Jordan Steves

Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education

Education — Programming
Executive Team

About Jordan

I manage and provide leadership for the iconic Chautauqua Lecture Series (CLS), Chautauqua’s signature program presented each weekday morning of our Summer Assembly on the historic Amphitheater platform, and also oversee the Chautauqua Literary Arts (including the legacy of the Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle, or CLSC), the beloved Smith Memorial Library, the Chautauqua Institution Archives, plus all CLS speaker and lecture-focused events such as master classes and partnerships.

I began at Chautauqua full-time in 2009, first as the lecture associate within the Department of Education before moving to the Marketing and Communications department in 2014 as director of communications and then strategic communications. My first Chautauqua experience was in 2007 as an intern with The Chautauquan Daily. I had the privilege years later to serve as the newspaper’s editor from 2014 to 2017.

Why did you choose to work at Chautauqua? What do you like about working at Chautauqua?

I chose to work at Chautauqua because I love how broadly and diversely it lives into its mission, and I care deeply about stewarding this good and important work so that it has lasting impact. What I like most about working at Chautauqua, besides having access to world-class programs and astonishingly talented and smart people, is the collegiality of our staff — we all are enthusiastic participants in this mission and we do whatever is necessary to ensure each other’s success.

Current and Former Volunteer or Board Roles

Regionally, I serve on the volunteer boards of the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County, the Westfield Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Arts Services Inc., based in Buffalo. I previously served as the Institution’s representative on the board of the Mayville-Chautauqua Community Chamber of Commerce.

Personal Interests

Biking/cycling, skiing, running, hiking, reading, binging good TV, road trips, craft beer