A Word from the President In envisioning the future for Minneapolis College of Art and Design, we must build upon the institution’s solid foundation, strengthened for more than a century, while also transforming and growing. We must embrace accessibility and practice adaptability to ensure that our students are well-equipped to meet the ever-changing needs of our world. Higher education has faced ground-shifting challenges over the years, but the pandemic accelerated the need for deeper change–a holistic rethinking of the student experience. As today’s students plan their post-high-school education, they have reordered their priorities, such as safety, affordability, career support, personalization, wellness, community, and social justice, among others. And so must we. With our new strategic roadmap in place, MCAD will continue to adapt to attract emerging artists and designers, so that they may have the place and space to define their personal and professional roles as creative leaders. Thank you for taking the time to get to know MCAD. -President Sanjit Sethi "With our new strategic roadmap in place, MCAD will continue to adapt to attract emerging artists and designers, so that they may have the place and space to define their personal and professional roles as creative leaders." Looking Ahead The plan focuses on four transformational strategic areas. Campus of the Future A Culture of Empathy and Inclusion Collaborative Community Innovative Curricula Campus of the Future As an enterprise and campus, we are strategically investing in our long-term economic and environmental sustainability. We will grow our physical campus capacity from 800 to 1000 full-time students, changing the college’s scale and impact and allowing us to support and retain students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. We will grow and invest capital in new student housing, state-of-the-art academic spaces, emerging technologies, and sustainable energy solutions. We envision a campus that is welcoming to the community and accessible (both physically and virtually) for all types of learners, at all life stages. Innovative Curricula Being a preeminent art and design college in the country, now and well into the future, demands that we transform our coursework and programs with a focus on student choice and success. We will support our students in imagining what’s possible through experiential learning, collaboration, and reflection, integrating real-world considerations and embedding diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Because educating the next generation of creative leaders is not a one-size-fits-all approach, we will design courses and programs with flexibility in mind, such as in-person and online instruction, as it is an expectation to support students’ individual needs. We will add advanced leadership classes for all students as it is an imperative for job placement and progressive creative practices. A Culture of Empathy and Inclusion We hold ourselves accountable to empathetic leadership which integrates humility, inclusion, curiosity, and foresight. We are committed to reduce barriers and create accessible, inclusive spaces–so that everyone at MCAD can be their authentic and best selves. We will continue our focus on DEI, provide more financial aid, offer flexible learning options (like hybrid class instruction), enhance academic advising, and reduce food and housing insecurities. To attract, engage, and support MCAD students, staff, and faculty, we will prioritize their wellbeing by increasing access to holistic physical- and mental-health resources. We will attract exceptional faculty and staff who represent the diversity of our student body and invest in them so they have the resources to do their best work. Collaborative Community We actively seek to engage with the broader community because the critical social issues facing the world today can only be solved through collaboration. We will strengthen our relationships with the broader community (from our own alumni to community leaders) by openly and collectively addressing issues, such as racism, accessibility, and climate change. We seek to enrich our students, faculty, staff, and community through exposure to creative work and inclusive conversations. What is a Creative Leader? MCAD’s community of students, alumni, and faculty have been leading the way through ideation, creative expression, experimentation, collaboration, and action. MCAD's Creative Leaders Where are we in the Strategic Planning Process? Engagement & Discovery January–June 2021 We gathered information, analyzed data, and invited internal and external input to assess the challenges ahead and collectively imagine how to position MCAD now and for the future. Defining & Refining July–November 2021 We defined our near- and long-term imperatives as planned growth, educational innovation, and social impact, built upon MCAD’s history of innovation, creative education, and future differentiation. Approval December 2021 We presented the long-range plan to the Board of Trustees and received approval to move forward. Feasibility & Implementation 2022–2025 We will implement feasibility studies to inform the timing and scope of the operational phases and conduct quarterly assessments of progress and adaptations to the plan. "Cultural equity has two parts: a right to have one’s stories told, and the responsibility to know other people’s stories. With this recommitment to cultural equity, MCAD is investing in both halves of that compact and will be a place of affirmation, connection, and exchange." —Jamie Bennett, Executive Director of ArtPlace America and former Chief of Staff at the National Endowment for the Arts Learn More MCAD is poised to distinguish itself as an art and design school of choice and elevate its stature and future sustainability. We are committed to a future for MCAD marked by strategic growth, educational innovation, and social impact. At the heart of this path is our belief that all art and design practitioners have the power to change society by imagining what’s possible. Connect with us: 612.874.3777 | institutional_advancement@mcad.edu Questions? Ask us:communications@mcad.edu In the Press "Minneapolis College of Art & Design launches itself toward a 'campus of the future'" (startribune.com—March 17, 2022)