Pacific Northwest College of Art Appoints Dr. Christopher Maples as Interim President
August 06, 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, August 6, 2019
Contact: Lisa Radon, lradon@pnca.edu
Pacific Northwest College of Art Appoints Dr. Christopher Maples as Interim President
Tuesday, August 6, 2019 – Portland, OR – The Board of Governors of Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) today announced the appointment of Dr. Christopher Maples as Interim President, effective August 12, 2019. Maples comes to PNCA from Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) where he served as Interim Chancellor for two years. Previously, Maples spent eight years as President of Oregon Institute of Technology, during which time he formed deep ties to the Oregon community.
“We are pleased to welcome Dr. Maples to lead the college during this transitional phase,” stated PNCA Board Chair Scott D. Musch. “He offers a balanced approach to best business practices in higher education, alongside a foundational expertise in fundraising and enrollment strategies. Chris has the right set of experiences that will serve to support PNCA's current momentum and trajectory forward as we look for our new president.”
Maples replaces Kate Copeland, Vice President and Dean of Academic Affairs, who has been serving as Acting President following the departure of PNCA President Don Tuski. The Board is preparing to launch a national president search and expects to have a permanent president in place next summer in time for the start of the 2020-21 academic year.
“I am very pleased to be selected as the interim president for PNCA during the coming year. My overarching goals are to reinforce and advance the priorities of PNCA to establish a solid foundation for the next president, and to build upon PNCA’s ongoing momentum and success in enrollment and fundraising, while also assuring a dynamic, personalized student experience,” Maples said.
This announcement comes at a time that PNCA anticipates the second year of a record-breaking incoming class and follows the launch of its Low-Residency in Creative Writing program this summer, a BFA in Interactive Design to begin this fall, and seven new minors, including those for Fashion and Game. In addition, PNCA is working with former professors of Oregon College of Art and Craft to complete the teach out for their students on the PNCA Campus.
“We are looking forward to working with Dr. Maples to continue the recent momentum advancing PNCA’s educational priorities and leadership voice in art and design higher education,” stated Musch. "We are grateful to have his leadership during this transitional period to guide and support the College’s collective priorities of visibility, enrollment, and fundraising.”
Maples holds a Ph.D. and an M.S. in Geology from Indiana University, Bloomington and a B.S. in Geology from State University of West Georgia in Carrollton, Georgia.
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About Pacific Northwest College of Art
Founded in 1909 as the Museum Art School, PNCA has helped shape the region’s visual art and design landscape for more than a century. Today, PNCA offers 11 Bachelor of Fine Art programs in art and design, eight graduate programs including Master of Arts and Master of Fine Arts programs within the Hallie Ford School of Graduate Studies, a Post-Baccalaureate program, and Community Education courses for artists and designers of all ages. For more information, visit pnca.edu.