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

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Fantastic Father’s Day with my love and our kiddo. #bestfamilyever

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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#happypride #columbuspride

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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#happyfathersday to the O.G. Dr. Corn!

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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THIS. NEVER. HAPPENS. Time to go home early. And no one email me over the weekend, ‘k? 😉 #workgoalsachieved

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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FBF: Had a great time last week at the GCAC Arts Festival Patton Party. Always a good time and a great way to kick off the summer! @artmakescbus

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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We had a great party a couple weeks ago to show our appreciation for the hard work of all the faculty and staff @ccadedu. So honored to be a part of the #ccadfamily. 📸by @tywwright #myccad #bestjobever #tbt

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Join me on Saturday, June 15, for [email protected] Support @ccadedu students while enjoying the Parade from a front row seat! Link in my bio. Sign up soon. Almost sold out!! #myccad #loveislove #lgbtpride

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Last weekend we had a great family chill out in FL. Spotted this big soft shell turtle cruising across the yard. Take a break from #pondlife. #familyvacay #turtlesofinstagram

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Just saw Symphonic Dances, the incredible first act of By Liang! Congratulations @edwaardliang and @balletmet #artmakescbus #balletmet

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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ICYMI: Columbus now bigger than San Francisco, Census Bureau says. (Not just bigger but better, Bay Area transplant Mel Corn says!) So glad I found my home here. I miss my CA peeps, but I’m loving my #lifeincbus! It’s a progressive, foodie, culture-rich city with friendly neighbors and a relaxed vibe, at half the price and stress of SF. #cbus #myccad #midwestliving (image by @alma.kim )

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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@julian_cornson and I had a blast recreating the famous unicorn cake. #nailedit #weekendfun #bakingchamps

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Chief Evangelist Nancy Kramer kicking it off at the IBM Global Design Leadership Summit. Excited for the design AND the dine!! #IBMdesignsummit ‬

3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Can’t wait for desserts ... oh, and @leslieodomjr at the @capacolumbus ‘s 50th anniversary gala! #artmakescbus #capacolumbus
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Julian was “Hank” in the 5th grade play. Everyone was fantastic, but, of course, J was extra-fantastic!! Loved watching his adorable expressive face. #midwestliving #westwardho
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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When the nouns are disappearing and breaking down so quickly, how do you teach interaction design? Focus on the verbs! — Kristian Simsarian, CCA professor and designer. Thank you, Kristian for sharing your experiences with us here @ccadedu!
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Another incredible collection from the 2019 @ccadedu Fashion Show — designs by Tracy Powell. #myccad #ccadfashionshow @gogirlflyfree
3 years ago

melanie_corn

Congratulations to Kristen Wyant, @ccadedu Fashion Department Outstanding Senior, and all the amazing graduates who showed their work last Friday! #myccad @theclamkristen
3 years ago

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#artmakescbus #publicart
3 years ago

Melanie_Corn

RT @Melanie_Corn: About to head onto stage for commencement — @CCADedu ‘s 140th class!!! Congratulations graduates! 🥳🤩 t.co/CgpSoS0…
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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About to head onto stage for commencement — @ccadedu ‘s 140th class! Congratulations graduates!! 🤩🥳
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Congratulations to the @ccadedu Outstanding Seniors and Valedictorian! #myccad #ccadlasts #bestjobever
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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@chromaccad was awesome tonight! Incredible weather. Amazing work. Fantastic crowd. Congrats to all the @ccadedu students!
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Congrats to the CCAD Student Agency (our fabulous in-house design group) for their incredible work! I love everything you do for @ccadedu. #myccad #ccadstudentsatwork
3 years ago

melanie_corn

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Julian is CEO of Greater Columbus Arts Council for @jacentralohio #biztown today. #soproud #artscareers #bestdressedceo @tomkatz65
3 years ago