Dr. Melanie Corn

Welcome to Columbus College of Art & Design.

We’re one of the nation’s top private art and design colleges, and we’ve been leading the way in educating a diverse group of talented students for more than 140 years. Here, you’ll be pushed to think, create, and work at the highest level. You’ll explore different media in our state-of-the-art facilities and grow from close mentorships with our world-class faculty. You’ll bring your ideas to life, and you’ll master the tools to change culture and business for the better.

Together, CCAD and Columbus are a powerful combination: CCAD provides the education, and the city provides networking opportunities that launch careers into both the local and international creative industries. Our strong alumni network and our partnerships help our students land jobs right out of college. In fact, 84 percent of our graduates were employed or involved in further education within six months of graduation in 2016. You’ll find our alumni all over the globe represented by top galleries, launching their own businesses, and working at all types of companies, including Abercrombie & Fitch, American Greetings, DreamWorks, Facebook, General Electric, Google, Nike, Paramount, and Pixar, just to name a few!

Come join us at CCAD. We can’t wait to see what you’ll do here.

—Dr. Melanie Corn, President 

Letters from Dr. Melanie Corn

 


 

Who is Dr. Corn?

Dr. Melanie Corn is the fifth president of Columbus College of Art & Design. Since joining the college in 2016, Dr. Corn has made significant progress on the dual goals of building a national reputation for the college and strengthening CCAD’s role as a leading cultural institution in the region. She has overseen the implementation of a three-year strategic plan, the construction of the new state-of-the-art Cloyd Family Animation Center, and an increase in new applicants and in overall enrollment at the college.

Dr. Corn makes connecting with students and graduates a priority, holding town halls, writing frequent letters to current students, and spearheading an annual alumni tour that includes stops across the country.

She is a member of the Columbus Partnership and serves on the boards of the Association of Independent Colleges of Art and Design, CBUS Retail, and the Washington Gladden Social Justice Park. Dr. Corn was a 2017 and 2018 finalist for the CEO of the Year award from Columbus CEO and a 2018 recipient of the Progressive Woman award from Smart Business.



Prior to joining CCAD, Dr. Corn spent 13 years in academic administration at California College of the Arts. She received her bachelor’s degree in art history from Stanford University, a master’s degree in art history from the University of California Santa Barbara, and a doctorate in higher education management from University of Pennsylvania.

After working in art and design education for more than a decade and a half, Dr. Corn is a fervent believer in the power of creativity. She loves her job because, as she frequently says, “No one’s mom ever made them go to art school,” meaning, of course, that CCAD students are intentional, hardworking, and passionate about their education.

As part of CCAD’s strategic plan, Dr. Corn helped to define the college’s institutional values—accountability, inspiration, positivity, and respect. Her vision for the future of the college includes adding new degree offerings and facilities to meet the needs of tomorrow's creative workforce and building on CCAD's long history of youth programming and community education with more professional development offerings for the thriving workplaces of central Ohio.

 


President's Report

CCAD's inaugural President's Report summarizes key information from the 2020–2021 academic year and shares details about our near-term plans. Read the report.
 


 

 


Check out Dr. Corn's Social Media feeds 

Melanie_Corn

RT @Melanie_Corn: “No one else can bring into being what YOU will bring into being as an artist or designer.” - @ccadedu Provost Julie Tagg…
1 year ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: We’re hosting a Pop-Up shoe sale on 10/7 @CCADedu for alumna Susana Madrid! Join us from 5-6pm in Canzani. A portion of t…
2 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: Who’s joining me for the @CCADedu drive-in next Wednesday night?? t.co/02510aewEg t.co/JVukyyrEdG
2 years ago

Melanie_Corn

RT @Melanie_Corn: Check out my letter to the editor on how we need to work together to bring about the next great cultural moment in our hi…
3 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: It’s time to shop! The CCAD Art Fair is live! Shop Now-Sunday. Just go to t.co/0x3vx2mz0I. All proceeds go direct…
3 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: The 1st wk of @CCADedu classes has ended, & as is tradition, I’ve written a Dear Students letter to welcome everyone back…
3 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: Yesterday, ICE rescinded their policy barring from the US international students in a fully online curriculum. But I want…
3 years ago

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Cleaned the garage this weekend. Found these old collages I had made of baby shower cards for Julian. Hard to believe he’s 12!
3 years ago

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Your gift can make a big difference to our diverse student body @ccadedu , especially the roughly 40% of our students who are the first in their family to attend college. During the Big Give, your donation to CCAD’s scholarship fund through Columbus Foundation’s Giving Store will be boosted by a $1.5 million bonus pool provided by the @colsfoundation and partners. Plus, thanks to CF, 100% of your support will go to CCAD scholarships. Imagine the impact! Link to donate in bio. #myccad #biggive
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Today I shared a letter with @ccadedu students focused on the specific actions we would be taking to ensure CCAD is a more equitable, inclusive, and just home for ALL of our students. You can read the whole letter on our website (link in my IG bio).
3 years ago

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Proud to join the fight for racial justice in our city at this afternoon’s Citywide Prayer Gathering.
3 years ago

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#saturdaymorningview
3 years ago

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Loving this shot! Thanks @orange_barrel_media for supporting this important campaign. Central Ohio students? Stick close to home this year. Live local, learn local. #myccad 📸 by OBM.
3 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: So proud of our @CCADedu writers! t.co/XzadinXLBP
3 years ago

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The @ccadedu virtual exhibitions — Chroma 2020: Best of CCAD and MFA Thesis — are now open. Check out the outstanding work of our students and new alumni. #myccad #ccadlasts
3 years ago

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Had a great long weekend with hot weather, crafting, cooking, family, and a bit of the outdoors.
3 years ago

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RT @Melanie_Corn: Proud to join my fellow central OH presidents to encourage our community to attend one of the many incredible colleges an…
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Proud to join my fellow central Ohio presidents to encourage our community to attend one of the many incredible colleges and universities right here. Are you worried about being far from home? Wanting to stay close to family? Live Local & Learn Local. Your options are plentiful. #myccad #livelocallearnlocal
3 years ago

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Not the best food photography, but I baked my favorite cake last week —butternut cake — and I just had to show you the delicious, cinnamony, moist layers. #yummy #saditsgone
3 years ago

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All’s quiet on campus @ccadedu, but we’re hard at work planning for the fall. #myccad #creativeproblemsolvers #creativecampus 📸📸@tywwright
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Handsomest puppy around! #puppiesofinstagram #bernedoodle #minibernedoodle #biscuitthebernedoodle
3 years ago

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Copper and Biscuit are becoming buddies, though that often means Biscuit awkwardly standing and laying on top of Copper! But, thankfully Copper has mostly given up on the idea of getting rid of the annoying new addition. #biscuitthepuppy #copperthedog #puppiesofinstagram #minibernedoodle #bernedoodle #cockalier
3 years ago

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#savedabee #doingmypart
3 years ago