Jonathan Estrin, a renowned Hollywood producer, director and writer, assumed the post of dean in the College of Design Arts in September. Estrin brings years of experience in television and film production to his post.

He has produced over 100 hours of network television programming and has written and directed produced numerous movies and television episodes for network and cable TV. Estrin managed his own production company, List-Estrin, with his late wife, Shelley List. He has been nominated for several Emmy, Golden Globe and Cable Ace awards, and received a Writers Guild of America Award.

Estrin holds a bachelor’s degree in theater arts from Hiram College and a master’s degree in directing from the University of California-Davis. Estrin has taught at California’s Davis and Santa Barbara campuses and at the University of Puget Sound. He has also lectured at UCLA, the University of Southern California, and California-San Diego.

"Artists have an obligation to teach the next generation," said Estrin. "My goal is to enhance our College’s national reputation and continue recruiting the talented students we already have."

Estrin’s plans include raising funds for an expansive new building to house the College; promoting stronger collaboration between students and faculty in the different disciplines; expanding programs, including the introduction of industrial design; increasing cutting-edge technology and resources for students and faculty; and redesigning the ground floor of Nesbitt Hall, which will eventually include eye-catching student work in the visitors’ lobby.

In addition to his writing and production work, Estrin is also committed to charitable causes. He is board chairman of Operation USA, an international relief group that assists nations plagued by famine and natural disasters. Estrin has led grass roots relief efforts in Cambodia, Nicaragua, Ethiopia and Somalia over the past twenty years. He has worked with political campaigns for national candidates and local candidates from California.