2024 – 2025 Friends & Donors Report
Your support makes our mission possible.
Your generous support allows MIAD students to shape their education and thrive. You provide essential resources and opportunities that lead directly to their achievements.
Proven Outcomes; Value-Driven Creative Excellence
A Message From MIAD’s President
We are surrounded today by discussions about the value of higher education. At MIAD, we are fortunate that we do not have to look far to experience the value of our programs, and the valued generosity of you, our donors.
Strengthened by your investment in MIAD, we invest, daily and strategically, in living the college’s Core Values of Courage, Integrity, Kindness, Community, Innovation and Inclusion. In doing so, we provide access to careers and community, with proven outcomes and a lifetime of value-driven creative excellence.
Thank you for your support of our mission, which allows us to pursue a purposeful path with confidence and hope.
Jeffrey Morin
MIAD President
“As a long-time supporter of MIAD, both my husband Eric and I feel that this institution brings a distinct experience to students. [F]or students to be able to engage in their education from a creative, entrepreneurial and innovative perspective – all students should have that opportunity.”
Deanna Tillisch, MIAD Board Chair, 2023–25
MIAD receives transformational Title III grant
The college was successfully awarded a transformative $2.42 million Title III grant from the U.S. Department of Education, centralizing MIAD’s award-winning Academic and Individual student services in a new Student Success Center and bolster staffing and professional development.
Pictured: MIAD’s forthcoming Student Success Center designed by RINKA+
Diverse gallery exhibitions celebrated personal narratives, cultural impact
MIAD’s professional galleries, the Brooks Stevens Gallery and Frederick Layton Gallery, MIAD’s 160 Gallery, and numerous engaged community partners and pop-up spaces celebrated the importance of making, sharing and community in 2024–25. From graduating students to visiting makers to iconic designers, MIAD exhibitions offered a rich look into the lives and practices of significant creatives, past, present and future.
“Lois Ehlert: A Creative Life” opened – the most comprehensive exhibition of the iconic children’s book illustrator, designer and Layton alum (’57). →
To celebrate its tenth anniversary, Plum Blossom Initiative (PBI) presented “Bridge Work: Ten Years of Making,” showcasing work by 23 of its 29 participants. Founded by MIAD Professor Jason S. Yi and curator Leah Kolb, PBI helps recent B.F.A. graduates launch professional studio practices. →
Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport unveiled the inaugural installation of MIAD student artwork –“Project Reframe” by Liz Geoffrey ’21 (Illustration) →
MIAD celebrated its 50th anniversary with exhibitions focused on iconic designer Brooks Stevens and his MIAD connection, fifty years worth of alumni work in “Of Our Time,” and a look at the college’s emeriti faculty who shaped the education of generations of MIAD graduates in “MIAD Pathsetters.” →
MIAD Youth Programs expanded, setting records & bolstering creative pipeline
MIAD’s yearlong Design Internship Program expanded further to 56high-school interns and 12 professional partners; 81% of the students were BIPOC. In 2024, a record 246 high school students attended MIAD’s Summer Pre-College Program; 46% were students of color.
MIAD by the numbers. 840 students enrolled. 100% of students receive financial aid, including scholarships. 35% of students self-identify as students of color. 43% of students received a Pell Grant. 7,152 volunteer hours were completed by MIAD students.
You Make Our Success Possible
With your support, our students, alumni and faculty have reached new heights of achievement and excellence. As they garner national, regional and local recognition, we steadfastly hone our strategic focus on enriching our students’ lives, personally and professionally, and the life of our shared community.
You make our success possible. Thank you for strengthening our present, and our future.
Tracy Milkowski
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
“I am excited to share that I will be the first of my siblings to graduate college, a milestone made possible by your generous support.”
Aniyah Marie-Roze Lapaul Harris (Siren) ′26
Fine Art + New Studio Practice
When resources and preparation converge, our students rise — proving that a MIAD education equips them to stand out in creative careers. Your support makes this possible.
Lubar Innovation Center flourishes
As part of its 2024–2025 client partnerships, the Milwaukee Art Museum entrusted the MIAD Lubar Innovation Center with the design of its high-visibility Art in Bloom campaign—an annual celebration of art, flowers and spring. The work of Kate Kasper ’26 (Communication Design) was selected for its vibrant connection to the event’s vision.
Celebrating National Honors
An unprecedented twelve students and recent MIAD graduates received 2025 honors from the national Society of Illustrators.
Pictured: Intan Zulkifli, “Muslin Mountains”
Events
2025 Creative Fusion, co-chaired by Amanda & Shantanu Singh and Laura Foote, raised more than $500,000 for student scholarships.
Events
More than 100 alumni attended the 2024 Alumni Reunion reconnecting with classmates, touring MIAD’s campus and participating in activities.
Visionary
The Milwaukee Arts Board named award-winning children’s illustrator, author and speaker Aaron Boyd ’93 (Illustration) an Artist of the Year.
Events
MIAD’s Holiday Sale showcased 120+ student and alumni creatives, and raised funds in support of participants and student scholarships.
Visionary
Professor Sarah Eichhorn, founder of MIAD’s inclusive Fashion and Apparel Design major, was named a BizTimes Notable Leader in Higher Education.
Awards
MIAD received the 2024 SMILE Award–Organization from Choose Mental Health, the national voice for children’s mental health, for the college’s commitment to students’ well-being.
Visionary
First product design intern, first full-time product designer and creator of a new product named for him – these are the Andis Corporation accolades of Fabian Rico Sanchez ’25.
News
Lauren Marvell ’16 (Integrated Studio Arts; Lauren Marvell Illustrations) was the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Grand Champion Fairtastic Artist for her hand-painted poster.