Jerome holds a bachelor of music degree in music business from the Crane School of Music at SUNY Potsdam; a master of arts in arts policy and administration, and a doctor of philosophy in art education with a concentration in cultural policy and administration, both from The Ohio State University. Currently a professor of Arts and Humanities at the University of Houston-Downtown, he has previously worked for Ash Lawn Opera and the Lake George Music Festival. His research work has focused on the use of outreach programs and public value by non-profit organizations, as well as interactions between non-profit and for-profit entities.