About Us

Our Leadership

Chris Visslailli

President

Chris Visslailli believes the future belongs to creative people who can adapt, collaborate, think critically, and bring humanity into an increasingly technology driven world.

With more than two decades of experience across the university, he brings a deep understanding of the institution’s academic mission as well as the operational and strategic leadership required to support it.

As President, Mr. Visslailli works closely with the Board of Directors, faculty, staff, and university leadership to strengthen the institution while expanding opportunities for students pursuing careers in the creative industries. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to academic excellence, student success, innovation, and thoughtful institutional stewardship.

Under his leadership, the university has advanced initiatives focused on student persistence, retention, and degree completion while continuing to evolve alongside a rapidly changing creative landscape. This includes expanding academic pathways and launching innovative degree programs such as an MA & BA in Artificial Intelligence for Marketing & Design, positioning the university among the first art and design institutions in the nation to offer AI focused degrees.

Chris has also emphasized operational discipline, financial sustainability, and long term institutional planning to ensure the university remains strong, adaptable, and positioned for continued success.

He believes creative education has the power to change the trajectory of students’ lives and shape the industries they will go on to lead.

Chris Visslailli President of Academy of Art University San Francisco California

Dr. Elisa Stephens

Chief Executive Officer

Dr. Elisa Stephens stepped into the role of Chief Executive Officer in 2026. Prior to that she served as President of the Academy since 1992. She represents the third generation of the Stephens family to lead the school since her grandparents founded it in 1929.

Under her leadership, the university has expanded its distinctive, career-focused art and design programs and built a state-of-the-industry campus in downtown San Francisco, supported by advanced technology and a thriving online global presence.

More than 25 years ago, Dr. Stephens pioneered the Academy’s proprietary online education platform for art and design. Today, she has expanded that vision with hybrid classes that enable students around the world to study alongside classmates on campus, using the technology and creative tools located in the Academy’s San Francisco studios.

She recently launched AI-driven BA and MA programs in Marketing and Advertising and has expanded AI teaching across the university’s schools, which now offer close to 20 courses with AI at their core.

Dr. Stephens is active in national and local organizations, including the Council on Competitiveness in Washington, D.C., Vistage International, the Rotary Club of San Francisco, Young Presidents’ Organization, and the San Francisco Opera Guild. She is also a Smithsonian National Board alumna, having served from 2014 to 2017.

She earned her B.A. in Political Science from Vassar College and her J.D. from the University of San Francisco, where she became a member of the California Bar Association. She also completed the Foundations curriculum at Academy of Art University.

Dr. Elisa Steohens headshot (2024)

Dr. Richard A. Stephens

Richard and Clara’s son, Dr. Richard A. Stephens, moved into the role of President in 1951, and his guidance led to the expansion from 50 students to more than 5,000, with significant expansion of department majors. In 1966 the school was incorporated and granted authority to offer a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Art by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary and Vocational Education of the State of California. The graduate program was inaugurated in 1977 and approved by 1983.

Dr. Richard A. Stephens

Richard S. Stephens

The Academy of Art College was established in San Francisco in 1929 by Richard S. Stephens, a fine art painter and Creative Director for Sunset Magazine. Assisted by his wife, Mrs. Clara Stephens, he opened the new school in a rented loft at 215 Kearny St. to teach advertising art. Within a few years, a distinguished faculty of practicing art and design professionals helped formulate the school’s philosophy—hire established professionals to teach future professionals. In 1933 the curriculum was expanded to include fashion illustration, and in 1936 a fine art department was added.

Richard S. Stephens