NEWPORT – The IYRS School of Technology & Trades has appointed Jay Coogan president, effective Oct. 1, the school announced Monday.
Coogan will be the third president in the school’s history.
Coogan is currently the president of the Minneapolis College of Art and Design and previously served as the provost at the Rhode Island School of Design.
Coogan will be assuming leadership from Terry Nathan, who is retiring after a 15-year term, the school said.
“The IYRS board is delighted that a leader of Jay Coogan’s caliber is returning to Rhode Island to lead our school. We believe his skills and experiences will enable IYRS to further our strategic vision of being a unique learning center that equips students with the technical knowledge and innovative skills that meet the needs of industry,” said IYRS Chairman Joe Dockery in a statement.
Coogan is currently the chairman of the board of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in visual arts from Brown University and a Masters of Fine Arts in sculpture from Hunter College in New York City.
“I’m so pleased to become president of IYRS and be able to apply my over 30 years of experience leading art and design schools,” stated Coogan. “IYRS is at the vanguard of a new approach to higher education and experiential learning. It is destined to become a world-renowned craftsmanship school. I’m thrilled to be leading this effort at an exciting time in the maker’s movement.”
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor.
