2025-26
CCA
IMPACT
REPORT
At the Miami University College of Creative Arts (CCA) in Oxford, Ohio, we are empowering creative minds to transform the world. CCA is Miami's center for a broad liberal education, intersecting with all forms of art and design to build a more innovative and beautiful tomorrow.
MiamiOH.edu/CCA
INSIDE INSIDE
1
I From the Dean
2
I The College of Creative Arts
3
I CCA: By the Numbers
4
I Degree Changes
5
I Miami Bands Bring the Hype
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I Performing Arts Series, Performances, Music, Exhibitions
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I Exemplary Educators, Staffers
17
I Faculty Focus
21
I Grants
23
I Career Ready
25 I Student Highlights 33
I Alumni Highlights
35
I Global Impacts
37
I Strategic Guidance
38 I Your Giving Impact 39 I Donor Highlights
40 I Support for Creative Innovation
MiamiOH.edu/CCA
ON THE COVER: Riley Johnson With the Art Department's mural course, which took place at Newport on the Levee, Miami student and Urbana native, Riley Johnson, leveraged this professional experience to launch “The Urbana Mural Project.” Read more.
Arts.MiamiOH.edu
FROM THE DEAN Dear Friends, Colleagues, and Champions of Creativity,
As I reflect on the past year, one word continually comes to mind: resilience. In an ever-evolving world, creativity remains our most vital tool for making sense of human experience, fostering connection, and driving meaningful societal change. Over the past twelve months, the College of Creative Arts has not only adapted to changing landscapes — we have actively shaped them. This annual impact report is a celebration of what happens when passion meets purpose. Across our departments — from visual art, design, and theatre to music, arts entrepreneurship, interactive media, and architecture — our students and faculty have pushed boundaries, challenged conventions, and enriched communities. This year was defined by extraordinary faculty/student achievement and measurable growth: Empowering the Next Generation: We awarded over $210,000 in scholarships, ensuring that financial barriers do not stand in the way of creative ambition. Community Engagement: Our public exhibitions, performances, and community workshops engaged more than 100,000 visitors, turning our campus into a vibrant cultural hub for the region. Creative Research and Innovation: Faculty and student researchers secured more than $460,000 in grants, launching multidisciplinary projects that bridge the gap between creative practice, technology, and social impact. Career Readiness: Our career services team was instrumental in helping 300+ CCA students get career ready. Major Renovation Project Underway: Thanks to a major 2023 gift from Richard and Carole Cocks, we are renovating the art museum, which is currently closed, with plans to reopen Fall 2027.
None of these achievements would be possible without the steady dedication of our faculty and staff, the innovative commitment of our exceptional career services team, the tireless energy of our students, and the generous support of our alumni and donors. Your belief in the transformative power of creative education fuels everything we do. As we look toward the coming year, our focus remains clear: expanding access to innovative technologies, deepening our community partnerships, and preparing our graduates to be creative leaders in a rapidly changing global landscape. Thank you for being an integral part of our creative community. Together, we are ensuring that creativity continues to inspire and transform lives. With warmest regards and gratitude,
Dean Ryan Fisher, Ph.D. 1
COLLEGE OF CREATIVE ARTS DEPARTMENTS Architecture and Interior Design
CENTERS
INSTITUTES Institute for Innovation in Arts and Design
Art Emerging Technology in Business and Design
Fashion Institute at Miami
Center for Community Engagement (OTR)
The Art Center
Music Armstrong Institute for Emerging Technology
Theatre
Led by Todd Stuart, the new Institute for Innovation in Arts and Design empowers students and the broader Miami community to engage with the arts and design as catalysts for innovation.
Led by Jamie Schisler, the new Fashion Institute of Miami is a central hub connecting students, faculty, staff, and industry partners. The Institute prepares our growing population of students to shape the future of fashion.
PERFORMING ARTS SERIES
Led by Glenn Platt, the Armstrong Institute for Emerging Technology supports cross-disciplinary research, creative inquiry, and educational programs focused on artificial intelligence, data analytics, and emerging digital design.
Led by Jeff Kruth, the Center for Community Engagement is a collaborative initiative between Miami University’s Department of Architecture and Interior Design and the Over-the-Rhine neighborhood in Cincinnati.
RICHARD AND CAROLE COCKS ART MUSEUM 2
CCA: BY THE NUMBERS
2025-2026
Empowering Creative Minds. Transforming the World.
Top 100
No. 24 Undergraduate game design program among public universities (#24 overall)
Graduate program in studio art ranked in the top 100 nationally (a 41.8% advancement in our rank)
Student Enrollment
Graduation
Undergraduates
31
60
98% Post-graduation success rate (Oxford Bachelor's Degree Recipients, 2022-2023)
Scholarships
395
2,518
710 Total Number of Events and Performances
Grants
Grants & Scholarships
$210K+
$460K+
Scholarships awarded to CCA students
Grant monies awarded to CCA faculty
Graduates
Graduate Students
Exhibitions
Performances
252,927
68
Exhibitions
20,000 (Est.)
Exhibition Visitors
14,000
(Est.) Attendees of Concerts, Recitals, Music Events, and Theatre Productions
Social Media
4,600
Instagram and Facebook Followers
662
LinkedIn Followers
LinkedIn launched in 2025.
Marching Band Home Football Game and Championship Attendees
566,000
Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl Game TV Reach
282.9K
@MiamiOHCCA
Views on Instagram
123.6K
Views on Facebook
3
DEGREE CHANGES 2025-2026
2026-2027
ARCHITECTURE AND INTERIOR DESIGN BA in Architecture
BA in Architecture (no change)
BFA in Interior Design
BFA in Interior Design (no change) ART
BS in Art Education
BFA in Art: Concentrations in Art Education and Studio Art
BFA in Studio Art BA in Art & Architecture History
BA in Art: Concentrations in Art History, Studio Art, and Fashion Design
BA in Studio Art BFA in Communication Design
BFA in Graphic and Experience Design
ARTS MANAGEMENT AND ARTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP (AMAE) BA in AMAE
BA in AMAE - NEW track in Entertainment Management EMERGING TECHNOLOGY IN BUSINESS + DESIGN (ETBD)
BA in ETBD: Digital/Applied
BA in Interactive Media & Design: Digital/Applied
BS in Games + Simulation
BS in Games + Simulation (no change) MUSIC
BA in Music: Tracks in Performance, Technology, and Music & Culture
BA in Music: Tracks in Music Production and Music Business
BM in Music Education
BM in Music: Concentrations in Music Education and Performance
BM in Music Performance BM in Composition
Closed out degree THEATRE
BA in Theatre
BA in Performing Arts: Concentrations in Theatre, Dance, and Entertainment Design 4
MIAMI BANDS BRING THE HYPE In March 2025, Miami University became the official education partner of the Cincinnati Bengals. The Miami University Marching Band performed in September 2025 at the Bengals’ home opener. In December, the Marching Band supported the Miami football team at the 2025 Snoop Dogg Arizona Bowl, which marked the RedHawks' second consecutive appearance in the game following their 2024 win.
“I feel like we bring a lot of hype.” - Senior Color Guard Captain Kaley Koch
Miami’s Pep Band helped celebrate the 20252026 winning seasons of the RedHawks men's and women's basketball and ice hockey teams. The women's team won the 2026 Mid-American Conference (MAC) Tournament, while the men's basketball team claimed the MAC regularseason title and made the NCAA Tournament First Four. The ice hockey team captured the Belpot Trophy in November 2025.
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PERFORMING ARTS SERIES Seraph Brass
Seth Myers
Mutts Gone Nuts
Robin Spielberg
Spamilton
Miami Choral Collective Concerts Electric Root Festival
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PERFORMANCES: THEATRE “What the Constitution Means to Me” Written by Heidi Schreck
“Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express” Adapted by Ken Ludwig
“By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” Written by Lynn Nottage
“Into the Woods” Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim Book by James Lapine
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PERFORMANCES: XR STAGE An Invitation to the Ball...An Evening of Opera Scenes in April 2026
One of the standout features of the Richard M. McVey Building is the Immersive and Reactive Lab, where students from the Emerging Technology in Business and Design program come together to develop and showcase their projects on the cutting-edge XR (Extended Reality) stage.
The Laptop Ensemble in December 2025
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MUSIC
Miami University was well represented at the 2026 Ohio Music Education Association (OMEA) Professional Development Conference. The Miami University Symphony Orchestra and Wind Ensemble were both selected to perform at the January 2026 event in Columbus, Ohio, through a blind peer review process. Daniel Farr, director of bands and assistant professor of Music, called the opportunity “incredibly gratifying.” The selection for the OMEA conference followed the Wind Ensemble’s invitation to perform at the North Central Conference of the College Band Directors National Association in April 2026 in Ann Arbor, Michigan.
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On Halloween, Miami University brought a classic monster back to life in a way concert goers never experienced before with a Halloween concert by the Miami University Symphony Orchestra. The centerpiece of the evening was the 1931 classic horror film Frankenstein, projected on the big screen while the orchestra performed a thrilling new soundtrack by composer Michael Shapiro — live, in real time.
THE RIVER
Explore the video @MUGleeClub
In spring 2026 the Men's Glee Club released their first professional music video which features their performance of Susan LaBarr's choral piece "The River" accompanied by a bluegrass ensemble.
The Miami University Wind Ensemble (MUWE) was selected to perform at the College Band Directors National Association North-Central Division Conference at the University of Michigan in April 2026. “Our students really stepped up, and we had such a blast performing in the iconic Hill Auditorium,” said MUWE director Daniel Farr. 10
EXHIBITIONS EXHIBITI O NS Winners of the 2026 Winners 2026 Miami University for the $10,000 '36)) y Young Young g Painters Competition Competition p $ $10,000 William (Miami ( and Dorothy y Yeck Award were announced at a reception for the nine finalists in February 2026 in Hiestand Galleries. Galleries. known wn for for The winners were selected by competition juror and artist, Saya Woolfolk, an American artist artist kno her multimedia exploration exploration of hybridity, science, race, and sex. hybridity, science, This national competition for artists ages 25-35 celebrates the current trends in contemporary painting. The 2026 competition focused on nonrepresentational paintings.
“Fossil Re “Fossil 2025" Record, 2025"
“Altar, 2025" “Altar,
“When “W hen I’m Dead, Dead, 2025"
Hannah Keats, Tallahassee, Florida MFA, Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida BFA, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, Florida
Donny Nie, Galesburg, Illinois MFA, School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, Illinois BFA, Ontario College of Art and Design, Toronto, Canada
John Singletary, Brooklyn, New York MFA, University of CaliforniaSan Diego, San Diego, California BFA, Baylor University, Waco, Texas
$2,500 2nd Place Award
$2,000 3rd Place Award
$10,000 Yeck Award
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In early January 2026 Jason E. Shaiman (pictured above left) assumed the role of interim director at the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM). Since joining Miami University in 2010, Shaiman — who holds degrees in Art History and Museum Studies from the University of South Carolina — has curated and managed more than 80 exhibitions. From January through June 2026, the RCCAM showcased two exhibitions: ”Rooted Here: Networks of Modern and Contemporary Art” (it’s 15th Art History Capstone Exhibition) and a special Ohio 250 grant-funded exhibition titled ”Culture Crops: Ohio’s Hidden Gardens and Secret Food Histories”, featuring works by Cincinnati-based photographer Tina Gutierrez examining the intersection of agriculture, heritage, and community in Ohio.
Work featured in “Rooted Here” exhibition: Philip Morsberger (American, 1933-2021), “The Sportsfield,” ca. 1960, Oil on canvas, Gift of the Artist, 1980.P.22.23
Work featured in “Culture Crops” “eehsenaamišipoohkiiyankwi” meaning “we harvest maple sap” in the Myaamia language. Members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma, Oxford, Ohio. Tina Gutierrez, 2025
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RCCAM
The Richar Richard d and Caro Carole C Co ocks Art Museum we welcome lcomed d visitors visitors back on Au August ust 26, 20 2025, 25, wit with h the opening w thr through ough of its ne new w fea featur tured ed exhi exhibition: bition: the Department p of Art Faculty y and Alumni E Exhibi xhibition tion.. On vie view Dece Dec ember 13, 20 2025, 25, this quadr quadrennial ennial e exhibition xhibition ccelebr elebraated the artis artistry try and inno innov vation of 39 facult faculty y and alumni whose wo work re repr presents esents the co continuing legac legacy y of Miami’s Miami’s Department of Art. Featur ature ed Artists Artists Current Curr ent F Fa acult culty: y: Amanda Alex Alexander ander,, Chris Christty Carr, Carr, Dennis Cheatham, Joomi Chung, Annie Dell’ Dell’Aria, Aria, Dilge Trrac acy yF Fe eathers athersttone one,, Jor Jord dan F Fe ent nton, on, Richar Richard dW W.. James, Jennif Jennifer er Pur Purd dum, Geoff Riggle Riggle,, R Rob ob R Robbins, obbins, Dilsiz, T Dana Saulnier Saulnier,, Ann E. T Taulbee aulbee,, R Ro osc scoe oe W Wilson, ilson, Jennif Jennifer er P Pearson earson Y Ya amashir mashiro o, Jon Ya Yamashiro mashiro Emeritus Fa Facu culty: lty: Larry Wins Winstton C Co ollllins, ins, Susan R. Ew Ewing, Jeannie Langan Heins, E. James Ki Killy lly,, Ellen Price Price, Stevens ens,, Robert Robert Wo Wolf lfe e Ron Ste Alumni: Chris Chrisssy C Co ollop llopy y, Da David vid Dotson, K Ka atherine JJ.. Fries, St Ste eve G Ga ars rst, t, Am Amy y Holmes Geor George ge,, John Hankiewicz, Kell, ell, T Trravis Lin Linville ville,, Hannah Litt, Br Brent ent P Paayne, ne, K Kaatrina Shaf Shafor or,, Bill Billy y Simms, Sarah-F Sarah-Faith aith Hankiewicz, Anna K Strait Str ait,, Nico Nicole T Trimbl rimble e
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EXEMPLARY EDUCATORS, STAFFERS
Stephanie Danker
Ashley Goos
Rod Northcutt
Todd Stuart
2026 University Outstanding Professor Award Miami’s Associated Student Government (ASG) announced Stephanie Danker — associate professor of Art Education — as the winner of the 2026 Outstanding Professor Award. The award, managed by ASG, provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to recognize a faculty member who has had an exceptional impact on their Miami experience. These CCA professors were among the top 14 other nominees: Ashley Goos, assistant teaching professor of Theatre and director of Dance. Rod Northcutt, associate professor of Studio Art. Todd Stuart, associate teaching professor of Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship (AMAE) and director of the Institute for Innovation in Arts and Design.
2026 P.R.I.D.E. Staff Award These four CCA staffers were honored with Miami P.R.I.D.E. Awards for outstanding Performance Resulting In Distinguished Excellence (P.R.I.D.E.) at Miami University: Gretchen Baer, data and planning analyst, Dean’s Office Cristy Betz, administrative assistant, the Department of Music Erin Heil, administrative assistant, Art Center and the Department of Art Krista Stenger, administrative assistant, AMAE and the Department of Theatre
Gretchen Baer
Cristy Betz
Erin Heil
Krista Stenger 14
Artie Kuhn The Crossan Hays Curry Distinguished Educator Award honors outstanding faculty in CCA who have blended creative and scholarly achievements to the advantage of student learning. Our 2026 Curry award winner was Artie Kuhn, teaching professor in Emerging Technology in Business and Design.
Siok Lian Tan
Siok Lian Tan, professor of piano, was named a Music Teacher National Association (MTNA) Foundation Fellow during the 2026 MTNA national conference held in Chicago in March 2025.
May Khalife May Khalife, assistant professor of Architecture and Interior Design, was one of three recipients of the New Faculty Teaching Award from the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. The award is given in partnership with the American Institute of Architecture Students.
Tammy Kernodle Tammy Kernodle, distinguished music professor, was named an Honorary Member of the American Musicological Society.
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The Miami University Symphony Orchestra (MUSO), under the direction of Ricardo Averbach, achieved a historic milestone by placing in four distinct categories of the American Prize. This achievement marks the first time an orchestra has placed in four categories within the same season: 1st Place: Orchestral Performance (College/University Division) 2nd Place: Orchestral Conducting (Ricardo Averbach and MUSO) 2nd Place: Orchestral Composition (Professional Division) 3rd Place: Bacon Memorial Award for American Music Performance (College/University Division)
Ricardo Averbach directs MUSO
Stephanie Danker was awarded the 2025 Kathy Connors Teaching Award by the Coalition for Feminisms in Art Education.
Stephanie Danker
Luke Meeken received the Ohio Art Education Association Higher Education Division Award.
Amanda Alexander Amanda Alexander, chair of the Department of Art, earned the 2026 National Edwin Ziegfeld Award from the United States Society for Education through Art for distinguished leadership in the fields of art education.
Luke Meeken
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FACULTY FOCUS
Violin professor Harvey Thurmer proposed an idea to Kinesiology professor Mark Walsh that sparked an interdisciplinary partnership between music and movement. Together, they are mapping violinists’ playing techniques to prevent overuse injuries and improve performance habits.
Aaron Pergram
Harvey Thurmer
Music professor Aaron Pergram’s new album "The Dragon Dream" – released in fall 2025 – showcases virtuosic music of the bassoon, electronics, and traditional Chinese instruments.
Kristina Fox, Myaamia education coordinator, along with Miami University professors Stephanie Danker and Luke Meeken, were published in the Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education. Their article titled “Collaboratively Teaching Myaamia Color Systems and Contemporary Digital Practices within a Reciprocal Partnership” examines how teaching future art teachers about Myaamia color systems and digital art can change the way they think about Indigenous cultures.
Stephanie Danker, Kristina Fox, and Luke Meeken
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CCA professors Richard W. James (Ceramics), Youngaah Koh (Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship), Aaron Pergram (Music) and Adam Strantz (jointly-appointed in the departments of Emerging Technology in Business + Design and English) were promoted to associate professors.
Richard W. James
Youngaah Koh
Aaron Pergram
Adam Strantz
“Our faculty members are at the heart of our success.” - Dean Fisher
Per Bloland Per Bloland, professor of Music Composition and Music Technology, released his latest album, “Shadows of the Electric Moon.” Bloland was promoted to full professor in March 2026.
Andrea Ridilla, professor of Music (Oboe) received a prestigious invitation to join with esteemed international cadre of double reed artists in a project funded by a grant from the Ministry of Education of the Czech government, as Andrea Ridilla part of a broader initiative by the Ministry of Education, to support education and research. The Double Reed Laboratory at the Faculty of Music, Janáček Academy of Performing Arts, aims to enhance research and development in the field of wind instrument performance. 18
“And then it was flowers” exhibition by Michael Stillion, associate teaching professor of Art, was on view from April 24 until August 30, 2026, at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in Cincinnati, Ohio. Stillion also participated in a fireside-style discussion at The Artist’s Table at CAC.
Robin Heinsen
Michael Stillion
Robin Heinsen, assistant professor of Music Education, presented at the Psychonomic Society Annual Meeting in November 2025.
A scene pictured here shows “Convening Stories at the Crossroads,” a cross-disciplinary art installation showcased at Venice’s Palazzo Mora in October 2025 as part of the European Cultural Centre’s Time Space Existence exhibition during the 2025 Venice Biennale. The artist, choreographer, and curator are all Miami faculty: Diane Fellows, professor of Architecture and Interior Design; Ashley Goos, assistant teaching professor of Theatre and director of Dance; and Annie Dell’Aria, associate professor of Art History.
Ashley Goos performs
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Annie Dell'Aria, associate professor of Art History, wrote the chapter “Masstransiscope: Experimental Film for the Masses” in the book “Invisible Fisherman: The Art of Bill Brand.” Dell’Aria also welcomed Bill Brand as a visiting artist where he restaged “Pong Ping Pong,” an expanded cinema performance he brought to Western College in 1972 in Sawyer Hall.
Liz Martin-Malikian Liz Martin-Malikian, chair and professor of Architecture and Interior Design, was appointed to serve in two prestigious statewide leadership roles. Within the American Institute of Architects (AIA), she will serve as the schools director on the AIA Ohio Board and as the chair of the leadership committee for the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture.
Annie Dell’Aria
Jeff Kruth speaking to community members Jeff Kruth, associate professor of Architecture, worked with the art-and-advocacy organization, Perfect City, and Princeton University to run an "Avoidance & Belonging" urban mapping workshop at the Center for Community Engagement in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine. They also worked with students and community partners in Dayton, Ohio, to help facilitate a neighborhood planning and community engagement process in the Westwood neighborhood.
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GRANTS
Pepper Stetler
Joomi Chung Joomi Chung, professor of Studio Art, was awarded $3,450 from Cincinnati nonprofit FotoFocus for her collaborative project “Unfolding Stories 2026: Stories from the RCCAM Collection” which will be included in the 2026 FotoFocus Biennial: The Long View.
Matt Omasta (center) with Miami President Gregory Crawford and Provost Christopher Makaroff
Pepper Stetler, professor of Art History, received a grant from the Thomas Foundation to fund an expanded curriculum for the Access Miami Program, known as AMP. The enhanced program pairs traditional Miami students with adults with disabilities, offering disability studies coursework, electives from Access Miami Faculty Fellows, campus internships, and practical career readiness. For Stetler — author of the 2024 book “A Measure of Intelligence: One Mother’s Reckoning with the IQ Test” — the mission is personal. Her daughter, Louisa, participated in AMP’s art studio.
Matt Omasta, chair and professor of Theatre, was awarded a $300,000 contract to evaluate a national touring theatre program and was among the distinguished faculty and staff recognized during the 2026 Miami University Awards Celebration. Omasta was honored with Miami’s Excellence in Research and Innovation Award for his outstanding scholarly contributions and dedication to advancing theatre research and education.
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Patti Liberatore, director of the Performing Arts Series, received $25,145 from the Ohio Arts Council for the 20252026 Performing Arts Series Season.
May Khalife and Mary Ben Bonham
Architecture and Interior Design faculty members May Khalife and Mary Ben Bonham were honored with the Architecture Research Centers Consortium Research Incentive Award. The $10,000 grant will support their project, "Revisiting the Ten Shades of Green: Toward a Contemporary Ecological Architecture Paradigm."
Patti Liberatore
Jeff Kruth, assistant professor of Architecture, received $5,000 from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation to support the "Storefronts Community Arts Collaborative." The initiative brought community members together in an Over-theRhine pocket park for a theatrical performance celebrating the inherent value of historically overlooked spaces, people, and urban landscapes.
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CAREER READY CCA career liaison Madeleine Hood of the Center for Career Exploration and Success (CCES) and Taylor Conteh, former associate director of employer relations, were instrumental in helping 300+ Miami students get career ready! Career Trek: 50 Miami students, including many with majors in CCA, visited several Cincinnati-area employers during the Arts in Action: Cincy Spotlight – Career Trek Trip. The day-long trip to the Queen City inspired students and opened their eyes to new career possibilities. An “‘aha moment’ where they realize what’s possible,” said Hood.
Madeleine Hood
Creative Career Day: 200 aspiring creatives from across campus participated in Creative Career Day in the Armstrong Student Center. Creative Careers Uncovered: 52 students participated. CCA majors represented in the room were Architecture, Art, Art History, Art Education, Art Therapy, Arts Entrepreneurship, Arts Management, Communication Design, Emerging Technology in Business + Design, Games + Simulation, and Theatre.
CCES’s framework for student career readiness: On-campus interviewing Employer-hosted events (virtual and on-campus) Interview pre-nights, information sessions, tabling Mock interviews Job shadow experiences Programming, panels, presentations Miami Alumni Connect Career treks Career Partners Program Career fairs The Hub
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29 CCA students, faculty, and staffers enjoyed a three-day immersive experience at Glenstone Museum in March 2026 in Potomac, Maryland. From exploring 200+ acres of "living galleries" to hearing from museum professionals about their unique career paths, they got a behind-the-scenes look at where art meets landscape and learned what’s possible in the creative world.
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STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS
Ryan Jeansonne
Isa Obradovich
Max Kaufman
CCA students Ryan Jeansonne, Isabella “Isa” Obradovich, and Max Kaufman were among 23 Miamians honored with 2026 President’s Distinguished Awards. Jeansonne received the Service Award for his outstanding leadership and service to CCA and the campus community. Obradovich and Kaufman received the Student Scholar Award, a prestigious recognition that highlights their exceptional scholarship, creative work, and contributions that carry a distinct national impact.
Amber Tretter and Zoe Cowles
Tretter and team after their MAC win
During the fall semester, junior Architecture students Amber Tretter and Zoe Cowles presented an affordable housing design proposal to a panel of experts. Off the presentation floor, Tretter also celebrated a winning season with the RedHawks women’s basketball team. In March 2026, they won the Mid-American Conference (MAC) women's basketball tournament at Rocket Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. 25
Second Place: Waiting for a Visitor — Lia Pistole First place winner Cora McNeill and second place winner Lia Pistole in front of McNeill’s Chairs at the Table
Third Place: Edges Across Time — Penny Yan
The Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM) and Miami’s Department of Art hosted the Student Response Exhibition (SRE) Bridging Generational Gaps in the fall and awarded cash prizes to students Cora McNeill, Lia Pistole, and Peixuan “Penny” Yan through the generosity of the RCCAM Membership Committee.
2026 Planning Committee
SparkFest — Miami’s annual student-run creative block party — returned for a fifth year in April 2026, and it was bigger than ever, with over 150 students showing off their talents.
50 booths + 10 performances
Jordyn Pryor, a senior majoring in Games and Simulation, was awarded $2,500 from the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar Program. The award helped fund Pryor’s study abroad studies at Konkuk University in South Korea. 26
Miami students competed against 177 peers from across the state at the Ohio National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) competition. The following students were honored: 1st Place, 1st-Year Musical Theater – Ali Lewis 1st Place, Advanced Classical – Lucas Spencer 2nd Place, 1st-Year Classical – Katie Hartley 2nd Place, 2nd-Year Classical – Natalie Klug 2nd Place, 4th-Year Classical – Molly Stein 3rd Place, 2nd-Year Classical – Michaela Sweis 3rd Place, 3rd-Year Classical Tenor, Baritone, Bass – Will Loudon 3rd Place, 3rd-Year Classical Treble – Anna Voss 4th Place, Advanced Classical – Katie Feduccia Honorable Mention, 1st-Year Classical – Cate Mazzella
Jack Nomina Winning Miami's concerto competition earned Jack Nomina, principal oboe of the Wind Ensemble and Miami University Symphony Orchestra, the opportunity to perform a solo piece accompanied by the orchestra in March 2026. Nomina, a Mechanical Engineering and Music Performance double major and May 2026 graduate, will remain at Miami as he works toward finishing his master’s degree.
Voice professor Alison Acord (left) and students
In November 2025 six Art Education students presented at the 2025 Ohio Art Education Association (OAEA) Conference in Columbus, Ohio. Senior Ellen Long placed first and was awarded the OAE Foundation Preservice Scholarship ($3,000). Miami faculty member Luke Meeken received the Higher Education Art education students Division Award.
and faculty at OAEA
Ellen Long 27
The Rural Arts Development (RAD) Project, under the leadership of CCA student Skylar Stapleton (pictured waving), continues its mission of supporting rural arts organizations in Southwest Ohio. In a collaboration with associate teaching professor Erin Hoppe (pictured in the forefront), the group presented a strategic visibility plan to the Adams County Arts Council. This partnership exemplifies RAD’s commitment to communitybased consulting and professional arts management.
Supported by associate professor Youngaah Koh and Meleca Creative Advisors, 14 Miami University students presented research on public art's local impact to the Oxford City Council and Public Arts Commission of Oxford (PACO) in April 2026. The presentations were met with overwhelmingly positive responses from local legislators and PACO members and prompted city leaders to discuss future cultural planning and consider adding a student position to PACO to coordinate future partnerships and maintain momentum for Oxford's public art initiatives.
Miami seniors partnered with Enjoy Oxford to design sustainable tourism and community engagement projects. Enjoy Oxford plans to implement these ideas to boost long-term connection among residents, visitors, and students. 28
Murals, Murals, Murals Oxford, Ohio: What began in fall 2024 as a request from Newport, Kentucky, to help beautify the city has blossomed into a multi-city creative partnership with Miami’s Art Department. Led by assistant teaching professor Michael Stillion, students took full ownership of the project—handling everything from initial conceptualization to the culminating mural installation. This project was done in partnership with Oxford’s Public Arts Commission with support from Duke Energy. The second half of the wall will be completed next spring.
Urbana, Ohio: The Art Department's mural class at Newport on the Levee, structured as a formal course where students function as a professional art firm, helped Arts Management and Arts Entrepreneurship student and Urbana native Riley Johnson transition into a lead visionary role for a community-driven public art initiative. He went on to complete a 1,300-square-foot public artwork in his hometown of Urbana, Ohio, which earned recognition in the Murals Across Ohio program and placed in the top three of Zibra Paint’s nationally ranked Golden Brush Awards.
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MFA artists The States of Becoming: 2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition at the Contemporary Arts Center (CAC) in Cincinnati, Ohio, showcases the work of Master of Fine Arts (MFA) candidates from Miami University and the University of Cincinnati.
Bubly Barna
Meet our Miami MFA students and their works: Bubly Barna ~ “the body between us (4),” 2025, Handstitched soft sculpture, dimensions variable.
De-Graft Boateng
De-Graft Boateng ~ De-Graft Boateng, “Ethereal Enchantment,” 2024, Brass, 25x27 in. Noelle Hemrich ~ “December 7, 2024,” 2025, Oil on canvas, 48x36 in.
Fatemeh Shekarforoush ~ “Groundless,” 2026, Mixed media acrylic sheets, 60x50 in.
Noelle Hemrich
Their works, which focused on the forces that shape individual identity, were exhibited Feb. 20 through March 22, 2026 and featured diverse media, including ceramics, paintings, and photography.
Images courtesy of CAC.
Fatemeh Shekarforoush
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Costume and Fashion Design Ren Betz
Three CCA students won national and international-level awards for costume-fashion design. Theatre major Ren Betz won the Lin Conaway National Partners of the American Theatre Design Award for Costume Design from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival.
Janel Bartee
Tatiana Fecowycz
Student designers Janel Bartee and Tatiana Fecowycz placed as finalists in the Association of Sewing and Design Professionals International Student Design Challenge. Bartee won first place with a lapel-topped, faux leather corset. Fecowycz’s ensemble, a combination of thrifted denim, hand-stitched daisy pleating, and a red, white, and blue theme, earned a finalist spot among the six other contestants. 31
Following the show, two students were awarded $10,000 in Altman Institute for the Humanities Scholarship funds. Camille Keaty, a senior marketing and fashion student and MUF&D’s design co-director, was awarded $5,000 for most creative design, while Molly Forgach, a senior marketing student, was awarded $5,000 for most commercial design.
Camille Keaty
Molly Forgach
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ALUMNI HIGHLIGHTS
Baylee Schmitt Baylee Schmitt ‘23 won the 2025 Young Sculptor's Competition for the $10,000 William and Dorothy Yeck Award for her work “Oak Table and Chairs” (2023, crochet, yarn and wire). Robert A. Siebenaller '82, '84 was named the 2025 Architect of the Year by the Toledo Chapter of the American Institute of Architects for his 41year career focused on creating meaningful, wellness-centered spaces. His work spans healthcare, education, sustainability, teaching, and community leadership.
Caleb Adelman ’24, who majored in Emerging Technology in Business and Design, launched PILLARS, a civic engagement app that helps users know who they're voting for before they hit the polls. The idea to create the app got its start at the Techstars Startup Weekend in the Farmer School of Business.
Becca Borton at the National Fellowships Reception
Robert A. Siebenaller
Graduate student Becca Borton ’25 received a Fulbright grant offer to be an English Teaching Assistant in Poland. Borton, a current master’s student in History, majored in Integrated Social Studies Education and Political Science with minors in Music Theatre, History, and Spanish as a Miami undergraduate student.
Caleb Adelman 33
Leanna Renee Hieber and her book cover Bestselling author, actress, ghost tour guide, and Miami graduate Leanna Renee Hieber ‘01 (BFA in Theatre) visited Miami in the fall to discuss her co-authored book, “America’s Most Gothic: Haunted History Stranger Than Fiction.” Published in September 2025, the book explores North America's darkest folklore and includes a chapter on President Helen Peabody, a formidable 19th-century headmistress who, according to local legend, still keeps a watchful eye over her women's college in Miami’s Peabody Hall.
Amanda Dunne Acevedo, left, and Lindsey Barlag Thornton
Carolyn Sorg ‘24 has made history as the first female president of John Carroll University. Bringing a bold vision to the role, Sorg aims to reimagine the student journey through innovative design and service leadership. Her career — deeply rooted in student-centered strategy — perfectly illustrates the transformative impact CCA graduates are making at the highest levels of higher education.
Carolyn Sorg
Thanks to the generosity of hundreds of supporters, the Miami University Men’s Glee Club Alumni reached a major milestone in June 2025. They completed their 10-year March to a Million campaign – raising a collective $1 million for five donor-established funds that will continue to support Glee Club members for years to come. With more than 100 singers from all majors, the Glee Club performs a diverse repertoire and connects with an alumni network of 1,400 members across all 50 states and 10 countries.
Amanda Dunne Acevedo ’06 and Lindsey Barlag Thornton ’06 are two Miami University alumnae who have been collaborating since their days on campus 20 years ago. They established their Chicago-based artistic partnership, Genesis, to create performances that intentionally consider space and audience. Their latest project, "there are no dead people," had its New York premiere as part of the Lincoln Center Presents series in February 2026. 34
GLOBAL IMPACTS Creativity doesn’t stop at the state line. Our students study fashion in New York, art history in Italy, theatre in London, and more — all while staying on track to graduate in four years. These experiences deepen their craft and their confidence.
58 247
Study Abroad / Away Programs CCA Students Participating
19
Countries
Numbers above include travel programs that occurred Summer 2025 through Summer 2026.
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STUDENT LIFE AT MIAMI EXTENDS BEYOND OXFORD, OHIO. Students carry the spirit of love and honor with them for the rest of their life and use it to change the world. Miami University in Venice, Italy
London Interactive Design, U.K.
Miami University in Luxembourg
Inside Hollywood, U.S.
Entertainment Design: Innovation at Disneyland, U.S. 36
STRATEGIC GUIDANCE The CCA Advisory Board provides strategic guidance, specialized expertise, and networking, helping CCA leaders make better decisions about the future of the arts both locally (at Miami) and globally. Meet our newest board members:
Michael Frederick Architecture, BA 2006 Senior Associate Gensler, LA
Dion Graham Theater, 1985 Actor and Narrator New York, NY
Julia Rubio Music Education, 1999 Executive Director, National Association of Music Merchants Foundation Philadelphia, PA
Bailey Mincer Fine Arts, 2019 Art Director, Cleveland Cavaliers Cleveland, OH
Anthony Thompson Theater, 2018 TV Development, Hartbeat Los Angeles, CA
Scott Robinson Architecture, BA 1994 MFA, 2000 Principal, Populous Kansas City, MO
Janet Yenter Music, Voice Performance, 2001 Director of Community Engagement, International School of Denver Denver, CO
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YOUR GIVING IMPACT | By the Numbers Gift Donations and Commitments
$7,570,844 $6,031,102
$1,539,742
FY25
FY26
3,137
$2,413
No. of Donations and Commitments
Average Gift Size
Commitments by Type
Gifts In Kind 9%
Bequests 14%
Cash 77%
This information highlights data from financial contributions made July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026. 38
DONOR HIGHLIGHTS A special thank you to all of our generous donors. Because of YOU, CCA is cultivating its creativity and building a more innovative and beautiful tomorrow! Through a thoughtful gift in their trust, Ann and Jim Prock established the Ann and Jim Prock Marching Band Fund. As a Miami trumpet player, she found a community that resonated long after her final halftime show and graduation in 1975. This planned gift serves as a permanent investment in the traditions and relationships on the field,
Jim and Ann Prock
ensuring that the music — and the community it creates — never stops playing.
Miami is moving fashion forward thanks to the generosity of Miamians Lee ’68 and Rosemary
Jason T. Busch and Duane G. Middendorf
Holoviak Fisher ’69. Through the Fishers’ financial support, students in the Fashion Program within CCA will be able to enjoy experiential learning opportunities to advance innovation, industry engagement, and interdisciplinary learning.
Mentorship and academic flexibility at Miami helped Jason T. Busch ’96 build a nationally recognized career as a museum curator and director. Today, he and Duane G. Middendorf are giving back with a transformational gift to the Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum (RCCAM). The couple established the Jason T. Busch & Duane G. Middendorf Curatorial Director Support Fund,
which will fully endow and name the curatorial director position at RCCAM.
Rosemary Holoviak Fisher at the 2026 Allure fashion show
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SUPPORT FOR CREATIVE INNOVATION At CCA, state-of-the-art facilities and an innovative curriculum empower students to push traditional creative boundaries. By blending cutting-edge techniques with hands-on entrepreneurial experience, we prepare students to build successful careers in the evolving creative industries.
WAYS TO GIVE Annual gifts provide ongoing support for faculty and student research, visiting scholars and artists, workshops, and community outreach. Memorial and honorary gifts recognize an individual, organization, or cause by funding a program, scholarship, or annual event, such as a memorial lecture.
Endowments and planned gifts provide lasting support for the study of the creative arts at Miami University.
DONATE NOW
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Cultivate Your ur Creativity Creativvity