- James M. Nicholson, Chair
- Lynn F. Alandt Vice, Chair
- James H. Vandenberghe, Treasurer
- William S. Taubman
- Donald L. Tuski, President
- Molly P. Valade
- Robert H. Bluestein
- Thomas C. Buhl
- Darrell Burks
- Moray S. Callum
- Frank Campanale
- Thomas Celani
- Lois Pincus Cohn
- KC Crain
- Matthew P. Cullen
- Steve Davis
- Linda Dresner
- Marla Drutz
- Nicole Eisenberg
- Alburn H. Elvin, Jr.
- Nathan M. Forbes
- Ralph Gillies
- David M. Hempstead
- John W. Ingle III
- Danialle Karmanos
- Don Manvel
- William U. Parfet
- Stephen R. Polk
- Waltraud E. Prechter
- Sydney L. Ross
- Michael P. Simcoe
Category: Overview
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2025-2026 Board of Trustees
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2026-2027 Board of Trustees
- James M. Nicholson, Chair
- Lynn F. Alandt, Vice Chair
- James H. Vandenberghe, Treasurer
- Ralph Gillies, Secretary
- Robert H. Bluestein
- Thomas C. Buhl
- Darrell Burks
- Moray S. Callum
- Frank Campanale
- KC Crain
- Matthew P. Cullen
- Steve Davis
- Marla Drutz
- Nicole Eisenberg
- Alburn H. Elvin, Jr.
- Nathan M. Forbes
- Paige Rakolta Frisch
- Alex Huang
- David M. Hempstead
- John W. Ingle III
- Danialle Karmanos
- Don Manvel
- Jane Pan-Lou
- Stephen R. Polk
- Waltraud E. Prechter
- Sydney L. Ross
- William S. Taubman
- Donald L. Tuski, President
- Molly P. Valade
- T.J. Winfrey
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Academic Catalog Statement
The CCS Academic Catalog provides a general overview of institution guidelines, policies and procedures for student enrollment, records and registration; academic programs; course information; and student access at the College for Creative Studies (CCS). This catalog includes general information for both Undergraduate & Graduate level academic programs.
Additional policies are located in the CCS Policy Database accessible online through the college website and/or student portals.
Course information is also available through the Guest view on Self-Service.
Academic Programs and Courses are reviewed for updates annually. Academic Policies that are updated during an active Academic year will be noted in the Addenda section.
The Academic Catalog is updated each year and is archived annually. Archives are accessible online or by contacting the Academic Advising & Registration Office (313.664.7672 or email aaro@ccsdetroit.edu).
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Academic Minors (2026-2027)
Undergraduate – Liberal Arts Minors – 15 credits
- Art History
- Art Therapy
- Creative Entrepreneurship
- Creative Writing
- Film Studies (Liberal Arts)
- Sustainability
Undergraduate – Studio Minors – 15 credits
- Communication Design & Strategy (CDS)
- CDS Branding
- CDS Motion Graphics
- CDS UI/UX Design
- Entertainment Arts
- Fashion Design
- Fashion – Footwear Design
- Film (Studio Minor)
- Illustration
- Interior Design
- Photography
- Product Design
- Product Design (for Animation, Game Design, EA/Concept & Illustration Majors)
- Product Design (for Transportation Design Majors)
- Studio Art & Craft
- Transportation Design
- Transportation – Automotive Clay Modeling
- Transportation – Automotive Digital Modeling
Graduate Minors – 9 credits
- Footwear Design
- Sustainability & Design
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Belonging at CCS
The College for Creative Studies strives to make our campus a welcoming environment for everyone. CCS fosters a community of belonging that is free from harassment and discriminatory practices built on a foundation of respect, empathy, and knowledge.
Statement of Commitment
We are dedicated to creating an environment that supports belonging and an equitable campus culture. We value our rich campus community and strive to cultivate an environment where ideas and contributions can flourish. CCS is committed to advancing efforts that enrich our campus community and build stronger communities.
Land Acknowledgment Statement
The College for Creative Studies respectfully acknowledges that we are on the traditional, contemporary, and ancestral homelands of the Anishinaabe – Council of Three Fires: the Ojibwe/Chippewa, Odawa/Ottawa, and Potawatomi/Bodéwadmi along with their neighbors the Seneca, Delaware, Fox, Shawnee, Loups, Miami and Wyandot who maintained, and continue to preserve lifeways along Detroit’s river banks and throughout the Great Lakes region. Through signing the Treaty of Detroit in 1807, Anishinaabek tribes ceded the land now occupied by the city we stand on. We recognize Michigan is home to 12 federally recognized tribes who continue to steward this land, in remembrance of their ancestors and thinking of future generations.
The CCS Covenant: A Commitment to Civility
The College for Creative Studies nurtures the creativity that is vital to the enhancement of modern culture. This is best accomplished in an atmosphere of mutual respect and civility, self-restraint, concern for others, and academic integrity. By choosing to join this community, I accept the obligation to live by these common values and commit myself to the following principles:
As a CCS Student, Staff, or Faculty Member:
- I will embrace the concept of a civil community that abhors violence, theft, and exploitation of others;
- I will commit myself to the pursuit of knowledge, excellence in art & design with personal integrity, and academic honesty;
- I will respect the sanctity of the learning environment and avoid disruptive and deceitful behavior toward other members of the campus community;
- I will support a culture of diversity by respecting the rights of those who differ from myself;
- I will contribute to the development of a caring community where compassion for others and freedom of thought and expression are valued;
- I will honor, challenge and contribute to the scholarly heritage left by those who preceded me and work to leave this a better place for those who follow.
By endorsing these common principles, I accept a moral obligation to behave in ways that contribute to a civil campus environment and resolve to support this behavior in others. This commitment to civility is my promise to the College for Creative Studies community.
Our Community
The College for Creative Studies represents a community composed of individuals with many perspectives, personal experiences, values, identities, and worldviews that recognize differences of culture and circumstance. Belonging is interlaced into our Mission, Vision, and Strategic Plan.
Student Organizations
Community Arts Partnerships
Design Core Detroit
Kresge Arts In Detroit
Academic Departments
Policy on Preventing and Addressing Discrimination, Harassment and RetaliationSexual and Gender-Based Harassment and Other Forms of Interpersonal Violence (Title IX Policy)
Employee Assistance Program-Ulliance
Community ResourcesAs always, please report any incidences of discrimination at CCS to Office of Civil Rights and Title IX mhamilton@ccsdetroit.edu
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Degree Programs
CCS offers a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in 14 majors, Bachelor of Arts in 1 major, Certification in Art Education, Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree and Master of Arts (MA) degree in 4 areas and Master of Professional Studies (MPS). In addition, the College offers Precollege and Continuing Studies courses for youth, adults, and high school students.
Bachelor Of Arts Degrees
The College offers a BA degree in Fashion Business Management.
Bachelor Of Fine Arts Degrees
The College offers a BFA degree in the following majors Animation, Communication Design & Strategy, Entertainment Arts-Concept Design, Fashion Design (Emphasis in Apparel or Accessories), Film, Game Design, Illustration, Interdisciplinary Art & Design, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design, Studio Art & Craft and Transportation Design. The BFA degree requires completion of 120 credit hours. Required major studio credits, general education credits and electives are indicated on the curriculum charts for each major. The certification in Art Education is available to interested students pursuing the BFA and requires 27 credits to complete (15.0 credits of the Art Education specialization can be attempted during the BFA, the remaining 12.0 credits can be attempted under the post baccalaureate program).
In addition to coursework in their chosen major, first-year students take courses in the Foundation Department, where they study drawing, 2D and 3D design, and an introduction to digital tools. Students in all majors also take courses in the Liberal Arts Department, designed to help them develop critical thinking skills and an understanding of the larger social and cultural context in which they live. Typical weekly schedules for full-time students comprise 24 studio hours and six academic hours.
Master Of Fine Arts
The College’s MFA degrees in Color and Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design & Media, Transportation Design and User Experience Design are terminal degrees that prepare students for leadership in the design industries. The MFA degree programs share core curricula, with variations in technology components, and the focus and content of industry sponsored projects.
The MFA degree requires completion of 60 credit hours and focuses on fostering critical thinking in a design context while keeping contemporary business reality in mind. CCS graduate classes are taught by industry leaders and an internationally recognized roster of visiting designers and artists with experience in design strategy, user-centric research, design execution and presentation, as well as entrepreneurial practices.
Master Of Arts
The 30-credit MA (initial degree) focuses on professional and technical skills and knowledge. MA programs are available in the following areas: Color and Materials Design, Design for Sustainability, Interdisciplinary Design & Media, Transportation Design and User Experience Design.
Master Of Professional Studies (Online)
The 30-credit MPS in User Experience Design (UX) is a fully online graduate degree program focusing on building students’ professional skills and understanding of the User Experience Design field. The program, designed for working professionals and students who have a need to balance their studies with life commitments, takes place one class at a time, consecutively over 18 months.
In these seven-week courses, students will gain practical skills in user-centered research, interface design, storytelling, data visualization and communication, culminating in a final project that is self-devised and aligned to career aspirations.
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Faculty 25-26
Advertising Design
- Susan LaPorte
- MFA, California Institute of the Arts
- BFA, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Philip McAvoy
- BA, Michigan State University
Art Education
- Amy Ruopp
- Ph.D., EDS, University of Missouri
- MAT, BFA, Maryland Institute College of Art
- Karen McGarry
- Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
- M.A.A.E, University of Cincinnati
- M.F.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
- B.F.A., Wayne State University
Communication Design
- Susan LaPorte
- MFA, California Institute of the Arts
- BFA, University of Illinois at Chicago
- Matt Raupp
- MFA, Eastern Michigan University
- BFA, Eastern Michigan University
- Chad Reichert
- MFA, Minneapolis College of Art and Design
- BSFA, Valparaiso University
Entertainment Arts
- David Bentley
- BFA, Brigham Young University
- Tim Flattery
- BFA, Center for Creative Studies
- David Gazdowicz
- MFA, Eastern Michigan University
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Josh Harrell
- MFA, University of Southern California
- BA, University of the South
- Chase Holton
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Steven Stanchfield
- Dylan Vanwormer
- BFA, Ringling College of Art & Design
Fashion Design
- Aki Choklat
- MA, Royal College of Art
- BA, Brigham Young University
- Rey Pador
- MA, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
- BA, Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
Film, Interdisciplinary Art + Design & Photography
- Shanna Merola
- M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art
- B.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
- Scott Northrup
- MA, The New School
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Eleanor Oakes
- MFA, Stanford University
- BFA, Princeton University
- Bill Valencenti
- BFA, Columbia College
Foundation
- Elena Arnaoutova
- MFA, Moscow Institute of Art & Industry
- BFA, Orst Art Institute
- Peter Dunn
- MFA, University of Michigan
- BFA, Wayne State University
- Jennifer Fitzpatrick
- MFA, Wayne State University
- BFA, University of Michigan
- Michelle Lannoo
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Joshua Mulligan
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Dan Stewart
- MFA, Eastern Michigan University
- BFA, The Ohio State University
Graduate Studies
- Ian Lambert
- Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
- M.A., Central St Martins College of Art and Design
- B.A., Birmingham Polytechnic
- Melanie McClintock
- MFA, College for Creative Studies
- BFA, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Raphael Zammit
- MFA, University of Cincinnati
- BFA, University of Michigan
- BS, Art Center College of Design
Illustration
- Gil Ashby
- MFA, School of Visual Arts
- BFA, School of Visual Arts
- Elizabeth Bauer
- MFA, University of Notre Dame
- BFA, Ringling College of Art and Design
- Don Kilpatrick
- M.F.A., University of Syracuse
- B.F.A., Utah State University
- Erik Olson
- MFA, Wayne State University
- BFA, Art Center College of Design
- Francis Vallejo
- MA, Savannah College of Art and Design
- BFA, Ringling College of Art & Design
Interior Design
- June Gardner
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Sandra Olave
- MFA, College for Creative Studies
- BFA, Universidad Autonoma Del Caribe
Liberal Arts
- Myrtle Brooks
- MBA, Madonna University
- BA, Sienna Heights University
- Lisa Catani
- Ph.D., MA, BA, Wayne State University
- Nancy Demerdash
- Ph.D., Princeton University
- M.A., Princeton University
- S.M.Arch.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
- James Garvey
- PhD, University College London
- MA, Michigan State University
- BA, Wake Forest University
- Laura Kovick
- MA, Eastern Michigan University
- BA, Central Michigan University
Product Design
- Greg Darby
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- John Kaloustian
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Anthony Reale
- B.F.A. College for Creative Studies
- Steve Schock
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- M.F.A., Wayne State University
Studio Art & Craft
- Valerie Jenkins
- MFA, University of Minnesota
- BFA, Grand Valley State University
- Chido Johnson
- MFA, University of Notre Dame
- BFA, University of Georgia
- Thomas Madden
- MFA, Bowling Green State University
- BFA, Kansas State University
- Jeremy Noonan
- MFA, Cranbrook Academy of Art
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Kimberly H. Scott
- MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- BFA, Rhode Island School of Design
- Claire Thibodeau
- B.F.A., Alfred University
- M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Tonja Torgerson
- MFA, Syracuse University
- BFA, University of Minnesota
Transportation Design
- Hojoon Kang
- BS, Art Center College of Design
- BS, St. Paul Rikkyo University
- David Smith
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Paul Snyder
- MFA, New York Academy
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Jason White
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Suven Young-Harper
- BFA, College for Creative Studies
- Susan LaPorte
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Faculty 26-27
Art Education
- Amy Ruopp
- Ph.D., EDS, University of Missouri
- M.A.T., B.F.A., Maryland Institute College of Art
- Karen McGarry
- Ph.D., University of Cincinnati
- M.A.A.E, University of Cincinnati
- M.F.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
- B.F.A., Wayne State University
- Allie Runyan
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
Communication Design
- Susan LaPorte
- M.F.A., California Institute of the Arts
- B.F.A., University of Illinois at Chicago
- Philip McAvoy
- B.A. Michigan State University
- Matt Raupp
- M.F.A., Eastern Michigan University
- B.F.A., Eastern Michigan University
- Chad Reichert
- M.F.A., Minneapolis College of Art and Design
- B.F.A., Valparaiso University
Entertainment Arts
- David Gazdowicz
- M.F.A., Eastern Michigan University
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- David Bentley
- B.F.A., Brigham Young University
- Josh Harrell
- M.F.A., University of Southern California
- B.A., University of the South
- Chase Holton
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Steven Stanchfield
- Dylan Vanwormer
- B.F.A., Ringling College of Art & Design
Fashion Design
- Aki Choklat
- M.A., Royal College of Art
- B.A., Brigham Young University
- Rey Pador
- M.A., Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
- B.A., Royal Academy of Fine Arts Antwerp
- Monika Sinclair
- M.B.A., Loyola University Chicago
- B.S., Michigan State University
Film, Interdisciplinary Art + Design & Photography
- Scott Northrup
- M.A., The New School
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Rachel Debolski
- M.A., The New School
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Shanna Merola
- M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art
- B.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
- Eleanor Oakes
- M.F.A., Stanford University
- B.F.A., Princeton University
- Bill Valencenti
- B.F.A., Columbia College
Foundation
- Elena Arnaoutova
- M.F.A., Moscow Institute of Art & Industry
- B.F.A., Orst Art Institute
- Emily Bommarito
- B.F.A., Wayne State University
- M.F.A, Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Peter Dunn
- M.F.A., University of Michigan
- B.F.A., Wayne State University
- Mariam Ezzat
- M.F.A., Johnson State College
- B.F.A., Wayne State University
- Michelle Lannoo
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Joshua Mulligan
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Dan Stewart
- M.F.A., Eastern Michigan University
- B.F.A., The Ohio State University
Graduate Studies
- Ian Lambert
- Ph.D., University of Edinburgh
- M.A., Central St Martins College of Art and Design
- B.A., Birmingham Polytechnic
- Melanie McClintock
- M.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- B.F.A., Virginia Commonwealth University
- Raphael Zammit
- M.F.A., University of Cincinnati
- B.F.A., University of Michigan
- B.S., Art Center College of Design
Illustration
- Don Kilpatrick
- M.F.A., University of Syracuse
- B.F.A., Utah State University
- Gil Ashby
- M.F.A., School of Visual Arts
- B.F.A., School of Visual Arts
- Elizabeth Bauer
- B.F.A., Ringling College of Art and Design
- Erik Olson
- M.F.A., Wayne State University
- B.F.A., Art Center College of Design
- Francis Vallejo
- M.A., Savannah College of Art and Design
- B.F.A., Ringling College of Art & Design
Interior Design
- Sandra Olave
- M.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- B.F.A., Universidad Autonoma Del Caribe
- June Gardner
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
Liberal Arts
- James Garvey
- Ph.D., University College London
- M.A., Michigan State University
- B.A., Wake Forest University
- Myrtle Brooks
- M.B.A., Madonna University
- B.A., Sienna Heights University
- Lisa Catani
- Ph.D., M.A., B.A., Wayne State University
- Nancy Demerdash
- Ph.D., Princeton University
- M.A., Princeton University
- S.M.Arch.S., Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- B.A., University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Laura Kovick
- M.A., Eastern Michigan University
- B.A., Central Michigan University
Product Design
- Greg Darby
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- John Kaloustian
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Anthony Reale
- B.F.A. College for Creative Studies
- Steve Schock
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- M.F.A., Wayne State University
Studio Art & Craft
- Valerie Jenkins
- M.F.A., University of Minnesota
- B.F.A., Grand Valley State University
- Chido Johnson
- M.F.A., University of Notre Dame
- B.F.A., University of Georgia
- Thomas Madden
- M.F.A., Bowling Green State University
- B.F.A., Kansas State University
- Jeremy Noonan
- M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Kimberly H. Scott
- M.F.A., School of the Art Institute of Chicago
- B.F.A., Rhode Island School of Design
- Claire Thibodeau
- B.F.A., Alfred University
- M.F.A., Cranbrook Academy of Art
- Tonja Torgerson
- M.F.A., Syracuse University
- B.F.A, University of Minnesota
Transportation Design
- Paul Snyder
- M.F.A., New York Academy
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Hojoon Kang
- B.S., Art Center College of Design
- B.S., St. Paul Rikkyo University
- David Smith
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Jason White
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Suven Young-Harper
- B.F.A., College for Creative Studies
- Amy Ruopp
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Graduate Minors (2026-2027)
FOOTWEAR DESIGN – 9 CREDITS
- CMD 619 FOOTWEAR DESIGN FUNDAMENTALS – 3 CREDITS
- CMD 621 INTERMEDIATE FOOTWEAR DESIGN – 3 CREDITS
- CMD 622 ADVANCED FOOTWEAR DESIGN – 3 CREDITS
SUSTAINABILITY & DESIGN – 9 CREDITS
- CHOOSE THREE COURSES – 9 CREDITS
- CLA 612 INTRO TO EARTH SCIENCE
- CLA 621 ZERO-WASTE DESIGN
- CLA 626 CLIMATE NARRATIVES
- CLA 631 CIRCULAR ECONOMIES
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Purpose and Goals
Purposes and Goals
The College strives to be a creative institution, consistent with its name and mission. To that end, it periodically examines itself through a strategic planning process that clarifies its purposes and articulates its goals for the future. The 2012 Strategic Plan identified, and the 2017 Strategic Plan reaffirmed, a vision and four principles that guide the College’s activities. Following are those vision and goals statements:
Vision
Through relentless creativity, we will educate students to be the best artists and designers in the world.
By expanding our collaborative commitment to quality, innovation, financial soundness, social responsibility and ethical practice, we will enhance the College’s contributions to our students and the community and assure its long-term vitality.
Guiding Principles
Student Experience
We will provide an exceptional supportive experience to all students at every touchpoint, to enable and encourage them to reach their highest potential.
Faculty/Staff
We will create an environment that attracts, supports, develops and inspires a world-class faculty and staff.
Programs
We will develop and sustain innovative academic programs to ensure CCS is always at the forefront of creative education and practice.
Social Responsibility/Community
We will expand upon our culture of engagement with diverse constituencies to enable our students, employees, alumni, partners and community to flourish.