Successful leaders know that high quality education requires systematic, strategic and even-handed evaluation to ensure continued relevance in a rapidly changing world.
In other words, an objective focus!
Because we’ve been in your shoes we understand that every institution has unique opportunities and challenges and we are the antidote to “one size fits all.” Your needs become our compass as we partner with you and your team. We share your goals and dreams but we speak truth to power, adding an essential and impartial third-party perspective supported by practical strategies that sharpen your agenda as you shape your institution’s future.
Led by Neil J. Hoffman and David C. Levy, internationally known and respected educators who have held senior executive positions at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions, our team includes distinguished associates and brings a 360 degree perspective to institutional and curricular issues.
We bring our clients an internationally recognized record of achievement, having built both non-profit and for-profit institutions from scratch in the US and abroad, revitalized failing educational and cultural organizations and chaired regional and specialized accreditation teams. We have served as advisors to important universities, colleges and schools, consulted for the US Department of State and the Smithsonian Institution, and initiated award-winning community outreach programs.
Reinforced by a history of creative problem solving and innovative program design, successful marketing, enrollment management, fundraising and fiscal sophistication, our collective experience includes teaching, research, the creation and effective administration of classroom, studio and lab-based programs and pioneering work in the online world of cutting-edge education and technology.
President, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, 2007-15 • Associate Director, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), 2005-7 • Higher Education Consulting, 2000-5 • President, Otis College of Art and Design 1993-00 • President, California College of the Arts (former CCAC), 1985-93 • President, School of the Art Institute of Chicago 1983-85 • Dean, CEO, Otis Art Institute of Parsons School of Design, 1979-83 • Founding Director, Program in Artisanry, Boston University, 1974-79 • Associate Dean, Rochester Institute of Technology, 1969-74 • Art Teacher, Department Chair; Unified Arts Department, Grand Island Public Schools.
Neil Hoffman holds an MS and BS from The State University of New York at Buffalo.
President, Education Group, Cambridge Information Group (The School of The New York Times, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Bach to Rock), 2006 – • President, Sotheby’s Institute of Art, 2006-2016 • President and Director, Corcoran Gallery of Art and College of Art and Design, 1991-2005 • Chancellor, The New School for Social Research (NY), 1989-91 • CEO and Executive Dean, Parsons School of Design, (A Division of The New School) 1970-91 • Vice President, Parsons School of Design (pre-New School merger), 1966-70 • Director of Admissions, Parsons School of Design, 1962-66.
David Levy holds a PhD and MA from New York University and a BA from Columbia College, Columbia University.
Change Management is fundamental to Objective Focus’ methodology and informs our agenda as we work with you to examine your institution’s approach to success in:
When a project requires specialized skills, we call upon our rich network of associates; well-known practitioners who have demonstrated expertise in relevant creative, academic, technical or administrative areas.