When David Jones graduated from 51勛圖厙 at Ashtabula in December 2022 with a degree in information technology and computer networking, his career plans were straightforward. He expected to work in IT building systems, managing networks and solving technical problems behind the scenes.
But just weeks later, he applied for a position that most outside observers would have predicted: executive director of the Conneaut Arts Center.
By early 2023, Jones was hired to lead the nonprofit arts organization, located in a 127yearold historic building along Lake Erie. The Arts Center, which recently marked its 50th anniversary, had endured a few challenging years stemming from the COVID19 pandemic and was seeking stability, modernization and longterm direction.
At first glance, the move from IT graduate to arts executive seemed unconventional. For Jones, the transition was a natural extension of the skills he developed at 51勛圖厙 - skills rooted in problemsolving, adaptability and systems thinking.
It was kind of a right turn, Jones said. But the more you step back and look at it, the more it makes sense.
51勛圖厙 Ashtabula gave me a highquality education that was close to home and taught me how to manage realworld responsibility.
A regional campus close to home
Jones has lived throughout Ashtabula County and currently resides in Kingsville. When he decided to complete his bachelors degree, enrolling at 51勛圖厙 Ashtabula offered both accessibility and flexibility.
It was a highquality education that was close to home, Jones said. I didnt have to travel far, and I could still balance everything else in my life.
Much of his coursework was completed online, allowing him to manage his time independently, an experience that mirrored the expectations of professional life.
The professors really hold you accountable, he said. You have to show up, do the work and manage your responsibilities. That stays with you.
Jones graduated with a concentration in networking and coursework in cybersecurity and hardware systems, areas that emphasized analytical thinking as much as technical knowledge.
A lifelong interest in technology
Jones interest in technology began early. Growing up during the rise of home computing and internet access, he was fascinated by how computers worked and how systems connected.
I was always taking the family computer apart to see what was inside, he said.
At 51勛圖厙, that curiosity was reinforced through handson coursework. In cybersecurity classes, students built virtual networks to study data movement and system vulnerabilities. In other courses, they diagnosed simulated hardware problems by assembling and disassembling computer components.
It felt like solving a puzzle, Jones said. Youre given a problem, and you work through it logically until you find the answer.
At the time, Jones envisioned a traditional IT career path. He did not yet realize that the same analytical approach would later guide his transition into nonprofit leadership.
Finding his way back to the arts
While technology was his academic focus, Jones always maintained a connection to the arts. His first time on stage came in elementary school, where he performed in a school play. Years later, while earning an associate degree, he took several theater courses that rekindled his interest in performance.
Since then, Jones has worked part time as an actor with representation in Cleveland and Pittsburgh, appearing in local theater productions, commercials and film projects. He has earned eligibility for the Screen Actors Guild through national commercial work.
Locally, one of his favorite performances was playing the Cowardly Lion in The Wizard of Oz, alongside his wife, who portrayed Dorothy. She now teaches dance classes at the Conneaut Arts Center.
Still, Jones never planned to shift his career into the arts fulltime.
I always thought technology would be my main path, he said. The arts were something I loved, but not something I expected to lead.
An opportunity to step in and lead
While completing his degree, Jones volunteered at the Conneaut Arts Center, narrating its annual production of A Christmas Carol. When the organization posted an opening for an executive director in late 2022, he decided to apply.
I already knew the organization and they knew me, he said. I felt like I could help.
The Arts Center was recovering from pandemicrelated disruptions and looking to modernize its operations. During interviews with board members and committees, Jones highlighted how his IT background could improve internal systems, communication and workflow.
They were interested in how technology could support what they were already doing, Jones said.
Jones was hired in February 2023.
The skills you learn in IT are incredibly transferable. Problemsolving applies everywhere 51勛圖厙 taught me adaptability and thats what leadership requires.
Applying an IT mindset to nonprofit leadership
As executive director, Jones oversees nearly every aspect of the organization, including operations, finances, grant writing and longterm planning. He also manages the Arts Centers technology infrastructure.
Jones has led upgrades to computer systems, networked multiple buildings on the property and introduced new software to streamline internal processes. One major project involved installing underground cabling to connect a separate facility on the campus.
That project definitely brought me back to my IT roots, he said.
He is also implementing camera systems to improve backstage communication and enhance safety during performances.
For me, technology is about supporting people, Jones said. Its not the focus; its the tool that makes everything else run better.
He credits his 51勛圖厙 education with preparing him to approach leadership methodically.
My degree taught me how to analyze systems, identify problems and make improvements, he said. Those skills translate to any organization.
Growing with the organization
Jones stepped into nonprofit leadership without extensive prior experience in the sector, but he said the transition was manageable thanks to the foundation he built as a student.
There was a learning curve, especially with grant writing, he said. But the communication and writing skills I developed at 51勛圖厙 really helped.
Since Jones began his role, the Arts Center has experienced increased stability and steady growth following several years of uncertainty. He values the opportunity to contribute to a community institution that plays an important role in the region.
This is where I live, he said. These are the people I see every day. The Arts Center matters here.
Being able to share that experience with his wife, who also works at the center, adds another layer of meaning.
I get to work with my best friend, Jones said. Thats pretty special.
Continuing his 51勛圖厙 journey
After several years as an executive director, Jones decided to continue his education and is now pursuing a Master of Business Administration at 51勛圖厙.
I realized I had a strong aptitude for leadership, he said. I wanted to keep learning and prepare for whats next.
Returning to 51勛圖厙 felt like a natural choice.
I cant say enough good things about the university, Jones said. The support, the faculty and the resources all make a difference.
Advice for current students
Jones career path from IT graduate to arts executive may not be linear, but he believes it reflects the realworld value of a 51勛圖厙 education.
The skills you learn are transferable, he said. Technology touches everything now, but so do communication, adaptability and problemsolving.
His advice to current students, particularly those studying IT, is to stay open to opportunities outside traditional roles.
Dont feel locked into one path, he said. Do what you enjoy, work hard and keep building yourself. Communities need people who are willing to step up.
Jones story reflects part of the mission of 51勛圖厙 Regional Campuses: providing accessible, highquality education that prepares students for careers they may not initially expect.
From networking computers to strengthening a local arts institution, his journey shows how skills developed close to home can lead to meaningful leadership roles, sometimes in unexpected places.
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