Press Release Archives | ��ר��

Shannon McPartlon Named Assistant Vice President of Partnerships at ��ר��

Isabella McLaury — Tue, 23 Jun 2026 13:00:06 +0000

Longtime partnerships leader to head the ��ר�� Office of Partnerships as the new Assistant Vice President

Shannon McPartlon, a 20-year ��ר�� leader, has been named Assistant Vice President of Partnerships.

In her new role, McPartlon will work closely with Vice President Olga Stella to expand strategic initiatives and external partnerships that support the College’s strategic plan and financial success. She will continue to lead the recently expanded Office of Partnerships, which now includes Event Operations, Speakers and Exhibitions and Exhibition Services.

“Shannon’s expertise and leadership come at a crucial time, when higher education continues to be disrupted by external forces,” said Don Tuski, President of ��ר��. “Serving as a key external ambassador to create career opportunities for students across all of our majors, Shannon will work in collaboration with academic department chairs and internal stakeholders to connect industry trends and needs to new and current programs and initiatives that will bolster the College’s business model, positioning and revenue generation.”

Throughout her 20-year career at ��ר��, McPartlon has managed over 400 industry partnerships, engaging more than 3,000 students, faculty and staff. She has played a critical role in evolving the College’s approach to experiential learning to include more opportunities for students and established the Practicing Design Center in partnership with faculty. Her facilitation of for-credit internships, on-campus recruiting events and launching strategies to increase exposure for students has empowered students to gain hands-on experience and enhance their career readiness.

“I am incredibly honored and energized by the opportunity to take on this expanded role,” said Shannon McPartlon, Associate Vice President of Partnerships. “My primary goal in this new role is to forge strategic, high-level partnerships that directly connect industry trends and needs with new academic opportunities, bolstering the college’s business model and global positioning. I look forward to applying my experience to further scale our strategic initiatives and help secure the future success of ��ר��.”

To learn more about the Office of Partnerships, please visit /office-of-partnerships/.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES

The ��ר�� (��ר��) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. ��ר��, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. ��ר�� fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

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��ר�� Announces New Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft

Megan Mesack — Tue, 09 Jun 2026 11:00:24 +0000

��ר�� alumna and Trustee Molly Valade and her husband Mark Valade established the Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft.

The ��ר�� (��ר��) is thrilled to announce a commitment to endow the position of Chair of Studio Art & Craft. The Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft will ensure ongoing support for the College’s Studio Art & Craft Department, one of ��ר��’s most historic programs.

This transformative commitment reflects ��ר�� alumna and Trustee Molly Valade’s deep connection to and belief in the legacy and importance of the Studio Art & Craft program, as well as her enduring belief in the power of a ��ר�� education. Molly graduated from ��ר��’s Fine Arts program (now Studio Art & Craft) and has served on the College’s Board of Trustees since 2008, in addition to serving on ��ר��’s alumni council for 13 years. Over the years, her engagement with students, faculty, and staff has strengthened the program’s creative and academic environment, and this gift will ensure that impact continues into the future.

“Studio Art & Craft has been at the heart of ��ר�� for more than a century,” said Don Tuski, President of the ��ר��. “The establishment of this endowed chair will help ensure the department continues to evolve, inspire new generations of artists and makers, and expand opportunities for innovative studio practice well into the future.”

Founded in 1906, ��ר��, then The Society of Arts & Crafts, integrated rigorous courses with the progression of the art and design movements and world-class, contemporary exhibitions. Since its inception, the Studio Art & Craft program has carried on this tradition while continually building on this foundation and legacy. In 2026, the program is still rooted in traditional techniques, now enhanced by contemporary processes and innovative technologies. The department currently enrolls undergraduate students exploring the disciplines of Ceramics, Drawing, Fibers and Textiles, Fine Arts, Glass, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Painting, Performance, Print Media, Sculpture, Digital Fabrication and Digital Media.

Under the leadership of Department Chair Valerie Jenkins, Studio Art & Craft continues to foster rigorous studio practice and distinct creative voices. The creation of the Valade Family Endowed Chair will further elevate that work, strengthening the program’s impact and vitality, ensuring its continued growth.

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��ר�� Announces Esteemed Group of Honorary Degree Recipients

Isabella McLaury — Thu, 21 May 2026 18:58:12 +0000

��ר�� Announces Esteemed Group of Honorary Degree Recipients

Detroit, MI – ��ר�� is proud to announce its 2026 honorary degree recipients: Dustin Yellin, artist and the founder and director of Pioneer Works; Moray Callum, automotive designer; Lynn Alandt, president of the Benson and Edith Ford Fund; and Paul Mobley, portrait photographer. Yellin also delivered the commencement address for the graduating class of 2026.

Dustin Yellin tells stories that weave together the diverse forces of nature and technology. Through his multidisciplinary body of work, which includes object making, painting, animation, and institute building, Yellin draws attention to the interconnectivity of all beings and things. His approach tunnels across traditionally siloed fields so as to crystallize the idea that both the human world, and all other worlds around us, are a collection of enmeshed networks – even if many are hidden. Yellin’s glass works in particular, in which paint and images clipped from various print media are embedded within laminated glass sheets to form grand pictographic allegories, invite viewers to engage with the legions of their own consciousness and its embodied emotions, as well as that of our collective society and its infrastructures. Yellin is the founder and director of Pioneer Works, a multidisciplinary cultural center that builds community through the arts and sciences. The artist balances descriptive poetry with a prescriptive social practice so as to span new ways of seeing and being, and build a bridge to a more holistic world.

Yellin lives in Brooklyn, New York. His artwork has been exhibited at Brooklyn Museum, Amorepacific Museum, Leeum Museum, Museo Del Palacio de Bellas Artes, SCAD Museum of Art, The Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts, City Museum, Colección Solo, Corning Museum of Glass, and with Creative Time, amongst many others. Yellin is often featured in diverse media ranging from the New York Times to Artforum, Vanity Fair, and TED. He holds an Honorary Doctor of Humane Letters from the Savannah College of Art and Design.

Dustin Yellin delivers the commencement address to the graduating class of 2026.

A respected automotive designer from Dumfries, Scotland, Moray S. Callum graduated from Napier University with a degree in industrial design and earned a master’s degree in transportation design from the Royal College of Art in London. His design career began when working for Chrysler Corporation UK and PSA Peugeot Citroën on passenger/commercial vehicles. He joined Ghia SpA as a consultant designer, where his work sparked interest from the Ford company. This ultimately led to a role in Dearborn, Michigan, on North American vehicles such as the 2000 Ford Taurus and the last generation of Ford Super Duty pickups. He relocated to Japan to work for Mazda, then a Ford subsidiary, designing sports cars, contributing notable models like the MX-5 sports car and the CX-7 crossover.

Eventually, he became executive director of design for Ford’s Americas studios. Moray Callum’s successes include the new Ford Fusion, Explorer, Mustang, EcoSport and Lincoln MKZ. Ultimately, Callum was promoted to vice president of design at Ford Motor Company, taking responsibility for all concept and production vehicles for the Ford and Lincoln brands globally, unveiling the 2015 sixth-generation Ford Mustang and the 2017 second-generation Ford GT. Additionally, Callum serves on the ��ר�� Board of Trustees.

Moray Callum speaks to the graduating class of 2026.

Lynn Alandt

Lynn Alandt is a civic leader and the president of the Benson and Edith Ford Fund. Alandt has served on the ��ר�� Board of Trustees for more than 25 years and currently serves as the vice chair of the board. She also serves as the board chair for the Eleanor and Edsel Ford House. Additionally, Alandt is trustee emeritus for The Henry Ford Museum and has served on the board of directors for Henry Ford Health System. She is a strong supporter of ��ר�� and the arts community in and around Detroit.

Paul Mobley is an American portrait photographer celebrated for creating intimate, timeless images that reveal the personality and spirit of his subjects. His commercial work spans corporate, editorial, and advertising photography, with clients ranging from major brands such as Apple, Microsoft, Ford, and American Express to celebrities and entertainers in film, comedy, and music. His portraiture is known for its emotional depth and authenticity, achieved through his ability to quickly connect with people from all walks of life. Mobley trained at ��ר�� in Detroit and then moved to New York City, where he studied portraiture and assisted renowned photographers, including Annie Leibovitz and David Langley, before launching his own career.

In addition to commercial assignments, Mobley is widely recognized for his long-form personal projects and photography books. His first major project, American Farmer, became a touring exhibition and book that captured the lives of U.S. farmers and traveled for seven years, reaching over 500,000 people. Other notable projects include Everyday Heroes — portraits of Americans dedicated to helping others; If I Live to Be 100 — intimate portraits of centenarians from all 50 states; and American Firefighter — portraits and stories of firefighters across the country.

Paul Mobley displays his honorary degree alongside President Don Tuski.

“This year’s honorary degree recipients are incredible leaders across a diverse range of industries,” said Don Tuski, President of ��ר��. “We are thrilled to honor Dustin, Moray, Lynn and Paul, who offer invaluable support and insight into the art and design world.”

The College’s commencement ceremony took place on May 14, 2026, to honor the graduating class of 2026. Yellin, Callum, Alandt and Mobley join a distinguished list of recent honorary degree recipients, including automotive design leader Michael Simcoe, architect Suchi Reddy, and artist Kevin Beasley, among others.

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��ר�� Presented The Show 2026 at Somerset Collection

Isabella McLaury — Fri, 01 May 2026 19:55:22 +0000

“Future Fantastic” showcased emerging designers shaping fashion through material, narrative, and form

DETROIT, MI – The ��ר�� (��ר��) Fashion Design Program presented The Show 2026 on Sunday, April 26, at the Skywalk at Somerset Collection. The annual runway show brought together industry leaders, tastemakers, and the creative community for an evening of new work from emerging designers.

The Show featured over 100 looks from junior and senior students in apparel and accessories design. The evening included a VIP reception followed by the runway presentation at 8 p.m. Collections by Senior Designers Izzy Abohasira, Mar Bissada, Hayden Brice, Maxwell Honeycutt, Falina Jimerson, Griffin Mesner, Sarah Nofar, Ryan Putnam, Veronica Wardowski, and Emma Wisler, and Junior Designers Quade Feller, Luka Gallé, Santino Giglio, Bryn Hazen, Athan Hillman, Megan Hotchkiss, Sophia Jensen, Lilly Steele, and Bryce Truby, explored personal narrative, cultural history, and speculative futures, blending traditional craftsmanship with advanced fabrication.

The event welcomed 354 guests. Notable attendees included Chuck Bennett, Fox 2 News Style Ambassador; Stephanie Chang, Michigan State Senate; Diana Costescu, Tapestry; Stuart McMillan, Banana Republic; Millie de La Valette, Louis Vuitton; Owen Davenport, General Motors; Gretchen Davidson, Former Chair of the National Council of Arts and Culture; Ben Ewy, Carhartt; Ralph Gilles, Stellantis and ��ר�� Board of Trustees; Danialle Karmanos, Mad Dog Technology and ��ר�� Board of Trustees; Simion Kayiwa, Hermès; Drew Little, Fear of God; Donald Manvel, ��ר�� Board of Trustees; Barbara May, B. May Bags; Heaven Montero, LITO; Silvia Prada, Kate Spade; Tracy Reese, Hope for Flowers; Tiffadelic, Artist; Tiff Massey, Artist; Mario Moore, Artist; Ken Walker, K. Walker Collective; Ash Hanson, Nike; and Chris Webb, General Motors.

This year’s theme, “Future Fantastic,” focused on the intersection of contemporary fashion and forward-looking design. Drawing on the material language of contemporary runway and the cinematic minimalism of Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, the presentation created an environment defined by light, reflection, and precision.

“We’ve created a kind of laboratory for fashion at ��ר��. Here, students experiment, take risks, and develop their own design language,” said Aki Choklat, Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design, ��ר��. “That same interdisciplinary approach extends across the College. New programs like our Fashion Business Management BA prepare students to meet the demands of a global, rapidly evolving industry. The Show reflects that process through collections that are highly individual, technically resolved, and grounded in innovation and making.”

The runway, designed in collaboration with ��ר��’s Interior Design department, transformed the Skywalk into a spatial installation. Suspended frames, projected light, and reflective materials defined the setting, while metallic surfaces and industrial sheeting caught and diffused light as models moved through the space.

“What better way to mark our 30th anniversary than by hosting the ��ר��’ The Show, spotlighting the next generation of fashion,” said Nate Forbes, managing partner of The Forbes Company and member of the ��ר�� Board of Trustees. “As an institution defined by vision, design, and excellence in craft, it’s only fitting that our signature skywalk becomes a runway for such a remarkable event.”

The presentation emphasized a rigorous, studio-based approach to design at ��ר��, where students develop work from concept through execution. The resulting collections were highly individual, technically resolved, and grounded in both innovation and making.

The Show continues to serve as a platform for emerging designers, connecting students with recruiters, press, and industry professionals. As Detroit’s creative ecosystem expands across design, fashion, and cultural production, the runway positions ��ר�� as a key site of talent development.

About Somerset Collection
Somerset Collection is located on the corner of Big Beaver Road and Coolidge in Troy. A 700-foot-long glass-enclosed moving skywalk spans Big Beaver, connecting Somerset North with Somerset South. Anchored by Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s, Somerset Collection is home to more than 180 stores and restaurants. Information about center or store-specific events, as well as store hours, can be found at .

Based in Southfield, Michigan, The Forbes Company () is a nationally recognized owner, developer, and manager of iconic regional shopping centers, recognized throughout their respective markets for their retail innovation, fashion leadership, distinctive architecture, and luxury appointments. In addition to Somerset Collection, these properties include: The Gardens Mall in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida; The Mall at Millenia in Orlando; and Waterside Shops in Naples, Florida.

About the ��ר��
The ��ר�� (��ר��) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Department of Education to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. ��ר��, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. ��ר��, named an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Classifications, fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, including transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

Selected Designer Collections

The collections in The Show 2026 explore identity, material, and narrative through diverse perspectives. Izzy Abohasira reimagines Western iconography, while Marwa Bissada examines love and division through the Berlin Wall. Hayden Bryce merges maritime and heritage craft, and Arturo Chaney develops a futuristic language shaped by technology and nature. Falina Jimerson builds a mythological world, while Maxwell Honeycutt reinterprets Mediterranean craft traditions. Griffin Mesner draws from Detroit’s sports history, and Sarah Nofar reflects on immigrant identity. Ryan Putnam explores the body through sport and sexuality, Veronica Wardowski channels Detroit’s industrial and musical legacy, and Emma Wisler examines performance and self-presentation.

Izzy Abohasira
Izzy Aboasira’s collection, No Country for Men, draws inspiration from spaghetti and neo-western films. It imagines a posse of outlaw women navigating the American West in the late nineteenth century. Films such as The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, Django Unchained, and Tombstone influenced the work. The eight-piece collection translates cinematic storytelling into fashion, envisioning garments repurposed from men’s clothing taken in battle. It uses traditional menswear materials like leather, fur, heavy wool, and pinstripes. The designs have distressed finishes and frayed textures that evoke the harsh realities of frontier life. Through No Country for Men, Abouasira reinterprets Western iconography to explore rebellion, survival, and female autonomy.

Marwa Bissada
Marwa Bissada’s collection, Romeo and Juliet 1989, explores love, distance, and resilience. She uses the symbolic lens of the Berlin Wall, combining this with Shakespeare’s story of star-crossed lovers. Inspired by her father’s time in Berlin, while the wall was still standing, Bissada reimagines five scenes from Romeo and Juliet–each presented as a pair of menswear and womenswear looks, for a total of 10 garments. The collection features 1980s silhouettes and highlights the emotional divide of the wall. Light, romantic materials–jersey knits, sequins, chiffon, and silk–sit alongside her signature denim. Clean construction and a modern edge balance the softness of the fabrics, offering a contemporary interpretation of love enduring across borders.

Hayden Bryce
Hayden Bryce’s collection, Harborlands, draws from London’s canal boat culture and the northern Michigan landscape, reflecting the designer’s connection to both regions. This six-look collection merges British maritime influences with American heritage style. Apparel, footwear, and bags are constructed using traditional shoemaking and leatherworking techniques. Materials such as distressed canvas, braided leather, and rugged hardware establish the utilitarian character of life on the water. Sweaters, hand-knit by the Black Sheep Knitters Guild, further highlight the craft emphasis. Harborlands weaves together nautical references and heritage techniques, creating designs shaped by place, material, and personal history.

Arturo Cheney
Arturo Chaney’s collection, Subsystem, explores a personal vision of futurism, shaped by imagination, that focuses on the intersection of technology and nature. Influences include video games, science fiction films, and the futuristic design language of the 1990s. Drawing inspiration from Syd Mead and Robert Valli, Chaney creates fluid forms that evoke both biological structures and advanced technologies. The eight-piece collection features sculptural accessories shaped by extensive 3D modeling and CAD processes. Boots, bags, eyewear, and harnesses are crafted in leather, steel, and silver—mainly in white and gray. Through Subsystem, Chaney imagines a speculative future of safety, inclusivity, and new forms of identity.

Falina Jimerson
Falina Jimerson’s collection, TYTO, tells a story rooted in worldbuilding, imagining a society shaped by owls. This six-look collection introduces archetypal characters–a royal, a doctor, an assassin–each representing a role within a fictional revolution inspired by owl mythology and the narrative world of Owls of Ga’Hoole. Garments are constructed from natural materials such as wool, silk, and linen, with draping, pleating, embroidery, and feather elements referencing owl anatomy and movement. Airbrushed burn marks and distressed details suggest conflict and transformation, while elegant silhouettes unify the narrative-driven designs. Through TYTO, Dimerson explores how fashion can serve as a vehicle for symbolism, character, and speculative storytelling.

Maxwell Honeycutt
Maxwell Honeycutt’s collection, Sabiha Mati, draws on his Maltese and Greek cultural heritage to reinterpret Mediterranean craft traditions. The collection’s name combines the Maltese word for “beautiful” and the Mediterranean symbol of the evil eye, exploring themes of beauty and protection rooted in this lineage. Drawing on mosaic tiles, lace-making, and macramé, the six-look collection translates traditional techniques through modern processes, including 3D-printed fabric and laser cutting. Silk organza and chiffon dominate the construction, emphasizing texture, movement, and layered craftsmanship, while experimental textiles combine symbolic Mediterranean motifs with contemporary techniques.

Griffin Mesner
Griffin Mesner’s Mesner collection draws on his lifelong connection to hockey and family, translating the sport’s history into a series of leather accessories. Inspired by Detroit and attending Red Wings games with his parents, Mesner references vintage goalie masks, early protective gear, and archival hockey materials. The six-look collection features footwear and bags made primarily from leather, treated and distressed to evoke mid-century wear through oiling, tuck marks, and raw edges. Minimal hardware keeps the focus on material and craftsmanship. Mesner combines personal memory and sports heritage to create work rooted in tradition, durability, and familial bonds. As Mesner explores Detroit’s sporting legacy, another creative perspective draws inspiration from the city’s industrial and musical heritage.

Sarah Nofar
Sarah Nofar’s collection, 13643 Deluxe Market, is inspired by her Iraqi grandmother’s immigration to Detroit and the family market named in the title. Nofar imagines how her grandmother–who dreamed of designing fashion–might have created accessories for Detroit’s Seven Mile neighborhood in the late 1960s. The designer reinterprets family and cultural history through a contemporary design lens. This seven-look collection spotlights footwear and handbags primarily in leather. Techniques include draping, lacing, embossing, and beading, each inspired by Chaldean Catholic traditions. Through 13643 Deluxe Market, Nofar merges family narrative, Detroit history, and material experimentation to honor the resilience of immigrant women.

Ryan Putnam
Ryan Putnam’s collection, Round 2, explores the intersections of sexuality, confidence, and movement, using the visual language of contemporary sportswear. Inspirations include 1980s and 1990s athletic apparel, lingerie, and Nicolas Ghesquière’s Balenciaga. The collection, comprising six looks, emphasizes the body and its expression. Stretch materials–neoprene, Lycra, spandex–contour garments closely to the body’s form. Hardware elements such as grommets, ties, and cinch cords allow for adjustable openings that reshape the silhouette. Unconventional materials, even basketball netting, challenge accepted notions of luxury. Putnam reflects on his Midwestern upbringing and personal journey toward self-expression through these designs.

Veronica Wardowski
Veronica Wardowski’s collection, City of Firsts, draws on Detroit’s legacy of innovation, exploring the city’s industrial history alongside the rise of Detroit techno. The eight-piece collection references both the 1920s automotive boom and 1990s underground music culture, merging industrial materials with architectural silhouettes inspired by the skyline. Wardowski uses leather, secondhand faux fur, chains, and metal hardware, with modular construction that allows pieces to be reconfigured. Garments feature hand-cut metal fringe, pleated corsetry, and 3D-printed rave boot heels wrapped in duct tape, evoking assembly-line aesthetics and techno’s DIY ethos. Designed to create strong silhouettes that take up space, the collection centers women’s wear as a vehicle for presence and power, while modular elements and metal “fabric” introduce movement and sound, reflecting Detroit techno’s experimental approach to making.

Emma Wisler
Emma Wisler’s collection, Who Are You When You’re Not Performing?, explores the tension between authenticity and self-presentation. Exaggerated silhouettes and visual illusion heighten this theme. Ballet and research on Venetian carnival masks influence her approach, prompting a close examination of how people amplify certain aspects to hide vulnerability. The seven-look collection is dominated by dresses in a stark black-and-white palette. Structured pleats and sculptural forms range from minimal to dramatic. Garments use polyester dupioni, crinkle crepe satin, and felt bases with taffeta lining. As each look builds in volume, the final design expands on the collection’s ideas about performance and identity.

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��ר�� Appoints Allison J. Puff as Next Provost

Isabella McLaury — Thu, 30 Apr 2026 13:00:08 +0000

Photo Credit: Ashley Story

��ר�� has named Allison J. Puff as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, effective July 15, 2026.

###DETROIT, Mich., April 30, 2026 – The ��ר�� (��ר��) has named Allison J. Puff as Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, the institution’s chief academic officer. Puff brings a distinguished record of academic leadership, most recently serving as Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs and Interim Co-President at the Kansas City Art Institute (KCAI).

Puff is an educator and academic leader who has spent her career at the intersection of creative practice and higher education. She is recognized for her ability to navigate institutional change, align academic priorities with strategic enrollment and retention strategies, and champion inclusive student-centered practices. As ��ר��’s Provost, Puff will lead the institution’s academic vision, strategy, and operations, overseeing all degree-granting majors, academic departments, and student success resources.

��ר�� President Don Tuski shared, “The ��ר�� community is thrilled to have Allison Puff join ��ר�� as Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. Allison brings an amazing array of skills and abilities to ��ר�� at a critical time for us. I am looking forward to working with her on many initiatives.”

At KCAI, Puff co-led the institution through a strategic transition and oversaw a $13M+ academic budget. Under her leadership, KCAI achieved record enrollment for the 2024–2026 academic cycles and improved first-year fall-to-spring retention from 90.4% to 93.5%. She developed the initial vision for KCAI’s Art+Design Labs, guiding its implementation and contributing to a 450% increase in non-credit offerings. Prior to KCAI, Puff held numerous leadership roles at Farmingdale State College, the largest of the State University of New York’s (SUNY) applied science and technology colleges.

“I’m excited to join the ��ר�� at such an important moment,” said Puff. “��ר��’s commitment to access and opportunity, combined with the strength of its academic programs, creates a powerful foundation for what creative education can be. I’m looking forward to working with faculty, staff, and students to build on that momentum.”

Over the past three years, ��ר�� has aggressively expanded its mission to inspire creative potential across all backgrounds. Key initiatives include accelerated bachelor of arts programs for creative business careers, new transfer pathways, expanded experiential learning, and its Apple Academy partnership. Puff’s leadership will be instrumental in sustaining this momentum as ��ר�� enters its next phase of transformation.

Puff earned an MFA in Illustration as Visual Essay from The School of Visual Arts and undergraduate degrees in English and Communication, and Illustration. She is the recipient of the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Farmingdale Foundation Award for Excellence in Teaching, and a Faculty Leadership Award at Farmingdale State College. Her professional service has included national leadership roles with the American Institute of Graphic Arts (AIGA) National Design Educators Community and the Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum Education Board.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES

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��ר�� Unveils Winter 2026 Programming Exploring Sustainable Design and Material Innovation

Isabella McLaury — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:49:24 +0000

Seven events bring together global voices and emerging talent to examine design’s impact on people, products, and the planet.

The ��ר�� (��ר��), announces its Winter 2026 programming, a four-month series of exhibitions, lectures, and showcases exploring sustainability, material innovation, and the evolving role of designers in shaping the future. From alumni exhibitions to international collaborations, the season highlights how ��ר�� is preparing the next generation of artists and designers to integrate environmental responsibility and creative innovation across disciplines.

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Winter 2026 Programming

Valade Speaker Series: In the Realm of Lightning, Rajni Perera & Nep Sidhu

Tuesday, February 3, 2026 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Wendell W. Anderson, Jr. Auditorium (301 Frederick St)
As part of the Valade Speaker Series, ��ר�� presents an intimate look into the shared creative trajectory of artists Rajni Perera and Nep Sidhu. Drawing from their working-class migrant backgrounds, the duo explores the intersection of spiritual community and cosmic mythmaking that defined their landmark 2021 collaborative exhibition, In The Realm of Lightning. During this exchange, the artists will discuss their unique makership and the evolution of their distinctive material forms, offering insight into their practices as both individual creators and lifelong collaborators.

NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition

Friday, March 6 – Saturday, April 4, 2026 Reception: Thursday, March 26, 6–9 p.m. | Valade Family Gallery, A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education (460 W Baltimore St.)
The NCECA Juried Student Exhibition showcases innovative ceramic works by emerging artists from undergraduate, graduate, and post-baccalaureate programs across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Highlighting the next generation of ceramic talent, the exhibition celebrates creativity, technical skill, and contemporary perspectives within the field of ceramic art. The 2026 NCECA Juried Student Exhibition is in partnership with the NCECA National Conference 2026

Toyota Lecture Series Industry Exposition

Thursday, March 19, 2026 | 4:00-9:00 p.m. | Wendell W. Anderson, Jr. Auditorium (201 E Kirby)
��ר��’s popular multi-day lecture series brings nationally recognized artists and designers to Detroit for public presentations, coinciding with Industry Day, when Entertainment Arts and Illustration students showcase their graduating work to industry professionals and recruiters. The well-attended event offers public access to both established creative leaders and emerging student talent. Speakers include Rachelle Baker, Brandon Bidleman, Gian Galang, Eric Goldberg, Charlie Griak, Andrés Parada, Lydia Zanotti

Echoes: ��ר�� Alumni Voices in Clay

Friday, March 20 – Saturday, April 18, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, March 20, 5–8 p.m. | Charach Family Galleries (formerly Center Galleries) 301 Frederick St
Echoes gathers work by ��ר�� Ceramics alumni whose practices continue to expand the field of contemporary ceramics. The exhibition demonstrates how their approaches reflect both continuity and change, shaped in part by their ��ר�� education but equally by the personal experiences, cultural influences, and creative communities that inform their work today.

Woodward Lecture Series: Adebunmi Gbadebo in Conversation with Ashara Ekundayo

Tuesday, March 24, 2026 | 5:30-7 p.m. | Wendell W. Anderson, Jr. Auditorium (301 Frederick St)
Adebunmi Gbadebo’s practice engages with the histories embedded in land, material, and matter, using her work as a form of living archive. In this Woodward Lecture Series conversation with curator Ashara Ekundayo, she will explore how uncovering these traces allows her to connect with memory, ancestry, and the stories carried within the land itself. This conversation is presented in partnership with Artist As First Responder.

An Evening with Photographer Paul Mobley: In Conversation with President Don Tuski

Thursday, March 26, 2026 | 5:30-7:00 p.m. | Wendell W. Anderson, Jr. Auditorium (201 E Kirby)
��ר�� will host an evening conversation and original talk exploring the work and career of photographer Paul Mobley.

Woodward Lecture Series: Loris Gréaud

Monday, April 6th | 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | General Motors Auditorium, Taubman Center for Design Education (460 W. Baltimore)
Loris Gréaud is an internationally acclaimed artist whose practice constructs immersive environments that blur the boundaries between fiction and reality, collapsing physical and mental spaces through elements such as rumor, poetry, architecture, and self-negation. In this talk, Gréaud will discuss his broader body of work while focusing on CORTICAL, an ongoing cycle developed in collaboration with international partner institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, the Petit Palais, the MAH in Geneva, and the Théâtre du Châtelet.

2026 Student Exhibition

Friday, May 15 – Friday, May 29, 2026
Opening Reception: Friday, May 15 | ��ר�� Campus (201 E. Kirby St.)
Each year, the ��ר�� celebrates the talent and achievements of its students with the annual Student Exhibition, featuring thousands of original works across art and design disciplines. Artwork will be available for purchase, with all proceeds directly supporting the student artists as they launch their creative careers.

States in Play: MdW All Partners Exhibition

Monday, June 22 – Saturday, June 27, 2026 | Valade Family Gallery, A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education (460 W. Baltimore St)
The States in Play: MdW All Partners exhibition at the ��ר�� brings together a network of artist-run and community-centered initiatives that form the backbone of the Midwest’s independent art landscape. This exhibition foregrounds collaboration as both method and ethos—an exploration of how collective action, shared resources, and mutual support can sustain artistic practice beyond traditional institutional frameworks. Central to the presentation is the recognition of artist-led organizations working together to plan and shape MdW, emphasizing the power of cooperative organizing in building lasting cultural infrastructure. Participating partners present a constellation of approaches that reflect the region’s dynamic, interdependent creative ecology.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES

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��ר�� Launches New Online and Part-Time Graduate Academic Programs

Isabella McLaury — Fri, 17 Oct 2025 18:02:18 +0000

The ��ר�� expands its User Experience and Color & Materials Design programs to include the College’s first online and part-time graduate programs, better serving designers seeking opportunities in this growing field.

Detroit, MI, October 17, 2025 – ��ר�� (��ר��) is proud to announce the launch of new online and part-time graduate degrees in User Experience (UX) Design and Color & Materials Design (CMD). These programs are designed to make high-quality art and design education more accessible to working professionals and those seeking flexible learning options in the rapidly growing fields of UX and Color, Materials and Finish (CMF) Design.

The new offerings complement a strong portfolio of existing full-time graduate programs at ��ר��, including: Color & Materials Design (MFA), Design for Sustainability (MA/MFA), Interdisciplinary Design & Media (MA/MFA), Transportation Design (MA/MFA), and User Experience Design (MFA).

“The MPS and part-time MA curriculum additions mark a significant step in ��ר��’s commitment to accessible education,” said Carla Gonzalez, Dean of Enrollment at ��ר��. “We understand the evolving demands of today’s professional landscape, and these options were designed to provide working professionals with the cutting-edge skills they need to excel in their current and future roles. This is particularly relevant in fields like digital design, where, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of digital designers and web developers is projected to grow 8 percent from 2023 to 2033.”

The new online and part-time programming is a part of ��ר��’s graduate school:

Master of Professional Studies (MPS) User Experience Design, fully online (enrolling for Fall 2026)
Master of Arts (MA) User Experience Design, part-time in-person (enrolling for Fall 2026)
Master of Arts (MA) Color & Materials Design, part-time in-person (enrolling for Fall 2026)

With the increasing demand for UX and CMF professionals, ��ר��’s programs offer a unique pathway for individuals looking to advance their careers in design, technology, and user-centered solutions. The curriculum emphasizes ethically, socially, and environmentally responsible practices, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. Graduates will be well-prepared to enter the workforce and make an impact in the fields of User Experience (UX), User Interface (UI), Color, Materials and Finish Design (CMF) and emerging technologies.

Program Details

The MPS in UX Design is an 18-month, fully online program focused on developing skills in user-centered research, interface design, smart mobility, user testing, augmented reality, and data visualization. The program is designed for working professionals, offering an affordable and convenient option for students who need to balance their studies with life commitments.

The MA in UX Design is a two-year, part-time program that includes studio and research-based courses focusing on strategy and theory. The program foregrounds skills in design thinking, user-centered research, prototyping and communication. Here, students learn to design technologically-mediated systems, experiences, and human interactions with objects, spaces, and interfaces.

The MA in CMD is a two-year, part-time program that is the only accredited graduate-level CMF design program worldwide, attracting designers globally from the fields of product, transportation, fashion, interior, user experience, textile, and animation, as well as fine art, crafts, architecture, engineering, and the natural and social sciences. The curriculum prepares students to cultivate a mindset where forward-thinking color, material, and finish strategies are framed to connect functional and emotional meaning to products, environments, and experiences — with the understanding of user needs and preferences — across a wide range of industries.

Founded in 1906, ��ר�� has distinguished itself as one of the premier institutions of higher learning in the world for more than a century. By offering these degrees online and in a part-time format, ��ר�� is committed to breaking down barriers to education in the creative fields. ��ר�� invites prospective students to learn more about these exciting new programs and how they can enhance their careers in design. For additional information, please visit .

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES

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��ר�� Launches Apple Foundation Program, Free Coding Courses for Detroiters

Megan Mesack — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 13:46:48 +0000

The Apple Foundation Program at ��ר�� will welcome its first cohort in October 2025, offering a free introductory app development course with access to laptops and additional devices.

The ��ר�� (��ר��) is excited to launch the Apple Foundation Program, a free app development program coming to the College’s A. Alfred Taubman Center for Design Education in collaboration with Apple. This technology lab and educational program will be available in October 2025 at no cost to students and community members. Additional details are available here.

This cutting-edge program offers a series of one-month courses, with daytime and evening classes to accommodate diverse schedules. Participants will be introduced to the fundamentals of Swift, Apple’s programming language, and the principles of app design and development, helping them to expand their technology skills and foster creativity. Apple devices will be provided to participants for the duration of the program, at no additional cost.

Registration is first-come, first-served. The first cohort will welcome 15-30 participants with a minimum of eight sessions over the year. Participants must be 18 years or older, and registration is open to metro Detroit residents, no prior coding or technology experience is required to participate.

“At ��ר��, we’re excited to welcome the Apple Foundation Program to our campus and provide cutting-edge learning opportunities for our students and for metro-Detroiters looking to continue their education,” said Don Tuski, President of ��ר��. “We are always looking for new ways to activate our local community and provide them with valuable resources. Detroit is the perfect place to pilot this excellent program.”

ABOUT THE COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES
The ��ר�� (��ר��) is a nonprofit, private college accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and authorized by the Michigan Education Department to grant Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. ��ר��, located in midtown Detroit, strives to provide students with the tools needed for successful careers in the dynamic and growing creative industries. ��ר�� fosters students’ resolve to pursue excellence, act ethically, engage their responsibilities as citizens, and learn throughout their lives. With world-class faculty and unsurpassed facilities, students learn to be visual communicators who actively use art and design toward the betterment of society. The College is a major supplier of talent to numerous industries, such as transportation, film and animation, advertising and communications, consumer electronics, athletic apparel, and many more. Its graduates are exhibiting artists and teachers, design problem solvers and innovators, as well as creative leaders in business.

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Gilbert Family Foundation Doubles Scholarship Commitment to $2 Million in Support of Detroit Students Attending ��ר��

Megan Mesack — Thu, 20 Mar 2025 19:29:53 +0000

Each year two students will be selected to be awarded $50,000, to be dispersed over 4 years. Gilbert Family Foundation also announced scholarship support for pre-college summer workshops and completion scholarships aimed at retaining students.

Gilbert Family Foundation and ��ר�� (��ר��) today announced a new $1 million grant to expand the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship. This new funding is in addition to the $1 million committed by the Foundation in 2023, bringing the total endowment to $2 million.

In Fall 2024, the Gilbert Family Foundation Endowed Scholarship provided support for one ��ר�� undergraduate student. Moving forward, the fund will provide two scholarships each year, covering four years of tuition for two selected students from Detroit. To qualify, recipients must reside in Detroit, be a graduate of a Detroit-area high school and demonstrate financial need, as determined by the ��ר�� Office of Financial Aid.

“Detroit has a long history of leading the world through art, design and innovation,” said Laura Grannemann, Executive Director of the Gilbert Family Foundation. “Expanding this scholarship offers more talented students in Detroit access to the resources and opportunities needed to pursue an artistic career. These students are the next generation of creative leaders who will shape the future of Detroit’s art and design community.”

This scholarship does more than cover educational costs; it gives students the stability they need to focus on their education and artistic growth. Without financial stress, they can develop their skills, explore new creative opportunities and contribute to Detroit’s vibrant arts scene.

“This scholarship means a lot to me. It’s given me a chance to get out there in the art world and continue creating,” said Chris Romero Hernandez, GFF Scholar ’25. “It’s been my heart’s desire to work as an artist. I don’t know how to express my genuine gratitude and thanks to Gilbert Family Foundation. This scholarship means I have the chance to study and train in my craft to one day make my dreams come true.”

In addition to the endowed scholarships, Gilbert Family Foundation has also committed $50,000 for 12 pre-college scholarships in the summer of 2025, as well as $25,000 for completion scholarships to support the retention of enrolled juniors and seniors from Detroit. This comprehensive support aims to address the specific barriers Detroit students face when pursuing careers in the arts, particularly concerning financial access and early exposure.

Gilbert Family Foundation’s continued support aligns with ��ר��’s mission to create accessible and transformative educational experiences for students from our community.

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Ralph Gilles of Stellantis Named 2024 ��ר�� Commencement Speaker

Megan Mesack — Thu, 09 May 2024 20:08:44 +0000

��ר�� (��ר��) is pleased to welcome Ralph Gilles ’92 Transportation Design, Stellantis Chief Design Officer, as the honorary degree recipient and commencement speaker for the graduating class of 2024.

Gilles graduated from ��ר�� with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Transportation Design and joins a list of recent commencement speakers including Doug Chiang, Patricia Moore, Kevin Beasley ‘07, Edward T. Welburn, Jr., and Brenda Goodman ‘65.

“��ר�� will always hold a special place in my heart as it played a pivotal role in shaping my artistic foundation and helped to launch my career path. It holds a lifetime of memories and the connections I’ve formed with fellow artists have become lifelong friendships,” said Ralph Gilles, Chief Design Officer, Stellantis. “Being selected as this year’s commencement speaker and receiving an honorary degree is an overwhelming honor.”

For over three decades, Ralph Gilles has been the driving force behind some of the most iconic vehicles on the road. As the chief design officer for Stellantis, Gilles wields his creative finesse across legendary brands: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep®, Ram, Fiat (for Latin America), and Maserati.

During his tenure, Gilles also served as president and CEO of the Dodge//SRT brand and achieved three national titles, including the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver’s Championship and the 2014 IMSA TUDOR United SportsCar Championship GTLM-class driver’s, including a variety of team titles.

As a key member of the global Top Executive Team and the Stellantis Global Diversity Council, Gilles works to engineer a more inclusive and harmonious workplace as the executive sponsor for two employee business resource groups, the Stellantis African Ancestry Network Diaspora and the Working Parents Network.

Gilles has earned numerous academic and industry awards, including the EyesOn Design Lifetime Achievement Award (2023), Multicultural Media Lifetime Achievement Auto Industry Award (2021), Concours d’Elegance of America’s Enthusiast of the Year (2017), The Michigan State Eli Broad Graduate School of Management Young Alumni Achievement Award (2005) and The Automotive Hall of Fame Young Leadership & Excellence Award (2003).

An avid car enthusiast, Gilles’ love for the automotive industry is evident outside of the office, where you can find him on the weekends competing in Radical Racing events or tackling legendary racetracks around the country. Sometimes, he even doubles as a driving coach, imparting wisdom to aspiring racers. A competitor at heart, he has participated in the Targa Newfoundland Rally, Car and Driver’s One Lap of America and the SRT Viper Cup Series. In addition, he frequently serves as a judge at various Concours d’Elegance events across the country, including Pebble Beach, Amelia Island and the EyesOn Design car show.

Netflix’s lens turned toward Gilles in season one of “Abstract: The Art of Design,” where they not only captured his essence, but they also followed him through the design studios, on racetracks, and with his team who helps fuel his creativity.

Gilles earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Transportation Design from the ��ר�� (��ר��) and an MBA from Michigan State University. He serves as a member of the board of trustees at ��ר�� and is also the 2023-2024 Ambassador’s Club co-chair as part of the company’s involvement with the United Way for Southeastern Michigan.

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Press Release Archives | ����ר��

Shannon McPartlon Named Assistant Vice President of Partnerships at ����ר��

����ר�� Announces New Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft

����ר�� alumna and Trustee Molly Valade and her husband Mark Valade established the Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft.

����ר�� Announces Esteemed Group of Honorary Degree Recipients

����ר�� Presented The Show 2026 at Somerset Collection

Selected Designer Collections

����ר�� Appoints Allison J. Puff as Next Provost

����ר�� Unveils Winter 2026 Programming Exploring Sustainable Design and Material Innovation

Winter 2026 Programming

Valade Speaker Series: In the Realm of Lightning, Rajni Perera & Nep Sidhu

NCECA National Juried Student Exhibition

Toyota Lecture Series Industry Exposition

Echoes: ����ר�� Alumni Voices in Clay

Woodward Lecture Series: Adebunmi Gbadebo in Conversation with Ashara Ekundayo

An Evening with Photographer Paul Mobley: In Conversation with President Don Tuski

Woodward Lecture Series: Loris Gréaud

2026 Student Exhibition

States in Play: MdW All Partners Exhibition

����ר�� Launches New Online and Part-Time Graduate Academic Programs

Program Details

����ר�� Launches Apple Foundation Program, Free Coding Courses for Detroiters

The Apple Foundation Program at ����ר�� will welcome its first cohort in October 2025, offering a free introductory app development course with access to laptops and additional devices.

Gilbert Family Foundation Doubles Scholarship Commitment to $2 Million in Support of Detroit Students Attending ����ר��

Ralph Gilles of Stellantis Named 2024 ����ר�� Commencement Speaker

Press Release Archives | ��ר��

Shannon McPartlon Named Assistant Vice President of Partnerships at ��ר��

��ר�� Announces New Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft

��ר�� alumna and Trustee Molly Valade and her husband Mark Valade established the Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft.

��ר�� Announces Esteemed Group of Honorary Degree Recipients

��ר�� Presented The Show 2026 at Somerset Collection

��ר�� Appoints Allison J. Puff as Next Provost

��ר�� Unveils Winter 2026 Programming Exploring Sustainable Design and Material Innovation

Echoes: ��ר�� Alumni Voices in Clay

��ר�� Launches New Online and Part-Time Graduate Academic Programs

��ר�� Launches Apple Foundation Program, Free Coding Courses for Detroiters

The Apple Foundation Program at ��ר�� will welcome its first cohort in October 2025, offering a free introductory app development course with access to laptops and additional devices.

Gilbert Family Foundation Doubles Scholarship Commitment to $2 Million in Support of Detroit Students Attending ��ר��

Ralph Gilles of Stellantis Named 2024 ��ר�� Commencement Speaker