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: At @CCADedu we believe in the idea that #HealthyCreativity begets #CreativeExcellence. And, we’re not alone — science bel…
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Bought some new shoes at the @susanamadrid_sm pop-up a couple weeks ago @ccadedu. Showed them off later that week in LA. Got lots of compliments! I ❤️ 👞👢👠 #ccadalumni #myccad
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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#kittenpaws #peachesthecat #catsofinstagram
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Miss my fam, but not sad to be in LA weather for a few days! #NovemberinLA #worktrip #yesiknowglobalwarmingisbad
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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At the AICAD Board meeting today @otiscollege. Catching up with my former @cacollegeofarts colleagues. CCA President Stephen Beal did a pretty great job of creating a culture of mentorship and integrity in academic leadership that helped develop many AICAD leaders: President Sanjit Sethi @mcadedu, Exec Dean Rachel Schreiber @parsonsschoolofdesign, and me! 💕 #bestjobever @ccadedu
3 years ago

melanie_corn

#abovetheclouds #worktravel #LAbound
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Voting for the win! I didn’t just get a voting sticker this morning. I got a voting cookie!! #govote #votingmatters #democracymatters
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Susana Madrid Pop-Up Shoe Sale!! Tues, 11/5, 5-7pm, CCAD Canzani Center Lobby. Madrid is a @ccadedu alumna (Fashion Design, 2010) who moved to Italy and went on to start her own luxury shoe brand called Susana Madrid. Don’t miss your chance to see these gorgeous shoes!! Tell your friends! #myccad #ccadalumniworkinthecoolestplaces
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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My sweet boy. Halloween 2019 —>2010. ❤️💕❤️
3 years ago

melanie_corn

@tanner8026 and @julian_cornson love decorating for Halloween. Can’t say that I hate it! I made the pink flamingo vultures! #halloween2019 #midwestliving
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Community Arts Partnership Awards luncheon starting now! Always a great moment to celebrate with a few hundred of GCAC’s closest art-loving friends! #gcacawards #artmakescbus
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Love seeing @ccadedu on the @orange_barrel_media IKEs in the Short North! #myccad #artmakescbus #shortnorthartsdistrict
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Looking forward to being on this panel on Saturday as part of #tabooschmaboo from @idsa_ohc! Tickets still available.
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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I’d like to live here please! Had a great time wandering around the enormous space of @flowerchildcolumbus on Sunday afternoon! #midcenturymodern #midcenturymoderndreams
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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So proud of @opera.columbus for bringing As One to our city — get tickets now to this innovative work of art about a transgender woman’s journey! #artmakescbus
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Thanks, @ccicanine for bringing these adorable pups to campus! @ccadedu @ccicaninepuppy #myccad #cafesketch
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Another fantastic Friday at work. Double hit of cuteness with #cafesketch bringing Butterball the miniature horse AND therapy dogs in training to @ccadedu! #myccad #bestjobever
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Tool as art. Love this beautiful machine. #myccad
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Loved spending time this weekend with one of best friends ever. We’ve known each other for over 30 years! And, I had a fun time showing off C’Bus! #childhoodfriends
3 years ago

melanie_corn

Love my Friday afternoons when I have a chance to stop by #cafesketch and see what animals @bellandpixel has brought to campus! #myccad @ccadedu
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Should be a fantastic lunch panel.(Least for which because I’m on it!) 😊 Tickets still available. #cbusmakesart #operacolumbus
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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This fell off my chair. Somehow I don’t think that “all bolts, screws, and knobs” have been checked “at least every 4 months...” Anyone checking their chair bolts at least every 4 months?? #meetingponderings
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Great event for the @matriotsohio tonight! An incredible group of women (& their friends) supporting more fantastic women running for office in Ohio. 😊
3 years ago

melanie_corn

Judging the Battelle Costume Couture Fashion Show at #Highball2019 tonight. Just one of the eight awesome looks!! #artmakescbus
3 years ago