Search to begin for new dean of College of Imaging Arts and Sciences

After 12 years as dean of RIT’s College of Imaging Arts and Sciences, Joan Stone has accepted a new position as director for development of the Vignelli Center for Design Studies. Her new role began July 1.

Frank Cost has been appointed interim dean of the college while a national search begins for Stone’s replacement, says Jeremy Haefner, RIT provost and senior vice president for academic affairs. Cost is associate dean of the college and co-director of RIT’s Printing Industry Center. Cost ’87 (computer science) joined the RIT faculty as a visiting instructor in 1982.

“Under Joan’s leadership, the college has undergone significant advancement resulting in a substantial national presence,” says Haefner. “The faculty and students from CIAS, together with the undergraduate and graduate programs, have established national and international reputations that have fostered and enhanced RIT’s position within higher education. In addition, Joan has advanced the college strategically through a number of significant renovations to the physical infrastructure of the college, new academic program development and key faculty hires.”

The Vignelli Center for Design Studies will serve as a resource for students and scholars from around the world and provide space for the teaching of design including classrooms, archival storage, offices, and critique and exhibition space. The new facility, scheduled to open in spring 2010, will house the entire archive of renowned designers Massimo and Lella Vignelli.

The provost plans to have a search committee identified next month with hopes of having a new dean in place by August 2010.