Degrees/Classes Course Catalog & Schedule Undergraduate Degrees Graduate Degrees Continuing Art Education Liberal Arts Home Graduate Liberal Arts Home Foundations Scholarships Pre-College Programs Library & Academic Support
Disclosures About WASC Accreditation
AAU Home > Degrees
  Eileen Everett
Director of Liberal Arts

Eileen M. Everett has been with the Academy of Art University since 1999 and has directed the Liberal Arts Department since 2003. Eileen earned her BA in Art History at Indiana University’s Henry Radford Hope School of Fine Arts and her MA from the University of California, Santa Barbara in the History of Art and Architecture where her Master’s Thesis on 18th Century French Painting was received with Honors. In addition to her duties as Director, Eileen teaches Art History courses and coordinates the Art History curriculum and faculty.
  Craig Griffeath
Music & Visual Arts Coordinator     

Craig Griffeath holds a Bachelor's degree in Physics with a minor in Music Composition and Theory from Haverford College and a Master's in Humanities/Art History from Dominican University of California. He also has a certificate in Western Art Education from the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco, where he has been a member of the Docent Council since 1992.  Craig has been performing and teaching music professionally for more than twenty-five years, and has over seventy-five album credits as a player, engineer, and producer. Craig has been an instructor at the Academy of Art University since 1995, and to date has taught thirteen different subjects in the Academy's Liberal Arts Department.
  David C. Riffert
Graduate Studies Coordinator     

David has 20 years of teaching experience. His articles have been featured in print and publications. Colleges that David has taught at include The Pennsylvania State University, Principia College, and The Academy of Art University. David received his BA in History and Art History from Principia College in 1986, and earned his MA in Art History from The Pennsylvania State University in 1992. David also coordinates the Liberal Arts Study Abroad Program and has traveled to Europe numerous times with Academy students.
 
Michael Leitch
Math and Science Coordinator

Michael has been an enthusiastic instructor for fifteen years. He attended the University of Washington and the Evergreen State College, earning a B.S. in physics in 1986. He is a FAA licensed flight instructor and commercial pilot. He is also a working actor, receiving the Bay Guardian's performance of the year award in 2001. He received a MA in math and science education from UC Berkeley in 2007. While at UC Berkeley, Michael was a graduate student instructor for the popular course, Physics for Future Presidents.  Michael began teaching math and science part-time at the Academy of Art University in 1998. He is currently the math/science coordinator, and continues to enjoy teaching both onsite and online.

 		 Ellen Supple
Business Coordinator

Ellen Supple has been an educator for over twenty years and brings experience in program development and delivery as well as in nonprofit management.  A former Director with the Academy, Ellen now acts as full time Liberal Arts faculty and coordinates our writing and business course offerings.  Ellen holds an MFA in Creative Writing/Short Fiction and has recently completed a novel.

 		 Kelly Holt
English Coordinator

Kelly has taught English Composition and World Literature at Academy of Art University since 2005. She has also taught Literature and Creative Writing at UC Santa Cruz and San Francisco State University. Kelly earned her Ph.D. in Literature at the University of California at Santa Cruz. She also holds a M.A. in Literature, a M.F.A. in Creative Writing, and a double B.A. in Literature and American Studies.