Erin Elman

Dean, Continuing Studies

EELMAN@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6370

Erin Elman has served as the Dean for Continuing Studies at the University of the Arts since 2008. Over the past two decades, Elman has partnered with organizations as diverse as school districts, arts organizations, and international universities to provide both access to the arts and innovative programming to teens, adults and educators. Elman received her BFA in Art from Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA), an MA in Art Education and an MFA in Book Arts/Printmaking, both from the University of the Arts. She has taught studio art courses and seminars to various populations and is a working artist. Elman has artwork in numerous public and private collections.

Sheila Watts

Associate Dean, Continuing Studies

SWATTS@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6096

Sheila Watts earned her BFA in Fine Arts from Parsons, The New School for Design and her BA in Psychology from Eugene Lang College, The New School for Liberal Studies. While in New York, she worked for the education departments of the Guggenheim Museum and Dia Center for the Arts. Watts also has an MS degree in Arts Administration from Drexel University and has been working in higher education for the last nine years. An article from her master’s thesis "Identification and the Cultural Organization" was published in the September 2010 issue of the Journal of Arts Management, Law & Society.

Melissa DiGiacomo

Director of Operations, Continuing Studies

MDIGIACOMO@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6089

Melissa DiGiacomo joined Pre-College Programs as Assistant Director in 2002. She received her BFA in Photography from the Corcoran School of Art in Washington, D.C., and an MFA, also in Photography, from Savannah College of Art and Design in Georgia. DiGiacomo previously worked as a Marketing Coordinator for American Psychiatric Publishing, Inc. and was also a staff member in the photography department at the Smithsonian Institute Air and Space Museum. She currently teaches photography to undergraduate students at the University of the Arts, and her work has been exhibited in several galleries in Georgia, New Jersey and Washington, D.C.

Gehia Davenport

Data Coordinator, Continuing Studies

GDAVENPORT@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6539

Gehia Davenport has been employed with the University of the Arts since 1995. She holds a BFA in Dance Education from the University of the Arts. Shortly after graduation, she became a member of The Company Grace, which led her to an instructor role at the Amos Playground Recreation Center’s dance program. Gehia became the organization’s Director of Dance Programs in 1999. In 2002, she opened the doors of her namesake, non-profit establishment entitled Gehia’s School of Dance.

Davenport is an instructor and community advocate at heart. She has taught youths and adults in various Pennsylvania establishments such as Progressive Center for Dance, Wissahickon Dance Academy and Porter’s Daycare. She has guest choreographed and danced for the following non-profit organizations: Summit Presbyterian Liturgical Dance Group, Upper Room and Beloved Baptist Church. She has graced the stage of gospel recording headliner, Byron Cage, within the Breaking Chain Foundation event in 2010. Gehia currently leads the Women’s Dance and Fitness and Teen Dance Ministries within her church affiliation, New Hope Temple Baptist Church, where she introduced the art of dance within worship in 1995.

Kaitlynd O'Doherty

Communications Assistant + Library of Congress Teaching with Primary Sources Administrative Assistant, Continuing Studies

KODOHERTY@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6098

Kaitlynd O’Doherty earned her BA in Art History from Boston University.  While at BU, she interned at the Boston Center for the Arts and co-founded the only entirely student run gallery at the university. Additionally, she has interned at several non-profit arts organizations in New York including the New York Foundation for the Arts and the Joan Mitchell Foundation. Since moving to the Philadelphia area, she has enjoyed exploring the local arts community and continues to explore her interest in Arts Administration.

Beth Pannell

Director of Communications, Continuing Studies

BPANNELL@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6093

Beth Nicewonger Pannell has a BS in Mass Communication from the University of Evansville, with a concentration in Journalism and a minor in Studio Art. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Emerson College and specializes in creative nonfiction. Currently developing her master’s thesis into a memoir book project and writing both flash fiction and flash nonfiction, Pannell spends free time writing for her blog. She also teaches Writing for the University of the Arts Continuing Education program.

Sarah Pater

Assistant to the Dean + Development Coordinator, Continuing Studies

SPATER@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6370

Sarah Pater is a graduate of Boston University where she received a BFA in Painting with minors in Printmaking and Art History. At BU, Pater worked in the Student Activities Office and co-founded an entirely student-run gallery at the university. Pater has exhibited her paintings, prints and installations in Boston, Philadelphia and elsewhere. She also coordinates Continuing Studies exhibitions on the 9th floor of Terra Hall.  

Jewel Santiago

Data Manager, Continuing Studies

JSANTIAGO@UARTS.EDU | 215.717.6006

Jewel Santiago is a graduate of Berean Institute where she received a degree in Computer Science and Business Administration. She has been with the University of the Arts for 15 years.