NORTHERN
A NEW INSTITUTION
OF ART & TECHNOLOGY
Discover what we’re building
in the north
by scrolling
south
The north is where creativity grows free
At Northern, we believe that students’ objectives can best be achieved by providing learners with opportunities to expand their knowledge, explore new concepts, and reflect on their experiences. The Growth Mindset model is critical in leading our students toward leadership roles, but we strive to take it a step further. Our aim is to foster a 'Creative Growth Mindset', which encourages creative expression, imagination, and perseverance in all areas of life, including problem-solving, project management, personal and professional growth. We incorporate this philosophy into everything we do, ensuring that our students are equipped with the skills and mindset required to succeed.
Advertising & Branding
Instructional & Experience
Design
Immersive Entertainment
Web, Digital, and Mobile
Artificial Intelligence
Extended Reality
Animation & Gaming
Data
Visualization
Human
Factors
Areas of study that reflect New England’s growth sectors
In an era defined by constant technological advancements and ever-evolving communication platforms, the study of new media has never been more critical. Our vision is to establish a state-of-the-art institute, where students can explore the intersections of technology, creativity, and communication. At this place of experimentation and creativity, they will develop the skills and insights required to excel in our digital-forward world.
Degrees for
Working Designers
Educating working students is a challenge.
Northern doesn’t shy away from challenges.
When it comes to developing a growth mindset, face-to-face interaction is critical in forming connections. Northern has designed a program that introduces foundational knowledge online, asynchronously, allowing students the flexibility to prepare at their own pace. However, to gain deeper insights and perspectives, course material is expanded on during in-person immersions, allowing students to learn and grow through collaboration and interaction. Our model can buck the trend and ensure that working students become working graduates.
“Students who work while enrolled in college are about 20% less likely to complete their degrees than similar peers who don’t work... Recent estimates show that 43% of full-time students and 81% of part-time students work while enrolled in college.”
B.A., Mass Communications
magna cum laude
Franklin Pierce University
M.B.A.
Western Governors University
Leadership
Jesica Garrou
Jesica M. Garrou MBA is the founding chief executive officer at Northern. Jesica's passion for the arts is evident in everything she does. She is a strong advocate for the role of the arts in society and believes that they have the power to transform lives.
Garrou has two decades of experience in instructional design and strategy in education, corporate, and creative industries. She studied at the prestigious National Theater Institute in Waterford, Connecticut, and Stratford-upon-Avon in England. She has worked on a wide range of productions from Portland to off-Broadway shows in New York City. Her expertise in both the creative and business aspects of theater make her a sought-after consultant and mentor for aspiring producers. She currently works with the League of Professional Theatre Women in New York City serving Broadway producers to independent artists to seeking equity and opportunity; she also sits on the advisory board for Southern Maine Community College’s Communications and New Media program.
She is the mother of a high schooler and a member of the Yarmouth School Committee. She loves to ski, bike and take in the great Maine outdoors. She will never own a boat but she will never turn down an offer to ride in someone else's.
Leadership
Christopher Perry
Christopher Perry is the chief academic officer at Northern. A freelance designer and consultant, he focuses on how design can improve access, interaction, and engagement.
Prior to joining Northern, he served as a licensing officer for an international publishing company. He is a member of the Licensing Executives Society and a J.D. candidate at the University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law.
A native of New Hampshire, Perry moved to Maine in his teens and has been around, more or less, ever since. You can find him at Maine Celtics games or just about anywhere that serves a good cup of coffee.
B.A., History & Political Science summa cum laude
University of Maine, Presque Isle
J.D. Candidate
University of New Hampshire
The north is calling. Answer.
inquiries@northerncat.org
Northern is a project to establish a new institution for arts and technology higher education. Northern is not authorized by the State of Maine to grant credits or degrees at this time.