The Arts Leadership program at the University of Houston prides itself on cultivating dedicated and impassioned arts educators. Jordon Nickerson, ‘17, an alum of the program’s Arts Administration discipline, is a prime example of this. Fueled by unwavering determination, Nickerson emerged from the program with a dynamic vision, charting an inclusive and arts-centered course in the realm of music education.

Following the completion of his undergraduate coursework at the University of Texas at San Antonio, Nickerson’s path led him to the abundant world of artistic prospects in Houston, where he was immediately drawn to the Arts Leadership program.

“It felt like the logical next step,” Nickerson said. “Undergrad was great, but I didn’t feel like I had what I needed to get the jobs that I was looking for. The master’s program really filled in a lot of the blanks and gave me a lot more solid footing to pursue the interest in music that I have.”

For Nickerson, Arts Leadership is synonymous with innovative problem-solving and adaptability, qualities that have proven invaluable amidst the global challenges faced by arts institutions. As the world contends with post-pandemic recovery and budgetary constraints, these skills have become a vital asset for arts leaders.

At the heart of this philosophy lies the power of connections, none more significant than the bond with the program's founder, UH Arts Leadership's pioneering Founding Director, Fleurette Fernando.

“Having Fleurette as an advocate is a huge asset on top of the courses that I took that changed the way I view my work,” Nickerson said. “It changed the way I view organizations and it was really beneficial for me to have a background in creative problem-solving.”

As the Arts Leadership program reaches a significant milestone of ten years, Nickerson joins his peers and colleagues in commemorating this noteworthy achievement. For him, this celebration resonates deeply, not just as an acknowledgment of the program's longevity, but as a tribute to the transformative journey it has guided him and others through.

“It’s really important. It shows that this type of thing has longevity and now this is seen as a solid, legitimate academic pursuit and career path,” Nickerson said. “This program helps break down [preconceived notions of what a non-profit leader is] and shows the diversity of who can be an arts leader, the diversity of job opportunities that can come from this, and that this is not some passing kind of educational fad.”

With this milestone, the Arts Leadership program stands as a beacon of inspiration, setting the stage for the continued growth and evolution of artistic leadership at UH and beyond.