition.
Since becoming president in 1999, Pry
has overseen many changes. The school
began offering bachelor’s degrees in
2000, which began a transition from a
career-focused technical institution to
academics. Several new programs have
been launched under Pry’s leadership,
including culinary arts, culinary management, fashion and retail management,
game art and design, entertainment
design, and visual effects and motion
graphics. Close to 60 percent of the
school’s students are enrolled in a bachelor’s degree program.
Pry has also helped grow the school’s
online program, which now includes 10,000 students from across the country
and abroad.
Pry also oversaw the move to a new location in downtown Pittsburgh. The building
includes new accommodations for the
school’s various programs.
Along with a new location, Pry made student housing a priority, finding more housing closer to campus for students to create
a greater campus living experience for students as well as work together with Point
Park University in making a contribution in
revitalizing downtown Pittsburgh. As of
earlier this year, nearly 900 students occupy three renovated buildings within two
blocks of the college year-round.
In July, the school received Middle
States accreditation, an important step
that helps with the school’s academic
transition and positions it for future
growth and expansion in new directions.
While Pry stays busy shaping the future
of The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, he also takes time to help out in the community.
He serves as commissioner for the
Accrediting Council for Independent
Colleges and Schools and sits on the board
of directors for Baldwin/Whitehall School
District and the Pittsburgh Downtown
Partnership. Pry believes strongly in community relationships and encourages
employees and students to get involved in
service organizations in Pittsburgh and
beyond. He also welcomes opportunities
for the school to extend its resources to
others in exchange for student experience.
HOW TO REACH: The Art Institute of Pittsburgh, (800) 275-2470 or www.artinstitutes.edu/pittsburgh
