About Our

History

Since 1947

Learn More About our History and our team at SIBA!

If you’re thinking about higher education, Siba’s small class sizes, individual attention, and expert instructors can help you develop the skills today’s employers seek in graduates. We strive to make our community accessible to students of all backgrounds by offering a variety of financial aid options. Since our establishment in 1947, we have been dedicated to strengthening our region with a committed presence downtown and exceptional graduates.

Stevens - The Institute of Business & Arts (Siba) got its start in 1947 as Patricia Stevens, a modeling and finishing school for women. And although we have always been located in downtown St. Louis, we are proud to have moved to our permanent campus in the historic garment district on Washington Avenue in 2010. Over the years, the college has grown and evolved with the times. In the 1980's we became co-educational, and in 2008 we added Bachelors degree programs to our offerings. Among our longest-running programs are Fashion Development & Merchandising, Business, and Interior Design, all of which have undergone curriculum updates and program title changes over the years as technology and demand changed. Our more recent program addition of Graphic Design (2016) also undergoes constant evaluation to remains viable for today's employers. Stevens - The Institute of Business & Arts became our new name when we moved to our current home at 1521 Washington Avenue - the school's first permanent campus. The 25,000 square foot building underwent a $2 million dollar renovation that was designed specifically for our small classes and program needs. The building's rich history in St. Louis' Garment District harkens back to 1917 when it was constructed for the George E. Keefe shoe factory.

Our Faculty & Staff

Cynthia Musterman

Cindy Musterman

President
Ms. Musterman started with the college in 1995 as an adjunct instructor and later served as Evening School Dean and Career Services Director before becoming President in 1999. She holds a J.D. from Washington University School of Law, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Arizona State University.
Emilee Schnefke

Emilee Schnefke

Academic Dean & Registrar
Dr. Schnefke holds an Ed.D in Instructional Leadership/Higher Education Administration, a Master of Science in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Dr. Schnefke has been with the college since 2007, working first in admissions and then as a full-time instructor before assuming her current administrative duties. She loves the classroom, however, and still finds time to teach some general studies and business classes.
Steve Asher

Steve Asher

Career Services Director
Mr. Asher holds a law degree from the University of Missouri - Kansas City, and a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. In addition to heading Siba’s Career Services Department, Mr. Asher teaches business and general studies classes.
Chrissa Siampos

Chrissa Siampos

Financial Aid Director
Mrs. Siampos holds an MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and was employed at Boeing for twelve years. She also holds a B.S. in Computer Engineering and Electrical Engineering from the University of Missouri – Columbia.
Ratesha Nicholson

Ratesha Nicholson

Department Head
Business Administration
Ms. Nicholson holds a Master’s of Business Administration from Southern Illinois University–Edwardsville, and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from University of Missouri–Columbia. She has been a member of the faculty since 2004, and serves as faculty advisor to Siba’s Student Government.
Janelle Schrumpf

Janelle Schrumpf

Department Head
Interior Design
Ms. Schrumpf has worked in the field of Interior Design for more than 28 years and is affiliated with a number of industry-related trade organizations. For the past 26 years (and counting), she has maintained her own full-service design firm, Janelle Schrumpf Interiors, and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree from Purdue University and an A.A.S from the Fashion Institute of Technology. When she's not teaching or working with her clients, Ms. Schrumpf loves history, architecture, and exploring old houses.
Lynne Wasson

Lynne Wasson

Department Head
Fashion Development & Merchandising
Ms. Wasson holds a Master of Science in Vocational Education Studies and a Bachelor of Science in Clothing and Textiles from Southern Illinois University – Carbondale. She has been a member of the faculty since 1996 and is very active in the St. Louis fashion scene. She is also a current member and past officer of the St. Louis Chapter of Fashion Group International
James Bruenger - June 2024

James Bruenger

Department Head
Graphic Design
Mr. Bruenger holds a B.A. in Fine Art with a concentration in Computer Graphics from Marygrove College, Detroit, MI, and has more than 25 years of graphic design experience working in positions such as Art Director, Senior Graphic Designer, Graphics Project Manager, Manager of Technology, Graphic Department Coordinator, and Web Master. When not engaged in his love of teaching, he enjoys spending time with his wife and refining his fine art skills—especially in the area of drawing.
AK Brown

AK Brown

Full-Time Faculty
Ms. Brown holds a Master of Arts degree in Communications from Lindenwood University, as well as BA and AAS degrees in Retail Management/Fashion Merchandising from Stevens - The Institute of Business & Arts. Her success as a fashion entrepreneur and influencer spans more than 10 years and includes blogging, marketing, styling, education, media relations, PR, and non-profit initiatives.
DanielleSullivan

Danielle Sullivan

Admissions Coordinator
Mrs. Sullivan joined the Siba family in 2019 as a student in Business Administration, elevating her experience as a travel industry executive. During her sabbatical, Mrs. Sullivan followed her passion for community engagement and joined the Siba Admissions team full-time in 2022. She is enriched as a musician and hoop dance instructor, serving as an ambassador for local performing arts organizations.
Brad Boyer - June 2024

Brad Boyer

Student Services Coordinator - Financial Aid
Mr. Boyer is a college graduate with more than 10 years of experience working in higher education Admissions and Financial Aid. In his free time, he pursues his love of music by playing the guitar and deejaying in local venues in the St. Louis region.
Alisha Brown

Alisha Brown

Front Desk Manager
Ms. Brown holds a BA from the University of Iowa. Alisha has been with Siba since June 2024 and she has the smiling face and cheerful voice that most visitors first see and hear when they visit or call our campus.

Adjunct Professors

In addition to our highly qualified full-time faculty members, Siba employs several gifted and dedicated adjunct instructors, most of whom work full-time and/or maintain businesses and practices in their respective fields of expertise.

We are always on the lookout for knowledgeable professionals with expertise in the subjects we teach. If you’re interested in being considered for a future adjunct position, please submit your resume and cover letter to resume@siba.edu.

Women looking at design books

Accreditation

Stevens-The Institute of Business & Arts is proud to be accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges (ACCSC), a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency recognized by the U. S. Department of Education.

Accreditation assures students that an institution has met the standards of a respected voluntary peer review process. The integrity and honesty of an institution is fundamental and critical to the process, thus accreditation serves as an indication of institutional quality. Accredited schools agree to, and must meet or exceed, the ACCSC Standards of Accreditation. Siba employs professional faculty, offers facilities and equipment to the public designed to meet the educational objectives of the institution, and ensures that the financial and organizational structure of the school has stability and permanence in the educational community.

Military Students

It has always been important to us to honor the commitment and courage of our veterans and first responders. As a VA-approved institution, Siba has been working to meet the educational needs of our citizens who have served in the armed forces since the institution was established. We understand the sacrifices our veterans make to ensure our freedoms and are proud to offer a variety of benefits to them.

We also work to accommodate the needs of students who may be called to duty during their time at Siba. Students will not lose credits because of deployment and, if possible, can pick up where they left off in the curriculum after returning home. We accept transfer credits earned during training, as well as ACE credits. Military students are also exempted from our $25 application fee, our textbook and campus technology fee, and their graduation fees are included in tuition. Those benefits extend to First Responders and their dependents as well. See our Military Benefits page for more details.

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