Crystal Williams

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

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

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