Ringling College Appoints Jeff Schwartz Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Undergraduate Studies

SARASOTA, Fla., Feb. 9, 2016 -- Ringling College of Art and Design recently announced that Jeff Schwartz has been name the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs & Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Mr. Schwartz began teaching at Ringling College in 1998 and went on to become the department head for the Illustration program in 2012. During his tenure, he has taught in the foundation program, facilitated the first year redesign (2008-12), served as a faculty associate to the VPAA (2008-2009) and the interim department head for the Fine Arts program, and chaired the 75th annual SECAC conference in the fall of 2014. He has also served on a number of search committees. Jeff has been active with AICAD and has presented at three conferences, including last fall, where he presented the Ringling College e-portfolio platform DRAW, which he developed. He is also active with NASAD as an official site visitor and is still serving as the interim department head for the Fine Arts program.

"For nearly two decades, Ringling has offered me a rich platform for growth as an educator and academic leader," says Schwartz. "I'm honored to have received the position of Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs & Dean of Undergraduate Studies, and look forward to continuing my tenure at this remarkable school. The support from colleagues has been humbling, and l and couldn't be happier to call Ringling home."

As the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Undergraduate Studies, Jeff will oversee Assessment, the Academic Resource Center, figure drawing models, the English as a Second Language (ESL) & Writing programs, and the first-year communities and courses. He will support the Vice President of Academic Affairs in the areas of institutional and curricular planning, student learning outcomes and curricula, accreditation compliance, academic advising and retention, and other support services including academic technology support and enrollment management.

"Jeff has a proven record of success at Ringling College and remains a dedicated faculty member," said Ringling College Vice President for Academic Affairs, Jeff Bellantoni. "He has a breadth of arts experience that will be invaluable to the College's ongoing success. I am extremely pleased that we were able to promote him to this position."

About Ringling College of Art and Design

For nearly 85 years, Ringling College of Art and Design has cultivated the creative spirit in students from around the globe. The private, not-for-profit fully accredited college offers the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in eleven disciplines and the Bachelor of Arts in two. The College's rigorous curriculum employs the studio model of teaching and immediately engages students through a comprehensive, first-year program that is both specific to the major of study and focused on the liberal arts. The Ringling College teaching model ultimately shapes students into highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. For more information please visit the Ringling College website at www.ringling.edu, follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter or call 941.351.5100.

A photo accompanying this release is available at:

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CONTACT: Rich Schineller
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