2025–26 Community Announcements
Winter/spring 2026
Jun 25, 2026
RISD Ready! Leadership Update
Dear RISD Community,
I am pleased to share that we have completed the search for our inaugural executive director of RISD Ready! Joanne Mitchell, an academic leader with rich experience in advancing student success and career readiness outcomes for emerging artists, designers, and creatives, will join RISD on August 17.
During the interview process, Joanne demonstrated a deep understanding of the importance of collaboration and relationship building in her approach to post-graduation success–in the myriad ways individuals define it. I was impressed by her creativity and sensitivity, which allowed her to successfully work with a broad range of faculty, as well as how she has engaged community partners in academic settings, all while maintaining a student-centered approach. Further, her thoughtfulness and understanding of the developmental trajectories of artists and designers, and the ways in which art and design schools significantly differ from other models of higher education, will enable her to immediately begin to advance the goals of RISD Ready! I look forward to working with such an insightful and impactful leader.
Throughout her career in higher education, Joanne has focused on advancing student success, academic effectiveness, and post-graduation success for artists and designers. As associate provost for Educational Effectiveness and Enrollment Management at Otis College of Art & Design, Joanne served on the leadership team that developed the institution’s strategic plan for career outcomes, working closely with faculty partners to strengthen connections among curriculum, mentorship, and industry experience. This work included the creation of new internship courses, which in their first year achieved 100% internship placement for enrolled students. More recently, she has focused on aligning foundational workshops and advising structures to expand students’ access to professional experiences throughout their academic journey. Joanne also brings valuable experience engaging alumni and trustees in curricular and co-curricular activities that expose students to diverse career paths. Furthermore, Joanne’s commitment to equity is evident in her experience and approach to leadership. At Otis, she co-developed and co-led a summer program to support first-generation students. Her extensive experience leading student success, retention, and assessment initiatives will serve the RISD community well.
Joanne holds a Bachelor of Arts in Government and Economics from Wesleyan University, a Master of Public Policy and Management from Yale University, and a Master of Fine Arts in Photography/Video from California Institute of the Arts.
RISD enlisted the expertise of WittKieffer to identify a strong pool of candidates for this national search. I would like to thank all of the staff, students, faculty, trustees, and alums who participated in this process, either through small group interviews and/or during the campus presentations. I deeply value your engagement and feedback.
I would also like to extend my gratitude and appreciation to the members of the search committee for their time and care as we completed this inaugural search.
Please join me in welcoming Joanne to the RISD community!
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 29, 2026
Celebrating the Academic Year
Dear RISD Community,
As you reflect on bright and memorable moments from the academic year, I hope Commencement and Reunion Weekend serves as an exaltation of all things creative and the limitless potential in all of us. We enthusiastically congratulate the Class of 2026 as they look forward to embarking on their next adventures. And we are thrilled to welcome back alums as they reminisce and reconnect with the places and people that made their time at RISD unforgettable.
So many people across our community endeavor to make Commencement and Reunion Weekend a memorable experience for graduates, alums, families, and other attendees. We see you and thank you.
Happy Commencement and Reunion Weekend, RISD Community! I wish you all a summer of joy, rejuvenation, the company of beloveds, inspiring making, and much needed rest.
Take good care.
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
May 26, 2026
Strategic Planning Process Update | Looking to Summer
Dear RISD Community,
As we look forward to a rejuvenating and restful summer, we write to share that the Strategic Planning Steering Committee met on May 12 to reflect on next steps in the strategic planning process.
Throughout the process, RISD community members and stakeholders have helped RISD surface more than 3,000 comments, ideas, and recommendations to begin refining key areas of focus through surveys, interviews, focus groups, engagement sessions, alumni and family outreach, trustee and industry conversations, and recent institutional initiatives to help inform the new strategic plan.
Having read each suggestion and through much discussion, several themes and areas of convergence have emerged, including:
The holistic health and well-being of our community
Creative research and innovation
Successful student and alumni outcomes
Interdisciplinary collaboration
Deepening engagement and partnerships beyond campus
Finances, shared facilities, and spaces
We will update the Board of Trustees on these themes and ideas at the May board meeting, as the Strategic Planning Steering Committee continues to evolve them through ongoing engagement, synthesis, and refinement over the summer. In early Fall, we will partake in additional discussions with RISD leadership about feasibility, resourcing, and plan implementation. The entire RISD community will have opportunities to participate and provide feedback in the early Fall. We plan to present to the Board of Trustees in October 2026. In the meantime, you can find planning process updates at strategicplanning.risd.edu.
Thank you again for your ongoing involvement and collective thinking as we plan for RISD’s future. We look forward to continued engagement this fall.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her) Touba Ghadessi (she/her)
President Provost
May 4, 2026
Community Input and Feedback Sessions | Thank You and Next Steps
Dear RISD Community,
Thank you again to those who attended the Community Input and Feedback sessions as part of the strategic planning process. Dozens of community members joined us across seven sessions, and we were grateful for the thoughtfulness, energy, and ideas you brought in service of RISD's future.
As a reminder, RISD is developing a three-to-five-year strategic plan through a consultative process that began in Fall 2025. To date, this process has drawn on input from nearly 800 community voices, including students, staff, full- and part-time faculty, deans and other academic leaders, alums, families, trustees, and industry stakeholders. The current set of ideas reflects a synthesis of more than 400 recommendations, alongside feedback gathered through recent institutional initiatives (including the Campus Climate Assessment, Holistic Student Wellness, Preparedness for Life After RISD, and Financial Optimization) and various other forms of community engagement such as focus groups, facilitated discussions, surveys, and the recent input and feedback sessions. This phase of the process calls on us to refine priorities by analyzing what we are hearing and making adjustments based on ongoing community input.
To ensure we hear from a broad cross-section of the community and give every contribution careful consideration, we have adjusted and extended the planning timeline. Over the summer, we will conduct additional data analysis and refinement. In the fall, we will host a session for students, staff, and faculty to engage with the emerging priorities before we bring a proposed plan to the Board of Trustees in October for consideration and ratification.
We will continue to update the community via email and strategicplanning.risd.edu.
Thank you again for your continued engagement and collective thinking as we plan for RISD’s future.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her) Touba Ghadessi (she/her)
President Provost
Apr 3, 2026
Trustee Bob Glass Passing
Dear RISD Community,
It is with great sadness that I write to share the news that Trustee Bob Glass passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026.
Bob was an enthusiastic champion of RISD. In 2012, a year after his daughter graduated from RISD, Bob joined the Board of Trustees. During his tenure, Bob served on numerous board committees, including the Museum, Finance, Academic and Student Affairs, Campus Facilities and Planning, and Education Mission and Strategy. In 2019, he joined the Museum Board of Governors, where he was a thoughtful and active participant who eagerly shared advice, suggestions, and connections in support of RISD. He also attended Fine Arts Committee meetings in an effort to be a more informed governor so he could offer his leadership in the most meaningful ways. His great love and appreciation for the arts were always apparent, and he was pivotal to the presidential search process and a widely respected and valued member of the Board of Trustees.
Bob’s wide-ranging expertise, insightfulness, generosity, and enthusiasm always enriched Board discussions and decisions, and greatly benefited RISD. His good humor, thoughtfulness, dedication, and whole-hearted support of our institution was boundless. He even rode with RISD’s cycling team! Bob is survived by his wife, Katy, and daughters, Grace 11 IL, and Melanie.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Bob’s family and friends. We will miss him greatly.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Apr 2, 2026
Community Gathering
On Friday, April 3, Met B will be reserved from Noon to 1:00 pm for any students, staff, or faculty who wish to be together at this time of loss. There will be no formal program or expectation to stay for the duration. Various staff members will be available to provide support and companionship, as well as a variety of support resources (information, therapy animals, creative activity supplies, refreshments, etc.). There will also be adjacent spaces for anyone who wishes to gather in smaller groups or for private one-on-one support.
Updated lists of available resources are attached to this message. Note, the second attachment is specifically for our community members currently in Florence. Please do seek support when you need it, and continue to take good care of yourselves and each other.
Apr 1, 2026
Death of a Student
Dear RISD Community,
We learned this morning the devastating news that a first-year RISD student, currently studying abroad, has passed away. We have contacted the student’s family and, out of respect for their privacy, cannot publicly share the student’s identity at this time.
The death of a student is a tragedy and a loss for not only the family, but for our community of students, faculty, and staff. At RISD, our networks and connections are deep and strongly felt. I know that many of you will receive this hard news with great sadness and even despair. The power of friendships and community in moments such as this is an important source of collective comfort and cannot be underestimated. So I urge each of you to care for yourselves and others as you can–and to do so together. When we have details about a community gathering, we will share that information. But please remember that we also have many resources immediately available to help support students, staff, and faculty. Those are listed below.
We will soon begin reaching out to community members who were close to the student, including members of their cohort and faculty who had the student in class, to offer counseling and other forms of support.
Finally, as stated above, we have not yet received the family’s authorization to publicly share the student’s name. When possible, we will share that information with the community.
With sadness,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
For Students:
Students who would like an appointment to speak with a counselor at Counseling and Psychological Services - please call 401 454-6637. Someone will always answer the phone number to assist you, and appointment times will be made as widely available as possible.
For Faculty and Staff:
For any faculty or staff needing personal support, Coastline EAP, our Employee Assistance provider, offers confidential counseling and referral/resource services 24 hours a day at 800 445-1195.
We encourage anyone who needs support to take advantage of these resources. In addition, we ask anyone who is concerned about the wellbeing of a RISD community member to contact RISD Public Safety at 401 454-6666, our counseling office at 401 454-6637, or to submit a Concern Assessment Response Evaluation (CARE) referral.
Mar 10, 2026
Winter Board Meeting Recap; 2026–27 Tuition and Fees
Dear RISD Community,
RISD’s Board of Trustees convenes three times a year for scheduled meetings to conduct the ongoing fiduciary and oversight work that helps advance the institution’s mission.
At the winter Board of Trustees meeting in February, the board voted on membership for the following:
- Sol Armada de la Cruz 92 AP, President of Alumni Association
- Helen Burnham, PhD
- Kathy Megrue Smith 88 GD
In honor of their extraordinary service to RISD, the following retired trustees were elected to the Emeriti Trustees:
- Erica Di Bona P 11
- Jon Kamen P 09
- Michael Spalter
During this meeting, trustees heard updates from cabinet members on brand messaging and strategy in anticipation of RISD’s 150th anniversary celebration, as well as updates from the divisions of Social Equity and Inclusion, Institutional Advancement, and Public Safety. Trustees also engaged substantively in the strategic planning process, including discussions of the emerging pressures facing the higher education sector and their potential impact on RISD’s future. Guest speakers included alum David Stark 91 PT, who shared his journey from studio painter to esteemed event designer and producer, Jean Twenge, professor of psychology at San Diego State University, whose presentation on generational differences in the workplace sparked lively discussion, and the Faculty Steering Committee co-chairs, who provided summaries about some of the activities and current conversations taking place among members of the faculty.
The board also approved tuition and fees for the 2026–27 academic year (see rates below). In recent years, the costs of utilities, goods, and services have risen rapidly—in some cases by double digits—significantly increasing the cost of delivering a RISD education. The board approved tuition and student fee increases of 3.9% and room and board increases of 5%, resulting in an overall cost-of-attendance increase of 4.1%. These rates reflect our commitment to absorbing as much of the rising cost burden as possible while preserving the high-quality student experience RISD is known for.
Further, we remain committed to making a RISD education as accessible as possible to as many students as possible. To that end, we will increase the financial aid budget by 6.4% for the 2026–27 academic year. This investment allows us to:
- Increase the number of students receiving financial aid, and
- Ensure that students currently on financial aid see their awards increase to cover the additional tuition expense.
RISD is as vital and forward-looking as ever. With our 150th anniversary on the horizon, exciting things are ahead—for our campus, our community, and the fields our graduates will shape. At RISD, we exalt the creative. We dare to dream new realities. And as a result, our impact is limitless. Thank you for being part of this amazing community and extraordinary place.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Rhode Island School of Design Tuition and Fee Schedule
2026–27 Academic Year
Effective Summer 2026
| Full-time comprehensive tuition, fall, Wintersession and spring semesters: | $66,460 |
|---|---|
| Room and board, fall, Wintersession and spring: | $18,139 |
| Student activities fee, full-time: | $307 |
| Academic and technology fee: | $908 |
Feb 6, 2026
A Spring Semester Message
Dear RISD Community,
Welcome to spring semester! I hope you were able to find time to restore and spend meaningful time with beloveds during the winter break. Indeed, the importance of our connections to each other and the moments we create that foster love and peace seem more essential now than ever.
As we begin the semester, we must acknowledge that the College Hill community is still processing the attack at Brown University on December 13 and mourning the loss of Ella Cook and MukhammadAziz Umurzokov. I know all of us are grateful for the many community members—at RISD, at Brown, and in the Providence and surrounding communities—whose care and generosity have served as balm and support. Thank you.
Many among us are also trying to make sense of the numerous and complex discordant social and civic ruptures happening in this country and around the world. And, as a result, many of us are experiencing a complex series of emotions, anxieties, and uncertainties. What is certain is that RISD remains committed to its values, which prioritize fostering an environment that advances principles of social equity and inclusion, and asserts that the diversity among us is a strength to be honored and celebrated. Our mission compels us to make and support lasting contributions to a global society through critical thinking and innovation in art and design. Despite chaos and upheaval, we center our mission, stay the course, and make art and design, which remain among humanity’s most powerful tools of self-expression and change-making.
Less weighty but also impactful to our daily existence, the 2026 Snowpocalypse has left us with the snowy mounds of Providence and their slushy refuse, making traversing crosswalks around the city and parking challenging. There is a national shortage of salt, which has complicated cleanup. Moreover, so much snow fell that there are few places to put it. As a native Michigander (it is a very snowy state), even I have found this ongoing mess tiresome. That is why I am especially grateful for our Facilities staff, particularly the groundskeepers and building engineers, who continue to work hard to ensure campus lots and walkways are as safe and passable as possible. During the height of the snow, our RISD crews were working 18-hour days. Likewise, all of the staff members—Dining, Student Life, and countless others—whose work required that they be on campus amid the storm and its immediate aftermath have our enduring appreciation. Collectively, they ensured campus operations continued smoothly and essential services remained accessible. As the snow melts, please take care as you traverse campus and College Hill and take a moment to thank RISD community members who helped to ensure our safety and continued operations.
Finally, there is so much going on that it’s difficult to keep up. I know top of mind for many is guidance related to immigration policy and practices. I again encourage you to review RISD’s guidance on what to do (and what not to do) in various scenarios involving federal agents, revisit advice and resources for international students and scholars, and familiarize yourself with resources for addressing discrimination. While RISD will only make statements on issues that directly affect its mission and operations, artists and designers can and should always understand their rights regarding the power of creative expression and freedom of speech.
As the spring semester begins, I hope you will remember to find comfort, inspiration, and strength in this community—a community filled with brilliant, curious, engaged creatives. Indeed. We are creative. We dare to imagine new ways. Our potential is limitless. This is RISD. And I am grateful to and for you all.
May your spring semester be wonder-filled and productive.
Take good care,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Jan 13, 2026
Implementing RISD’s Presidential Initiatives
Dear RISD Community,
When I arrived at RISD nearly four years ago, I proposed five key ways that we might approach co-creating a thriving community: by amplifying the voices of talented artists and designers; evolving our thinking, teaching, and learning; cultivating our people and their capacities; engaging with the diversity of the world’s people and traditions to expand possibilities; and connecting by forming and deepening our relationships with one another, key stakeholders, and the wider world. These are more than aspirations; they are our shared commitments to embodying our values. Today, I’m excited to share an important step in bringing this charge to life: the implementation of RISD’s Presidential Initiatives.
The recommendations identified by the Holistic Student Wellness, Preparedness for Life After RISD, and Financial Optimization committee members are pragmatic and actionable. I am deeply thankful for all the work and analysis that went into generating them. Combined, these recommendations reflect deep collaboration and innovative thinking among students, faculty, staff, trustees, and alums. They represent the best of our collective thinking and action as we look toward RISD’s future, focusing on three essential questions:
How can we better support and prepare our graduates for the complex and evolving world that awaits them?
How can we ensure that faculty and staff are supported to best accomplish their work at RISD?
How can we steward our resources strategically to sustain RISD’s mission for generations to come?
The committees, having broadly consulted with many campus stakeholders, produced recommendations that now have clear cabinet-level leadership and cross-divisional collaboration to guide their implementation. Some efforts are already underway. Others will unfold over time in connection to our Strategic Planning process, evolving through continued listening, innovation, and the shared expertise within our community.
Our action plan includes these recommendations as well as structural interventions to help catalyze, organize, and launch endeavors that are key to RISD's success going forward. They include:
Support faculty in expanding students’ learning with care, through inclusive pedagogy; for example, by expanding the Teaching & Learning Lab.
Continue to strengthen student advising.
Reduce barriers across departments.
Provide skill-building for working effectively and thoughtfully with neurodivergent and diverse populations.
Deepen our commitments to ensuring that, upon graduation, students leave with not only exemplary technical skills and artistic sophistication, but also optimal preparation and support to successfully pursue their desired professional path.
Amplify engagement, communications, and data that support the value of a RISD degree.
Examine and optimize our current use of space, one of our largest assets.
More information is available on the updated Strategic Planning website, which will serve as our communications hub for progress updates on the implementation of the Presidential Initiatives, as well as the broader Strategic Planning process, currently underway.
At RISD, we are guided by a belief that art and design are not peripheral to society. They are central to imagining and building a more just and equitable future. The Presidential Initiatives are one way we act on that belief, bolstering conditions that allow creativity to thrive and expanding the reach and relevance of a RISD education. They reflect our shared commitment to bold thinking, meaningful change, and a future shaped by our collective vision.
Thank you for your ongoing partnership, creativity, and care as we take this next step together. I look forward to continuing this work with you and to seeing the many ways it will transform our students and alums, our institution, and the world.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Summer/fall 2025
Dec 23, 2025
Supporting the Safety and Wellbeing of the RISD Community
Dear RISD Community,
Last week College Hill experienced one of its darkest moments, the effects of which will be long felt. In advance of the new year, we want to offer essential and timely information and next steps that have emerged from the many conversations held within and outside of our community. In addition, we have compiled an at-a-glance list of current safety and wellbeing resources available to students, staff, and faculty at RISD. These resources are also available on RISD’s emergency site.
RISD safety and wellbeing, currently:
All RISD academic, residential, and administrative buildings are equipped with security cameras and normally require card access for entry. Several operational exceptions exist with restricted schedules and for specific events during which general public access is allowed (e.g., art openings, galleries, RISD stores, Admissions, etc.).
RISD Public Safety officers are on duty 24/7. They collaborate with the Providence Police Department so that, when needed, our systems and operations are as coordinated as possible.
RISD Public Safety officers use vehicles that are equipped with laptops connected via FIRSTNET, the largest 5G cellular network prioritized for first responders. This enables RISD to communicate immediately with a wide range of rescue workers, ensuring our ability to quickly gather essential, reliable information and bolster our ability to act with immediacy and effectiveness.
Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate (ALICE) training for the community continues to be available, as it has been for years. To schedule a training, email pubsafe@risd.edu.
Going forward, we will work to ensure that all members of our community are aware of this ongoing service.
Residence Life and Student Life staff are trained to handle emergency and incident response procedures, and they activate those procedures at all levels of emergency.
Residence Life staff rotate on-call coverage for students who live in on-campus housing.
Student Life staff (i.e., central office, International Student and Scholar Affairs (ISSA) and Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) rotate on-call coverage for the entire campus.
RISD leadership regularly participates in training exercises led by RISD’s Emergency Operations Command Team to ensure the effectiveness of our processes and procedures.
The CARE Network routinely conducts outreach to students who are affected by natural or human-caused disasters and emergencies.
Services and support available to the RISD community in moments of need and emergency are outlined in the attached resources document.
What RISD will offer and do regarding safety and wellbeing:
RISD will continue to conduct annual emergency drills with local law enforcement agencies and first responders.
Although our academic, residential, and administrative buildings are card accessed, and we have previously sent out reminders to the community regarding safety, we will more regularly communicate the importance of situational awareness and not holding doors open.
Regarding our card access and camera systems:
RISD is notified immediately upon failure or system trouble with card access readers or cameras. Equipment is repaired or replaced as soon as possible.
Along with our normal systematic review, RISD will perform additional reviews of all card access points and camera locations to enhance areas that may be improved or updated for increased security and monitoring.
To supplement RISD-supported RIPTA access, there will be several changes to RISD Rides services. They are:
RISD Rides will begin operating one hour earlier, at 4 pm, to provide early evening service. This will take effect Monday, January 5 and end on Sunday, March 8, 2026, when daylight is extended.
Service hours will end at 2:30 am to better align with building hours of operation, as previously communicated.
For the remainder of this academic year, the service area will remain unchanged, thus reversing the plan that was communicated earlier this month.
Beginning in August 2026, the service area will change to operate within a one-mile parameter, as communicated earlier this month.
RISD will continue to work closely with the Providence Emergency Management Agency to enhance our emergency response protocols in the new year.
In addition to CAPS support for students and EAP support for employees, we are offering additional opportunities for care and connection in the days ahead.
On Monday, January 5, and Wednesday, January 7, counseling support will be available from 10 am– 3 pm at two locations: Carr Haus Café and 15 West (first floor office behind the Portfolio Café).
These sessions are drop-in and open to everyone in our community. They are not limited to grief counseling; they are also available for those who may want extra support, a place to talk things through, or for small groups who would benefit from a guided conversation about the recent events.
On Tuesday, January 6, we are offering a different format focused on being together as a community:
Students are invited to gather at The Fleet Library from 10 am– 12 pm.
Employees are invited to the same space from 1– 3 pm.
These times are intended to provide a shared, supportive space to connect with one another. A counselor will be present and available to help guide conversation if needed.
Lessons for RISD:
Difficult moments offer opportunities for reflection and amendment, as did the events of December 13. RISD is committed to undertaking a meaningful assessment of our emergency response and safety protocols in the new year. Furthermore, as part of this assessment, we will review our internal and external communications protocols as related to any emergency on RISD’s campus, in RISD's buildings, and at neighboring academic institutions.
Thank you for the care you have extended to each other. We remain inspired by the kindness and the courage we have seen in all of you. For those who celebrate at this time of year, may your celebrations be especially meaningful and joy-filled. For those who do not, may these days be restorative and peaceful. And may each of us harbor gratitude for all that we have and might offer in aid of others.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Dec 19, 2025
Developments in Brown University tragedy
Dear RISD Community,
Last night, we learned that the search for the suspect in Saturday’s horrific attack at Brown University has concluded. Law enforcement authorities announced that the man they identified as the shooter was found deceased in Salem, New Hampshire. Authorities believe he was also responsible for the murder of a MIT professor on Monday.
Brown, RISD, our College Hill and Providence neighbors, and all those whose lives were touched by this tragedy are now forever bonded by a common sadness. But we are also connected by much more—our strength and our kindness toward and care for one another. I share Brown’s President Paxson’s sentiment that reaching the conclusion of the manhunt will not restore losses, but may help us begin to move forward. Because Brown University’s community and ours are so closely intertwined, I encourage you to read President Paxson’s most recent update (linked above).
We are mindful that many among our RISD community will continue to carry heavy feelings and we, therefore, will continue to offer direct and tangible support. Operationally, RISD’s Emergency Operations Command Team (EOCT) is actively reviewing our current security practices and protocols.
In the days ahead, we will share additional information regarding all that RISD is doing and will do regarding safety protocols and community offerings.
In the meantime, take good care, RISD.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Resources for community members following the events at Brown University
As we navigate this time together as a community, please know that there are various resources available to provide individual support to those who may be in distress.
For RISD Students:
If you are a RISD student currently in Rhode Island, you can also call CAPS for appointments or support during standard office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm eastern).
For Faculty and Staff:
For any faculty or staff needing personal support, Coastline EAP, our Employee Assistance provider, offers confidential counseling and referral/resource services 24 hours a day at 800 445-1195.
Other support:
Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance 24/7. 988 includes resources for call, text, chat and options for the hard-of-hearing community.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: Available 24/7 and is a free and confidential counseling line for immediate mental health support following critical incidents. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Public Safety Guidance:
If at any time you feel unsafe or observe suspicious activity, call Public Safety at 401-454-6666. We encourage you to store this number in your phone. If there is imminent danger, dial 911.
Dec 15, 2025
Supporting our community
Dear RISD Community,
I write to you following the horrific attack on Brown’s campus on Saturday. First, we at Rhode Island School of Design mourn the loss of life and injury. I know this community extends our deepest condolences to the families, beloveds, and friends of the two students who were killed, just as we share a sense of outrage and sadness for the injuries–both physical and emotional–that the survivors have suffered and will continue to endure. We also lament the heightened anxiety and dismay that now exists in our campus communities and within the city of Providence and across the state of Rhode Island.
The gorgeous and unique symbiosis and mutuality between the Brown and RISD campuses strengthen both institutions, adding to the incredible variety of modes of making, discovery, and learning that define our institutions. We share degree programs, which graduate brilliant designers, artists, scholars, and engineers. Our students share classrooms, student clubs, a museum, libraries, friendships, community, and a vibrant and vital sense of exploration, innovation, and joy. And, too, our staff and faculty share collegial relationships and friendships, and understand themselves to be not only in community with each other, but also the stewards of that community, precious and rare as it is. College Hill is now forever changed by the scourge of gun violence. And we mourn that change. And we endeavor to learn and grow from it. And while our schools are very different—with unique origin stories, missions, and outcomes, our mutuality is undeniable. And we cherish it. And so, we especially mourn what transpired at Brown on Saturday.
Whether on campus today or at home among family, our students, staff, and faculty are experiencing a range of potent emotions: disbelief, sadness, anxiety, relief, anger, bemusement, or all of the above. Today, I sat with a small group of staff and faculty around a table over a brown-bag lunch. We talked about this painful moment—acknowledging the complex emotions our community is experiencing in the wake of such terrifying gun violence. And it is a moment experienced not just at Brown and RISD, but in Providence and the state of Rhode Island, made more difficult by the facts on the ground, which are, unfortunately, changeable and leave us without the answers that would assuage our anxieties and bewilderment. I am thankful to those who attended today’s lunch, as their insights were invaluable.
Further, this afternoon a group of RISD senior leaders debriefed Saturday’s events and our response to them. We acknowledge that there are lessons to learn and act upon–among them enhanced internal and external communication and coordination, especially given the mutual nature of our campuses. Thank you to all members of our community who have made suggestions to strengthen RISD and how we support our community members. And thank you, too, to those whose letters of support and appreciation have reached us.
I now turn to several practical interventions that are worth sharing. First, the city's shelter-in-place order is lifted; as such, RISD remains open. RISD’s Emergency Operations Command Team (EOCT) is actively monitoring the situation. The lines of communication with the City, the Mayor, and President Paxson remain open and active. We appreciate their leadership and acknowledge the incredible complexity of this moment. RISD stands ready to be of help in any way we can. Likewise, we will continue to coordinate with local law enforcement and neighboring institutions. Public Safety guidance and reminders are included below my signature. We will communicate critical information as promptly as possible via RISDAlerts and the RISD Emergency web page.
Given last night’s news about the release of the person of interest, many among us are feeling a renewed sense of tension and uncertainty. For some of us, that means a desire to come to work and be in and among this community. For others, it may mean a different option if there is one available. We encourage RISD managers to offer increased flexibility this week for their employees wherever possible. Employees, please speak with your managers about flexible work arrangements or engage RISD’s time away policy. As a reminder, for any faculty or staff needing personal support, resources are listed at the end of this message. We are also working on securing additional crisis-response support for staff in the immediate term. We will send a separate notice regarding that resource if it becomes available.
For students, Student Life professionals are systematically identifying and contacting those who remain on campus or may be in Providence but in off-campus housing to provide care. While classes have concluded and most (not all) students are now away from campus for winter break, support is available and encouraged. Please see updated information from CAPS and additional crisis response resources below or at students.risd.edu/counseling.
But more, this situation is a harsh reminder that we live in a world where safety is not a given and where gun violence can cruelly touch each of our lives in the most lamentable way, no matter where we live, who we are, or what we dream of for the future. Last night, I attended a community vigil at Providence’s Lippitt Park – it was a reminder of the power of being in the light of loving, caring, human beings. As a community of people who seek to serve the human project rather than destroy it, I hope that we all find strength in the light of our loved ones and each other.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Resources for community members following the events at Brown University
As we navigate this time together as a community, please know that there are various resources available to provide individual support to those who may be in distress.
For RISD Students:
All RISD students can access 24/7 mental health counseling by calling Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) at 401-454-6637 at any time, to be connected with our after-hours counseling service.
If you are a RISD student currently in Rhode Island, you can also call CAPS for appointments or support during standard office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–4:30 pm eastern).
For Faculty and Staff:
For any faculty or staff needing personal support, Coastline EAP, our Employee Assistance provider, offers confidential counseling and referral/resource services 24 hours a day at 800 445-1195.
Other support:
Through the 988 Lifeline, you have access to free, quality, one-on-one assistance 24/7. 988 includes resources for call, text, chat and options for the hard-of-hearing community.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Administration’s (SAMHSA) Disaster Distress Helpline: Available 24/7 and is a free and confidential counseling line for immediate mental health support following critical incidents. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.
Public Safety Guidance:
If at any time you feel unsafe or observe suspicious activity, call Public Safety at 401-454-6666. We encourage you to store this number in your phone and to also download the LiveSafe app, which provides safety resources such as tracking a friend and crime reporting. If there is imminent danger, dial 911.
Dec 13, 2025
Update on Brown University emergency activity
Dear RISD Community,
Earlier this evening there was an active shooter incident on Brown University’s campus, which took place near Brown’s Barus & Holley Engineering building. While the situation is ongoing, RISD is closely monitoring and remains in contact with Brown Public Safety and Providence Police. Here is what we know at this time:
- Local, state, and federal law enforcement authorities are on the scene. As soon as the incident was reported, we alerted our community members to avoid Brown’s campus and the affected areas.
- There are confirmed reports of two fatalities and at least eight injured, although authorities have not yet identified the victims. Injured victims have been transported to local hospitals.
- While no additional shots have been reported, as of 8:30 pm ET, there are no suspects in custody. Authorities are searching the area and constituents are encouraged to avoid College Hill.
- RISD classes ended this week and, as a result, RISD’s campus is relatively quiet as many RISD students have already made their way to their Winter Break destination.
- For additional updates, please follow the Brown University Emergency Updates page.
On the precipice of a season in which so many gather, celebrate, and reflect, such a tragedy is especially devastating. We mourn for the loss of life, for the physical and emotional injury this event has caused, and for interruption of the sense of safety and security that existed on College Hill. While we do not yet have the answers and information so many of us yearn for, please know that the safety and wellbeing of our community is our highest priority. RISD Public Safety personnel are actively working with authorities to keep our community members safe. Please only contact them in the case of an emergency.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Oct 26, 2025
Sad news about the loss of a student
Dear RISD Community,
I am saddened to share that one of our students passed away yesterday, October 25, 2025. Losing a member of the RISD community has profound effects on all of us, and our hearts go out especially to the student’s family, friends, peers, and mentors.
We have contacted the student’s family, and out of respect for their wishes, are not publicly sharing the student’s identity at this time. We will do so only with the expressed consent of the surviving loved ones.
We have started the process of contacting those members of the RISD community who were close to the student, including their housemates, to provide support in this difficult time. Also, we have notified all faculty who had the student in class. My thoughts are with all of you as we hold the student’s family and friends in our hearts.
On Monday, October 27 from 11:45 AM - 1:15 PM, we will hold an open, quiet space in the Fleet Library for the RISD community to gather in this difficult moment to support and care for one another. There will be no formal remarks or program. All are welcome.
Information on additional resources for students, faculty, and staff can be found below my signature.
Please take good care of yourselves and one another.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
For Students:
Students who would like an appointment to speak with a counselor at Counseling and Psychological Services - please call 401 454-6637 or email counseling@risd.edu. Someone will always answer the phone number to assist you, and appointment times will be made as widely available as possible.
For Faculty and Staff:
For any faculty or staff needing personal support, Coastline EAP, our Employee Assistance provider, offers confidential counseling and referral/resource services 24 hours a day at 800 445-1195.
We encourage anyone who needs support to take advantage of these resources. In addition, we ask anyone who is concerned about the wellbeing of a RISD community member to contact RISD Public Safety at 401 454-6666, our counseling office at 401 454-6637, or to submit a Concern Assessment Response Evaluation (CARE) referral.
Oct 17, 2025
Fall Board Meeting Recap
Dear RISD Community,
RISD’s Board of Trustees convenes for scheduled meetings at least three times per year in addition to the ongoing work of the board’s committees to help advance the institution’s mission, set policies, and provide organizational insight.
In May, the Board of Trustees welcomed the following new trustees:
Term Trustees
Roger Brooks P 09
Geesun Chung P 26
Michael Maltzan BArch 85/P 24
Jill Medvedow
Rex Wong BArch 03
Christina Wu P 28
Emeritus Trustee
Kim Gassett-Schiller P 14
Ex-officio Trustees
William Hammer BArch 65; chair, Emeriti Trustees
Missy Waytena P 26; chair, Families Association
Each brings passion for RISD’s mission and vision, along with years of experience in key areas such as law, business, finance, higher education, and cultural institutions focused on art and design. We are grateful for their leadership, dedication, and care as we work together to accomplish goals and outcomes that ensure RISD’s future.
In addition to routine college business, trustees engaged with members of the cabinet to hear updates on RISD’s financial position and enrollment, the accreditation and strategic planning processes, and plans for RISD’s 150th anniversary. The board also approved the RISD Museum’s 2025–29 strategic plan, which outlines the museum’s future direction and priorities, as well as providing a practical roadmap for achieving goals and outcomes.
A highlight of each board meeting includes a student engagement lunch. This fall, undergraduate and graduate international students joined the trustees and cabinet members to discuss their experiences of studying in the US, what motivated them to study abroad at RISD, and how the current political climate has affected their decision-making process as they continue to pursue higher education opportunities.
It is always a pleasure to welcome RISD’s Board of Trustees to campus. I remain inspired by and grateful for their creativity and optimism as we continue work that advances RISD’s mission in a rapidly changing landscape.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Sept 25, 2025
Strategic Planning Process Update
Dear RISD Community,
As you may be aware, RISD is preparing to craft its next strategic plan. As we approach our 150th anniversary, we are called to envision our highest collective aspirations, aligned with our mission, vision, and values. The strategic planning process allows us to reflect, both in celebration and contemplation, and to consider what we wish RISD’s future to be.
For nonprofit institutions, strategic planning is a layered and iterative process. It takes into account the realities of an organization while looking at the opportunities its future could hold. The strategic planning process serves both internal and external purposes and will help RISD to identify and streamline its priorities by answering five core questions:
What are our priorities in the current environment?
What resources—financial, human, and institutional—do we require to achieve our goals?
Based on our strengths and expertise, how will we continue to make an impact as an institution?
For what and to whom do we wish to hold ourselves accountable?
How will we know we are making progress?
We have convened a Strategic Planning Steering Committee that will consult with a broad range of constituents (e.g., faculty, staff, students, alums, and industry leaders) as we co-create a visionary and achievable plan, moored in our mission and values, shaped by our insight, oriented toward equitable and sustainable impact, and reflective of the extraordinary work already occurring across the institution. The new plan will be shaped by a process that is rigorous, bold, and inclusive of recommendations gained from the Holistic Student Wellness, Financial Optimization, and Preparedness for Life After RISD initiatives, as well as ongoing accreditation efforts. To support the Steering Committee’s work, we have engaged the consulting firm Credo-Carnegie, which will help us not only develop a sound strategic plan, but also create a framework for its implementation.
Timeline
FALL 2025 | Launch & Listening: Initial framing, stakeholder engagement, discovery, and alignment
SPRING 2026 | Drafting & Refinement: Developing goals, metrics, and action pathways
SUMMER 2026 | Validation & Finalization: Institutional review and final adjustments
FALL 2026 | Public Release: Launch and dissemination of the final strategic plan
In the coming weeks, we will share more information about listening sessions and how all of you will be invited to be involved. Your support of RISD’s strategic planning process and its importance for our future is very meaningful, and we are grateful for it.
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President
Touba Ghadessi (she/her)
Provost
Strategic Planning Steering Committee Members
Yukti Agarwal, BRDD 24 TX
Ashleigh Axios 08 GD, Trustee
Roger Brooks P 09, Trustee
Tyanna Buie, associate professor, Printmaking
John Caserta, dean, Architecture & Design
Touba Ghadessi (co-chair), provost
Adela Goldbard, associate professor, Experimental and Foundation Studies
Jess Harris, student support & CARE Network program manager, Student Life
David Rosati, senior vice president, Finance & Administration
Lisa Sacco MFA 23 FD
Eric Telfort 05 IL, dean, Fine Arts
Crystal Williams (co-chair), president
Sept 5, 2025
Welcome to the 2025–26 Academic Year
Dear students, staff, and faculty,
Welcome to RISD, Class of 2029, new staff and faculty, and welcome back to our returning community members! I am thrilled to be back on campus with all of you as we begin the 2025–26 academic year.
A great deal has happened over the past few months. Below, I provide a few updates and additional information as we embark on a new semester.
New Federal Policies and Their Impacts
Last spring, the current administration announced new federal regulations and policies, with profound implications for the higher education sector.
Changes to financial aid access, including new limits on the amounts and kinds of financing available to students and parents, proposed changes to the Federal Work-Study Program, as well as new eligibility restrictions to Pell Grants, which support students with the least financial resources, will affect who has the ability to pursue higher education. International students face additional challenges, including new visa fees and changes to requirements.
Limiting options students and their parents use to pay for college and restricting access to international students can lead to a less inclusive campus community and culture. I continue to believe that our diversity is our strength. Members of the RISD community hail from nearly every continent across the globe, practice myriad faith traditions, and embody multiple identities that span race, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, and more. Our international students bring unique perspectives and contributions that make our learning environment more vibrant. And as a result of such admixture of learning and exchange, our community is made richer.
Artists and designers shape nearly every aspect of our world. Therefore it matters greatly who is able to imagine themselves as an artist or designer. Recognizing the broader purpose of higher education—to produce critical thinkers and problem solvers who are engaged citizens of the country and the world—implies that diversity of thought and approach is crucial to creating solutions to the world’s most complex challenges and to societal advancement. Art and design education is and remains central to this critical work. The impact of many of the new and changing policies is still unfolding, but be assured that I and senior leaders continue to monitor developments closely.
Looking Ahead
Federal Landscape: We continue to focus on strategic priorities centered on our students, stabilizing our operations and finances, and strengthening our community. To keep everyone informed of developments, Senior Vice President for Finance David Rosati, Provost Touba Ghadessi, and Vice President for Enrollment Management Jamie O’Hara will once again offer open sessions in which community members can learn about the college’s current financial position and future plans. Dates and calendar holds will be sent soon. We will also hold forums to informally discuss current events in the federal policy landscape for students, staff, and faculty. Additional details will be shared shortly.
Strategic Initiatives: We are moving forward with some recommendations that emerged from the three working group initiatives—Holistic Student Wellness, Preparedness for Life After RISD, and Financial Optimization. Implementation plans based on the working group recommendations have been created; additional details will be shared in an upcoming message.
Planning Overview: In addition, these next two years will be full of impactful engagement. First, we are approaching our 150th anniversary. Second, we are in the midst of focusing our fundraising efforts very keenly on student success, which will strengthen the student experience. Thirdly, we are on the precipice of developing RISD’s new strategic plan. While distinct endeavors, they offer us an opportunity to integrate not only our thinking, but also our actions, so that the work of one effort can strengthen the outcomes of another.
As we approach our 150th anniversary, we are called to envision our highest collective aspirations as aligned with our mission, vision, and values. This anniversary provides us with an important opportunity to celebrate—boldly, creatively, joyfully, and ambitiously—while simultaneously laying plans to ensure that RISD will be here and thriving for another 150 years. In the midst of all of that momentum, which we are building even as I write this, we are focusing on expanding financial aid coffers, ensuring RISD students have access to the high-impact practices and resources that we know inform their post-graduation outcomes, and can be full participants in the RISD experience no matter their financial status. The strategic planning process affords us an opportunity to reflect, both in celebration and contemplation, and to consider what we wish RISD’s future institutional impact to be. Listening sessions will begin later this month, and more information about the process and how community members can be involved will be shared soon.
Accreditation: To maintain accreditation, RISD is required to conduct a substantial self-study every 10 years, of which we are in the midst. This self-study must rigorously and honestly examine all areas of college operations to demonstrate compliance with the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE) standards. Last fall, RISD initiated its reaccreditation process by convening eight working groups, comprising community members from across the college and led by chairs, to focus intently on each NECHE standard and gather information on RISD’s compliance with these standards. The working groups submitted detailed sets of bullet points that demonstrate compliance, citing appropriate documentation when possible. Using those reports, accreditation co-chairs Provost Ghadessi and Executive Director of Accreditation and Institutional Effectiveness Jennifer Roberts, with Director, Center for Arts & Language Jennifer Liese, drafted a comprehensive report (currently under cabinet review and available to the RISD community later in the fall semester). In late October, the chair of the visiting team, Trinity College President Emerita Joanne Berger-Sweeney, will conduct a preliminary visit to campus in anticipation of the full team visit that concludes the self-study process in March 2026.
The start of a new academic year is a wonderful time to reset, explore new perspectives, and imagine possibilities without limits. The collective work before us—whether helping to envision our new institutional strategy, participating in planning or evincing of events and interactions for the sesquicentennial, helping to raise new funds in service of expanding access, or engaging in the reaccreditation process to ensure we’re critically evaluating and reflecting our strengths and adequately and effectively addressing our challenges—all call us to amplify this amazing place and its people. In this, I find an enormous amount of hope and joy. I look eagerly forward to the year ahead. And I wish each of you a joyful and abundant beginning, too!
Sincerely,
Crystal Williams (she/her)
President