Back

news

The Modern’s President Named as Top 500 Influential Ohioans

The Modern’s President, Jessica Barry, is listed as one of the 500 most powerful and influential Ohioans in the Fall 2022 …
The Modern’s President, Jessica Barry, is listed as one of the 500 most powerful and influential Ohioans in the Fall 2022 issue of Ohio Business magazine. For the first time, the magazine honors the top 500 Ohioans working to make Ohio great.

Jessica Barry is a 1997 The Modern College of Design graduate and holds a BA in management from Antioch University Midwest. Jessica has served as The Modern’s president since 2007 and is the sole owner. During her tenure, The Modern transformed into one of the top design schools in the nation, and enrollment has increased by over 80%. Jessica has led faculty, staff, and administrators through a significant campus expansion and launched the college’s first baccalaureate, online, and co-op programs.

In 2018, the American Advertising Federation-Dayton named Barry Educator of the Year and awarded her the Silver Medal Award for outstanding achievement in 2019. Additionally, in 2018, The Modern was recognized as the Woman-Owned Business of the Year and Business of the Year by the Dayton Business Journal.

Jessica served as a primary negotiator on the US Department of Education’s 2017–18 Gainful Employment and the 2021 Loans and Affordability Negotiated Rulemaking Committees. She is also a member of the Dayton Chamber of Commerce Board of Trustees, Montgomery County Educational Service Center Business Advisory Council, Dayton Art Institute Education Committee, and other local organizations.

Jessica is committed to providing an outstanding educational experience for students and exceptional entry-level talent for the design industry.

Jessica’s husband, Doug Barry, is also included in the prestigious list. Doug is an Ohio Northern University alum and owns BarryStaff, a staffing firm located in Dayton, Ohio. Jessica and Doug reside in Miami Township, and their two sons, Andrew and Justin, are business students at the University of Kentucky.

“I am honored by this recognition alongside such innovative and passionate Ohioans, “said Jessica Barry, President at The Modern. “I work every day to provide greater opportunities for creative students, and I’m thrilled when our students, alumni, faculty, and staff open new doors that strengthen Ohio’s creative economy.”

previous

view all

next