For Families
Supporting your student’s success.
Welcome to the MIAD Family Forum, a reflection of both your and our commitment to ensuring your student’s academic and personal success.
Just as college is an exciting time of transformation for your student, it also marks a transitional milestone in your life. We recognize, and applaud, the pivotal role you play in your student’s life, and want to connect you with the information and resources you need to continue to do so.
At the same time that we encourage you to remain engaged in your student’s life, we also recognize that students succeed best in their journey toward becoming responsible adults and professionals when parents provide support as coaches and mentors, rather than as problem-solvers.
We hope you’ll use this website and our blog to help guide you in your role, and to learn more about how you can partner with us by directing your student to MIAD’s renowned campus resources and staff. The entire MIAD community is here to support your student’s natural ability to apply creativity, talent, knowledge and skills to new questions, experiences, and fields. Of course, if you have a concern, staff welcome your questions as well.
We also look forward to keeping you abreast of news throughout what promises to be a transformational year at MIAD.
Jeff Morin
President
Academic Advising →
Check out tips for success and resources for you and your student.
Careers in Art & Design →
Explore career prospects, resources and alumni successes.
Finances →
Learn more about financing a MIAD education.
Well Being and Safety →
MIAD takes pride in providing a safe and secure environment for all students, staff, faculty and visitors.
Life Beyond the Studio →
MIAD offers opportunities to enrich students’ college experiences beyond the classroom.
News
Keith Negley: Award-winning illustrator and writer
When award-winning illustrator and author Keith Negley ’00 isn’t completing projects like his most recent book of “forgotten trailblazers,” he’s creating portraits of celebrities like Taylor Swift, Emma Stone and Chelsea Clinton, and doing editorial illustrations on topics like neurodivergence, organ transplants and the opioid crisis.
Two MIAD alumni named Mary L. Nohl Fellows for 2025
Two alumni from the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) have received Emerging Artist fellowships from the 2025 Mary L. Nohl Fund for its 2025 cycle: Margaret Griffin ’23 (Fine Art + New Studio Practice) and Open Kitchen, co-founded by Rudy Medina ’12 (Integrated Studio Arts).
FYE Juried Media Arts Festival 2024 celebrates first-year student works
Seven students received awards at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design’s juried FYE Media Arts Festival – an in-house screening and celebration of video, animation and sound design works by current and former First-Year Experience (FYE) students held on November 26. The 56 entries were judged by multimedia and filmmaking professionals Emma B. Barany, Gabe Leistekow and Sara Sowell.
MIAD professor brings love of branding to projects and students
Brian Bowles ’01, professor of Communication Design at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD), finds freelance projects “deeply fulfilling” and beneficial to himself and to his students.
Independence First and MIAD students produce adaptive clothing
Students in a junior-level Fashion and Apparel Design class at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design (MIAD) collaborated with Independence First to design adaptive clothing. Two Independence First employees worked closely with MIAD students on customized outfits specific to their needs and preferences.