CCAD's classes inspire new leader

Melanie Corn came into her position at the Columbus College of Art & Design following the tumult of former President Denny Griffith’s death and the short tenure of his replacement, Tom White.

Nevertheless, she has come into her own as the leader of the college with the backing of faculty and staff members and students alike. She is passionate about creating art and about the Columbus community: She has a unique role in the Columbus Partnership through representing CCAD, and she thinks Columbus is the perfect place to begin a studio or an arts and design business.

Q: What was it like to make the transition from art historian to academic administrator?

A: All of a sudden being dropped into this magical world where every class is 10-12 students, it’s six hours long, sitting in a studio working with materials — I was really inspired by that and felt like I had the zeal of the newly converted. I thought, “Here is this place where teaching and learning happens in such a unique way that is really transformative.” You have students that are working collaboratively; they are learning through making.

Q: How have you benefited from being part of the Columbus Partnership?

A: Being a member of the Partnership is great for CCAD because it provides us access to 50 to 100 corporate leaders in the Columbus region, many of whom are employers of our alumni, all of whom benefit the strength of the arts and culture in Columbus to develop their