Nossi Vatandoost and Nossi College of Art

Nossi Vatandoost’s office looks like any other president’s office: beautiful wood furniture, a clean desk with a laptop and iPhone, and an inbox full of matters to address. Two chairs face the desk for meetings, and the shelves are arranged neatly with collections of books and small sculptures from various art periods.

But it’s not where a president’s office should be. It’s right next to the reception desk, literally the first office of the building, and the door is open so students can drop in anytime to talk, show off their work and ask questions. She knows their names. Nossi may be the president of Nossi College of Art, but when it comes to the students, she says, “I belong to them.”

What began as an art class for two people in a kitchen is now an innovative program where students earn associate and bachelor’s degrees. It is Nossi’s dream come true: a place where students explore their artistic possibilities, learn about career opportunities and become part of the Nossi community. This community is what keeps Nossi motivated, pushing herself and her faculty to remain innovative, flexible and committed to the students before anything else. “We are always focused on re-investing in our students,” she says, remembering in great detail the purchase of the school’s first three computers (one old Mac still lives in the closet of Nossi’s office), along with a scanner and printer. A lot has changed since she began teaching in 1973, and she’s determined to stay on top of it.

Cyrus Vatandoost, Nossi’s son and executive vice president of the college, has a brain for finance and a deep understanding of his mother’s passion and mission for the school. “Everything we do comes from the need of the community,” he says, citing examples of programs that have changed to accommodate students, and modified plans for the new 55,000-square-foot facility, completed in 2010. At the request of one instructor, an awning was constructed over a walkway so students could safely transport their art in bad weather. Another wanted a roll-up door and a mezzanine for advance photo shoots. And every staff member wanted a window. “Whatever it was, we listened to them,” Cyrus adds.

Nossi values her faculty and staff for more than what they bring to the classroom every day—she values the role they’ve played in helping her achieve her dream. She readily admits that many people helped her along the way, and she has made sure to show her appreciation. “I was really blessed,” she says, listing everyone from her late husband, who encouraged her to open the school, to her first graduates, whom she remembers by name and current career. She laughs at the way she tends to give “mothering” advice to some students, but likes that students know she cares about them. “I always call it home for everybody,” she says, smiling, “and our staff is extended family.”

The sensibility to treat her students and faculty like family clearly stems from the legacy of family in the history of the college. Nossi’s husband had over 40 years of experience in higher education, and was instrumental in helping her establish the school and later earn accreditation. Cyrus has worked at Nossi since 1993 in almost every facet of the college. Before his current role of executive vice president, he had managed various departments including admissions, marketing, and advertising. “My parents’ philosophy was to have me learn every facet of the business,” he explains. Both Cyrus and Nossi attribute much of the school’s success to the strong family ties. “The main thing we have is trust,” Nossi says, and Cyrus agrees.

This trust translates to the students, who meet with Nossi for their mandatory mid-term review. This process is mandatory for all students and is attended by Nossi, a director, the career services coordinator and a senior faculty member. The student must bring several pieces of work that represent their progress up to that point, and the group offers a critique of the work. As an artist, Nossi understands the fear and vulnerability a young artist feels when presenting their work to someone else; instead of a cursory glance or a quick criticism, she talks to the student about the piece and offers helpful suggestions for improvement. She may be founder and president, but she’ll always be a teacher. Nossi says, “The first time I meet someone new I think, ‘What potential does that person have?’”

Her ability to see the potential in her staff, faculty and students has helped shape her vision for the future of Nossi. She wants Nossi to be a university, and has no doubts about the possibility. “It’s going to happen,” she says. “It might be in a few years, it might be later. But it will happen.” As the college grows and expands, the programs are sure to grow with it, reflecting the contemporary culture of art. “The industry is in a constant state of change,” says Cyrus. “And we are, too.”

Fortunately for current and future students, Nossi has never been afraid of change. No matter what the future holds for the college, Nossi will be there for the students, who are always shocked to discover that the school bears her name. “‘I can’t believe it—I can see the actual Nossi!’ they say.” Nossi simply laughs. “They can’t believe it’s real.” And when she tears up telling us how happy she is to have a college full of art students, it’s clear that sometimes she can’t believe it’s real, either.