College of Charleston Podcast Hosts New School of the Arts Dean
On this episode of "Speaking of ... College of Charleston," we talk to Dean Jayme Host about a new era for the School of the Arts.
On this episode of Speaking of … College of Charleston, we talk to Dean Jayme Host, the new dean of the School of the Arts, who joined the College in the summer of 2024.
“I am a strong advocate for the timeless value of the liberal and creative arts within the higher education landscape, and felt a calling to come to the College of Charleston,” says Host.
Host comes to the College at an exciting time and looks forward to celebrating the newly renovated Albert Simons Center for the Arts.
“We’re thrilled to welcome students and our new dean into the Simons Center,” says Edward Hart ’88, professor of music theory and composition. “The School of the Arts is involved with artistic institutions throughout the city, including Spoleto Festival USA, Piccolo Spoleto, the Charleston Symphony, the Charleston Gaillard Center and the Preservation Society of Charleston, and we are thrilled to welcome Dean Host as the new visionary of the ‘Artistic Heartbeat of Charleston.’”
On this podcast, Host speaks of her passion for dance and education, highlighting her past roles and achievements, which include working with various international dance companies and educational institutions. She says it’s important to train students to be exceptional in their discipline.
“We also want them to be aware of how that discipline fits within the larger landscape,” she adds. “We want our students to understand how their discipline connects to society and to discover opportunities to engage others with their art.”
Featured on This Episode:
Jayme Klinger Host is the new dean of the College of Charleston School of the Arts. She has more than 25 years of student success and higher education experience. Her comprehensive knowledge of higher education has been developed through work at three different public and private institutions of higher education. Host has extensive experience directing complex departments and projects, and intentionally bringing people together across divides and generating a positive vision that is long term, expansive and solution driven.
In her previous role as the director of East Carolina University’s School of Theatre and Dance within the College of Fine Arts and Communication, Host led the school’s strategic plan while serving as its senior academic officer, and was responsible for curriculum, human resources and fiscal operations. Her extensive administrative, artistic and academic career is steeped in a tenacious advocacy for student success and support. She is intentional in cultivating artistry, inclusive practices and global citizenship.
Originally from central Pennsylvania, she is a professor, dancer, choreographer, STEAM educator and arts integration specialist with 28 years of experience of teaching dance in higher education. As a dancer, she performed with Tandy Beal Dance Company in Tokyo, with the Pennsylvania Dance Theatre in State College, Pennsylvania, and as an independent artist. She has created over 50 original works throughout her career.
Resources From This Episode:
