CCS alumna and Trustee Molly Valade and her husband Mark Valade established the Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft.
The College for Creative Studies (CCS) is thrilled to announce a commitment to endow the position of Chair of Studio Art & Craft. The Valade Family Endowed Chair in Studio Art & Craft will ensure ongoing support for the College’s Studio Art & Craft Department, one of CCS’s most historic programs.

This transformative commitment reflects CCS alumna and Trustee Molly Valade’s deep connection to and belief in the legacy and importance of the Studio Art & Craft program, as well as her enduring belief in the power of a CCS education. Molly graduated from CCS’s Fine Arts program (now Studio Art & Craft) and has served on the College’s Board of Trustees since 2008, in addition to serving on CCS’s alumni council for 13 years. Over the years, her engagement with students, faculty, and staff has strengthened the program’s creative and academic environment, and this gift will ensure that impact continues into the future.

“Studio Art & Craft has been at the heart of CCS for more than a century,” said Don Tuski, President of the College for Creative Studies. “The establishment of this endowed chair will help ensure the department continues to evolve, inspire new generations of artists and makers, and expand opportunities for innovative studio practice well into the future.”

Founded in 1906, CCS, then The Society of Arts & Crafts, integrated rigorous courses with the progression of the art and design movements and world-class, contemporary exhibitions. Since its inception, the Studio Art & Craft program has carried on this tradition while continually building on this foundation and legacy. In 2026, the program is still rooted in traditional techniques, now enhanced by contemporary processes and innovative technologies. The department currently enrolls undergraduate students exploring the disciplines of Ceramics, Drawing, Fibers and Textiles, Fine Arts, Glass, Metalsmithing and Jewelry, Painting, Performance, Print Media, Sculpture, Digital Fabrication and Digital Media.

Under the leadership of Department Chair Valerie Jenkins, Studio Art & Craft continues to foster rigorous studio practice and distinct creative voices. The creation of the Valade Family Endowed Chair will further elevate that work, strengthening the program’s impact and vitality, ensuring its continued growth.

The College for Creative Studies Mourns the Loss of a Beloved Professor and Design Leader.

Maria Luisa Rossi, Professor Emeritus, passed away on November 4, 2025, after a long, brave battle. She is survived by her husband, Vincenzo Iavicoli, and children, Giulia and Matteo.

For 16 years, Maria Luisa served as the founding Chair and Professor for the College’s graduate System Design Thinking program. Known for her passion for education and design, she mentored and influenced the next generation of designers while establishing standards of excellence for CCS’s graduate programs. She cared deeply for her students and was committed to sharing her global perspective, human-centered design practices and strategic design vision to push students to address important local and worldwide challenges through social innovation. Maria Luisa formed many meaningful relationships with partners across the globe that helped advance her program and the careers of her students.

“I am deeply saddened by the loss of Maria Luisa. She was an impressive force at CCS whose vision, creativity and dedication drove many important experiential learning projects and student success,” said Don Tuski, CCS President. “I extend my heartfelt condolences to her family and all who loved her.”

Her leadership at CCS was essential in the College’s hosting of the Design for Adaptation Cumulus Conference in 2022. Cumulus is the leading global association of art and design education and research. As a long-standing Cumulus member, Maria Luisa chaired the Cumulus Conference for Detroit in 2022, bringing the College and city global exposure.

“Maria Luisa was utterly devoted to her students. And beyond that, her expertise and drive was vital in making the Cumulus Conference a success here at CCS,” said Ian Lambert, CCS Dean of Research and Graduate Studies. “This conference not only elevated the College’s reputation but was also an excellent opportunity for our students to participate in diverse design and sustainability conversations and networking opportunities. We are forever grateful for the expertise and hard work she dedicated to making that conference a success.”

Maria Luisa and her husband Vincenzo were both awarded the title of Professor Emeritus upon retirement from CCS for their valuable contributions made to the college and their students.

Prior to her time at CCS, Maria Luisa’s professional career was independent and international. She obtained her master’s degree in industrial design at Domus Academy in Milano, thanks to a European Scholarship she won from designing the first wearable computer and winning an international design competition. The wearable computer project, “The Walking Office”, can be found in the Henry Ford Museum Permanent Design Collection. Following her studies, she founded the design consultancy Iavicoli & Rossi, working in areas varying from interior architecture to tableware.

In addition to her hometown of Florence, Italy, Maria Luisa also considered Paris, Tokyo, Los Angeles, and Detroit as places she called home. She stayed engaged with the Detroit design community through Detroit’s UNESCO City of Design initiative, working on the vision for inclusive growth and providing guidance to its development.

The Maria Luisa Rossi Excellence in Graduate Research Award

Gifts in memory of Maria Luisa Rossi may be made to support the Maria Luisa Rossi Graduate Research Award. This fund was created by Maria Luisa’s former colleagues and friends to honor her legacy.

Give to Support the Maria Luisa Rossi Graduate Research Award

Located in the heart of midtown Detroit, CCS’s prime location offers unparalleled opportunities for art and design collaboration. Our students have found countless ways to make a positive impact on local metro Detroit businesses through innovative art and design problem-solving.

Last year alone, CCS students collaborated to problem-solve timely topics for 15 metro Detroit businesses and nonprofit organizations. They addressed a range of issues in healthcare product design, sustainability, mobility, and even emerging augmented reality technology.

Embracing the city’s rich history of cultural and sporting events, students continue to participate in annual design competitions to create the newest posters for iconic Detroit events such as the Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix Presented by Lear, the Movement Music Festival and the 313 Presents Pine Knob concert series.

Here’s a look at some of the partnerships:

  • Augmented Reality Center (ARC) in partnership with Oakland University x Communication Design & Strategy, Graduate User Experience Design and Entertainment Arts
  • Crain Communications – Automotive News x Illustration
  • 313 Presents x Illustration
  • Detroit Grand Prix x Illustration
  • GM x Transportation Design & Graduate User Experience Design
  • Godnii x Graduate Color & Materials Design
  • Hagopian Rug Competition x All Departments
  • State of Michigan Office of Future Mobility and Electrification with support from the Global Epicenter of Mobility x Transportation Design
  • Zumiez and Somerset Collection x Illustration
  • BorgWarner x Product Design
  • Carhartt x Fashion Design
  • Henry Ford Health x Product Design
  • Changing Lives and Staying Sober (C.L.A.S.S.) x Interior Design and Graduate Color & Materials Design

Redefining Fashion Education, Three-Year Program Prepares Students for Leadership in Global Industry

The College for Creative Studies is proud to announce the launch of a new, reduced-credit Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business Management. Beginning in Fall 2026, the program will be the first of its kind in the U.S., designed to prepare a new generation of fashion leaders to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving global industry.

Delivered over just three years and comprising 90 focused credits, the program reimagines the traditional fashion business curriculum through a bold interdisciplinary framework that integrates strategic leadership, creative thinking, and digital fluency. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, the program prepares students to enter the workforce earlier without compromising academic depth or industry relevance.

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“We are thrilled to launch the first Bachelor of Arts degree at CCS. It is a true reflection of the strength and spirit of the CCS community, where creativity meets critical thinking and cultural awareness,” said Don Tuski, CCS President. “The Fashion Business Management BA will allow creative thinkers to explore the intersections of art and commerce in a city that has long shaped the future of fashion, design, craft and culture. As always, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive, forward-looking learning environment where all students can thrive, create the cutting edge and reimagine the world through art and design.”

Students will develop skills in merchandising, styling, marketing strategy, brand development, trend forecasting and fashion communications—disciplines essential to shaping and sustaining relevance in global markets. Throughout the program, CCS emphasizes a strategic approach to business, cultural literacy, and entrepreneurial thinking.

A hallmark of the experience is its collaborative structure, which brings Fashion Business Management students into direct engagement with peers in the College’s BFA Fashion Design program. This multidisciplinary model reflects the internal ecosystems of contemporary fashion houses and gives students early exposure to creative and commercial cross-functionality.

Through CCS’s deeply established industry partnerships and Fashion Advisory Board, students benefit from direct mentorship and exposure to leaders at the forefront of the global fashion industry. Advisory board and industry affiliations include Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Tracy Reese, Tapestry, Carhartt, Anna Sui, and Eileen Fisher.

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Graduates will be equipped to move directly into leadership roles across merchandising, marketing, retail strategy, communications, and entrepreneurship. And by offering a reduced-credit model without sacrificing academic rigor, CCS is removing structural barriers to entry and opening new pathways for emerging talent. Unlike traditional fashion business degrees, no portfolio is required for admission.

“In the current landscape, the fashion industry demands professionals who can think creatively, lead strategically and operate with cultural and commercial agility,” said Aki Choklat, Linda Dresner Endowed Chair in Fashion Design at CCS. “This program answers that call directly, offering a highly intentional pathway into the business of fashion—one that mirrors the way global fashion houses and brands operate today.”

Prospective students can learn more here: https://bit.ly/454EQHv

Tim Flattery, Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer for the College for Creative Studies (CCS), is retiring, effective June 30, 2025. The renowned Hollywood concept artist, designer and educator provided 10 years of leadership at the College, including prior roles as Co-Leader of Academic Affairs, Chair of the Entertainment Arts department and Dean of Undergraduate Studies.

Leader

“The atmosphere here is electric. There’s a creative fuel that just pumps through every room and every hallway of this institution that’s really infectious and inspiring. I’ll miss being around that constantly.” – Tim Flattery

Flattery’s retirement marks the end of a fulfilling academic career at CCS, where his story began as a student. He graduated from the Transportation Design program in 1987 and credits the program for providing the transferable skills needed to have a successful film career in the Hollywood film industry. “CCS gave me all the tools that I could have imagined needing for success,” Flattery says. “It gave me the tools to think outside the box in regards to solving design problems, which makes the CCS grad very unique. And that was something that was noticed in Hollywood.”

Creative

Not only did Flattery break into Hollywood film, he thrived in it, nurturing a nearly 40-year career in the industry and racking up more than 100 film credits. He has conceptualized and designed for some of the most popular films of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including “Back to the Future II,” the “Men in Black” movies, “Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest,” “Dune,” and several Marvel movies including “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2,” “Captain Marvel,” “Thor: Love and Thunder” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”

Flattery developed some of the most recognizable prop designs, like the Infinity Gauntlet for “Avengers: Infinity War,” the Batmobile for “Batman Forever” and the Fantasticar for “Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.” Flattery has also been nominated for two Art Directors Guild awards and won its Excellence in Production Design Award for his work on “Avengers: Endgame.”

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No matter how far Flattery went or how successful his career was, he never lost sight of where his roots were sown. That’s why in 2015, when former CCS President Richard L. Rogers tapped him to serve as Chair of Entertainment Arts, Flattery moved back to Detroit from Los Angeles, ready to “live the rest of my life back home where my DNA is.”

Mentor

As Chair of Entertainment Arts, Flattery created the Concept Design program, a competitive program that teaches students conceptual skills, 2D and 3D execution, and designing hardware, architecture, characters and environments. While developing this program, Flattery drew upon his experience in the film industry as well as his time creating a similar concept design program as Chair of the Entertainment Design program at ArtCenter College of Design in California.

CCS President Don Tuski credits Flattery’s leadership, hiring and execution for making Entertainment Arts a nationally recognized department.

“In talking with Tim during my first couple of years [as president of CCS], I realized that he had a rare mix of high-level industry experience. That mix of accomplishments in the industry, paired with great academic leadership at CCS and ArtCenter, were things that got my attention and led to Tim becoming Provost.” – Don Tuski, CCS President

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David Gazdowicz is one of the many CCS faculty members Flattery has profoundly impacted. With a background in animating, filmmaking, audio producing and game/interaction design, Gazdowicz currently serves as the Chair of Entertainment Arts, overseeing the Animation, Game Design and Concept Design programs. A fellow CCS alum, he was a visiting artist and assistant professor at the College when Flattery became the Chair. Within Flattery’s first year in the role, he hired Gazdowicz as full-time assistant professor.

During his time working with Flattery, Gazdowicz admired Flattery’s “collaborative personality” and his ability to quickly assess what the Entertainment Arts department needed. He says Flattery gave faculty the agency to make decisions, and he kept the student experience at the forefront of his own decision-making.

“When he came in, every decision that he was making was all about, ‘How do we make it good for the students?’ or ‘How do we improve the students’ experience?’ or ‘How do we bring something to the students that is going to help them become better artists and storytellers, and give them a leg up in the industry?’” Gazdowicz says. “I was really blown away by how much he really did care.”

When Gazdowicz was made Chair of Entertainment Arts – Animation, Game Design and Concept Design, he recalls Flattery empowering him to take on the role. Gazdowicz tries to give that same encouragement and autonomy to his faculty, just like Flattery did before him.

“I feel like [these are] some of the best years that I’ve been at CCS and some of the most progress we’ve made,” he says. “We’re trying to make the curriculum as best as it can be, helping the students as much as we can, really being flexible with the students — and that all comes from Tim.”

Innovating processes to intentionally enhance the student, faculty and staff experience has always been a priority for Flattery. When he became Co-Leader of Academic Affairs in 2020, Flattery quickly found ways to adapt to remote learning during the pandemic, working with the College’s faculty to create online and asynchronous learning solutions. When he became Dean of Undergraduate Studies in 2021, Flattery worked with faculty to redesign the Foundations program. Rather than all first-year students taking the same Foundations courses, the program was organized to be discipline-specific to better support students’ individual career paths. He also oversaw the creation of the Interdisciplinary Art + Design program to support students interested in pursuing multiple disciplines rather than just one.

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Flattery created the Chairs Council to encourage shared governance with department chairs. Through this council, academic department chairs could hold meetings, without the Dean, in order to discuss their concerns in a comfortable setting, create formal recommendations for consideration and be more effective leaders. “He empowered the Chairs to meet on their own and work on problems together,” Tuski says. “It was a very positive experience for the Chairs, for Academic Affairs and the College.”

All of Flattery’s industry and academic experience came to the helm when he was appointed Provost, Vice President of Academic Affairs and Chief Academic Officer in 2022. Flattery oversaw Academic Affairs and later Student Affairs, when it was brought under Academic Affairs to create a more holistic approach. From student organizations and residence life to resources for first-generation and international students, Flattery uplifted CCS’s goals to cultivate an exceptional environment for students, faculty and staff.

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“Having a clear vision and a plan for implementing that vision is key,” Flattery says of being a provost. “Being a good communicator and overcommunicating is key.”

As Provost, Flattery continued his work of increasing shared governance and streamlining academic programs to make them more efficient. He combined the Fine Arts and Crafts departments to form the new Studio Art & Craft department as well as the Advertising and Communication Design departments to make the new Communication Design & Strategy department. He has also overseen the development of new reduced credit Bachelor of Arts programs that are currently awaiting accreditation.

Flattery’s passion for student success led to important student retention initiatives during his time as Provost. This intentional work brought CCS’s retention rate to its goal within the 80th percentile.

Flattery made CCS a leading example by instituting an artificial intelligence (AI) policy across the College in 2023, making CCS the first Association of Independent Colleges of Art & Design (AICAD) college in the country to do so. The four-point policy allowed for CCS students to show curiosity in the ever-evolving landscape of AI while remaining ethical and honoring intellectual property.

At the heart of all the policies, programs and committees, and no matter his job title, it has always been about giving everything he can to the students, faculty and staff. During his time at CCS, Flattery has taught students who have gone on to have their own fulfilling careers in their dream industries. “We have many successful alumni who are doing really fantastic work, in animation, film and game design. And many of them were students of Tim’s,” Tuski says. “It’s amazing just the number of alumni that Tim has taught who have gone on to work on their own television shows and work in movies like Tim has.”

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“He’s a phenomenal concept designer, teacher and communicator, able to get to the core of the issue and provide kind, helpful and directly actionable critiques. Tim helped me develop my skills, craft and design sensibilities. He’s someone I look up to; he’s approachable, humble and down to earth despite his great success. He was, and is, a mentor to me.” – Alex Nakhleh ’24

One of those students Flattery taught and mentored is Alex Nakhleh, who graduated from the Concept Design program in 2024. As a student in Flattery’s Concept Industrial Design course, Nakhleh says Flattery provided helpful feedback on his graduation portfolio during Senior Studio, a two-semester course that helps students create a portfolio of work to share while job searching. Nakhleh now does environment, architecture, hardware and prop design primarily for virtual reality video games. CCS doesn’t have to say goodbye entirely to Flattery — he will serve as CCS’s first Provost Emeritus and do consulting for the College. And you might see his name in an upcoming movie credit; he worked on the new “Superman” movie directed by James Gunn, coming out this July! (Although Flattery retired from the film industry in February, he says he’ll still do some work here and there.) “The atmosphere here is electric,” Flattery says of what he’ll miss most about CCS. There’s a creative fuel that just pumps through every room and every hallway of this institution that’s really infectious and inspiring. I’ll miss being around that constantly.”

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