Awards to the Studio Arts Campus ... The College Director has been awarded the Triangle Business Journal's Women in Business Award. Many accomplished pros work and visit here to consult, present and "give back" to nurturing the creative growth of Living Arts College students.
College Director Debra Ann Hooper 2007 Winner Women in Business Award!
“In high school they told me I wasn’t college material. Today, I’m Director of a college I helped found.”
Living Arts College Director has been named as a Triangle Business Journal’s Women in Business Award winner for 2007. Ms. Hooper is one of the founding members of the Raleigh, North Carolina school that she now heads.
“One of my advisors in high school told me that I wasn’t college material. I sure wish she could see me now. You see, I am always up to finding an answer to any challenge. This is what we do every day here at the Living Arts College. We train dedicated, serious students to break in to good jobs. They meet all kinds of challenges. For example, one of our grads not only worked on the latest Academy Award winning animation feature, but has gone on to work on other major productions. This is not unusual.”
"I am writing on behalf of Kaye Lloyd Gattis, Pat Godwin Long, and myself to collectively recommend with highest praise Debra Ann Hooper for your consideration when selecting this year's 25 women who have proven themselves to be dynamic leaders." - Kelli Moore Barham
History of Accomplishment
North Carolina native and Living Arts College co-founder, Debra Ann Hooper, officially opened the Living Arts College in Raleigh in 1992. She has served as the School’s Director and Vice President since the beginning. The school thrived under Debra’s signal leadership, and because of its growth, the School opened its new campus in October of 2003 in the Wakefield area of North Raleigh. The “Living Arts College @ School of Communication Arts” was recently named “one of the Seven Wonders of the Triangle" by the Raleigh News & Observer:. A tribute given to an institution of higher education that was made possible because of the dedication of our candidate’s career, and to the students under her watch.
Career Goal
The college is one of a handful of schools on the East Coast offering programs known for excellence in the Digital Arts Community. From its unique monolithic domes to its long-standing commitment to delivering a “Higher Digital Education,” the School attracts a diverse student population, including many international students. Ms. Hooper has hand picked the cream of the crop, and therefore the School boasts some of the best talent in the Digital Animation, Digital Media, Digital Filmmaking, and Digital Audio Production industries. She has also recruited a diverse faculty to enhance students' understanding across programs. School faculty hail from Argentina, Puerto Rico, China, Hungary, France, California, Florida, and New York, among many places.
Here are just a few questions that were asked to Ms. Hooper during her nomination:
Please describe your business.
I am the Director and Vice President of the Living Arts College @ School of Communication Arts. The School is one of a handful of schools on the East Coast offering programs known for excellence in the Digital Arts Community. From its unique monolithic domes to its long-standing commitment to delivering a “Higher Digital Education,” the School attracts a diverse student population, including many international students. I have hand picked the “cream of the crop” faculty, and therefore, the School boasts some of the best talent in the Digital Arts, Animation, Filmmaking and Audio Production industry.
Where is your business located?
The School is located at 3000 Wakefield Crossing Drive in the beautiful Wakefield Community of Raleigh, NC.
PROFESSIONAL
What is the most difficult aspect of your job?
The most difficult, but also the most rewarding, is continually providing positive motivation for not only my students, but the very talented faculty and staff that I work with every day.
What is the most enjoyable part of your job?
The most enjoyable part of my job is seeing the students graduate and knowing that I have been a major part of their success. Many of our graduates have gone to work in our “backyard” at local Triangle Area companies including Redstorm Entertainment, Epic Games, Virtual Heroes, SAS Institute, Rockett, Burkhead & Winslow, Research Triangle Institute, Trailblazer Studios, IBM, Blue Cross Blue Shield and the Carolina Hurricanes.
I also greatly enjoy traveling all over the country, meeting with company executives, art directors and trainers; this has afforded many of my graduates a “foot in the door” opportunity. I have pushed hard to help place our graduates at some of the most well- known studios and agencies in the industry such as: Electronic Arts, the World’s largest video game company; Industrial, Light & Magic, of George Lucas “Star Wars” fame, their latest project being the “Pirates of the Caribbean” series; The Walt Disney Company; PIXAR; Blue Sky Studios; Digital Domain; DreamWorks; Clix 3X, producers of commercials for Nike, MTV and Burger King; and Big Idea, the “Veggie Tales” creators. With many long-time associates in the industry, I will often pick up the phone to personally recommend one of our graduates to a world-renowned studio or production house.
What accomplishments are you most proud of?
The Living Arts College was the first college of its kind, not just in the Raleigh area, but the entire region. I was a Founding member from its inception. Watching us grow into a nationally-recognized training facility has been a source of great personal accomplishment for me. Also, witnessing an increasing number of women going into the traditionally male dominated fields of animation, filmmaking and audio production is a rewarding experience for me.
What was your best career decision?
By far, my best career decision was to open the School of Communication Arts with my business partner of 25 years, Roger Klietz. In 1992, we opened the School with five students and today we have over 350 students from all parts of the world.
What was the career decision you most regret?
I regret not returning to this area sooner than I did. This region is home to me and I love being a part of its growth.
What motivates you?
My source of motivation is seeing our students graduate from the School and their overwhelming excitement when they are hired by such companies as Industrial Light & Magic, The Walt Disney Company, Epic Games, PIXAR, Research Triangle Institute, Electronic Arts, SAS Institute, IBM, DreamWorks, Sony Pictures Imageworks, Clix 3X, Blue Sky Studios, Redstorm Entertainment or Duke University.
Who has been the most influential person in your career?
My father was an incredible business person. He taught me that I could do anything I wanted to and to never give up. He always made me feel that I was smart and talented and that I should never give up on reaching my goals. He always treated other people kindly and with respect and I’ve tried to follow his example in my business dealings as well as in my personal life.
What is the best career advice you've been given?
There is a place and there is a need for a hard-working, determined woman in whatever field you desire to be in. Don’t hesitate to jump into an arena that is new to you!
Fiftteen years ago …
To continue to lead the School of Communication Arts in the “cutting edge” of development in the exciting arenas of digital arts, animation, filmmaking and audio production. Fifteen years ago, I realized my dream of opening a Digital Arts School. Today, my two major goals are to expand the campus facilities by an additional 60 percent to accommodate training in three new disciplines: medical, dental and veterinarian technician and to expand our existing programs to include Bachelor degrees.
Continue reading below to know more about Ms. Hooper...
What is your strategy for balancing your professional and personal/family responsibilities?
I am extremely close to my mother, brother and sisters. We talk almost daily and certainly weekly. My family is the most important thing to me and they are always encouraging of my work with my School and I encourage them in their professional endeavors as well. My family and friends attend our School’s functions as guests when they are in town and they share in my pride in the School’s accomplishments.
Who are you mentoring and how?
I am actively involved with 350 students on a daily basis. I mentor every day. Having worked in the industry that we train in, I am able to share with my students the wonderful life this industry has provided me and can provide them. I have been fortunate to have visited many famous companies such as: PIXAR, Disney, Blue Sky Studios, Rhythm & Hues, Sony Imageworks, Digital Domain and Industrial Light & Magic. I love sharing these experiences with my students. One of my fondest memories I often share with my students is when I was given a personal tour of the private library of George Lucas and had lunch at SkyWalker Ranch. SkyWalker Ranch is the workplace of Film Director and Producer George Lucas of “Star Wars” fame.
PERSONAL
What is your educational background?
I have a Bachelor of Science degree from East Carolina University.
What was your first childhood job?
My first job was selling Christmas cards. I sold enough to win a free bicycle from the card company! That was my first sales job. I didn’t get a paycheck and I was only a kid but I thought it was “really cool” that I earned a free bike for my efforts.
What are three adjectives that describe you?
Energetic, Animated, Assertive, Passionate, Determined, Dedicated.
(It’s impossible for me to stick to a limit of three on this one!)
What town did you grow up in?
I grew up in beautiful Raleigh, North Carolina.
What was your favorite childhood activity?
I loved when my parents would pack the car with lots of great food and take me, my brother and two sisters to the drive-in movies.
What is your favorite downtime activity?
I enjoy traveling. I’ve visited some beautiful countries and there are still many others on my list of places I want to see!
Who is your favorite author?
I read numerous trade publications every day and I don’t really have a favorite author that I read for pleasure. I have read every one of Jack Welch’s (of General Electric fame) books time and time again.
What community organizations are you most passionate about?
I am passionate about providing scholarship opportunities for students who cannot afford the education that they are entitled to. To this end, I have endowed the George A. Khady Scholarship Foundation through William G. Enloe High School. This is only one of the scholarship opportunities I am involved with. My position as Director of the School of Communication Arts affords me the opportunity to help with the educational needs of our students on a daily basis. I believe in supporting our community by contributing to the education of its future leaders.
Please list the names and ages of immediate family members.
Peggy Martin Hooper (Mother)
H. Don Hooper (Father, Deceased)
Donna Hooper-Knox (Sister)
Randall Hooper (Brother)
Darlene Hooper Tharrington (Sister)
What song gets the most play in your iPod?
I favor older music with my favorites being Frank Sinatra, Elvis, the Beatles and the Rolling Stones.
What is your favorite restaurant?
My friends call me a “Foodie” and I have had the privilege of eating at some of the best restaurants in the country. My favorite restaurant today is Per Se in New York City. I ate there recently and experienced a nine course meal. The first thing that I do when I know I am going to visit a certain city or a foreign country is to start researching the best restaurants.
If a movie were made about your life, what would it be called and who would play you?
This question has me picturing the opening sequence of the Mary Tyler Moore show and humming “She’s gonna make it after all” with Mary twirling around and throwing her hat in the air! As a single, independent female, this probably most closely typifies my character. I wouldn’t change a thing. I would play the main character and my students would do the pre-production, shoot the film, and then finish the film by doing the post production editing. The name ….. Debra Ann Hooper.
What does winning this award mean to you?
I’m thrilled and honored and still can’t believe that my name will be listed with such successful women business leaders that are being honored this year and in previous years.
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Living Arts College @ School of Communication Arts
Find how you may qualify for the High Definition college that has pioneered digital art education. Look for training in interactive media, animation & game design, digital filmmaking, audio production, digital media and interior design ... in advanced studios teaching Maya, Pro Tools, Final Cut Pro, After Effects, Photoshop, Vegas Video and more in short courses, certificate programs, diploma programs and degree programs. Plan to visit the Studio Arts Campus ... the campus that one senior art education leader has called "... the art school of the 25th century!"
