Office of the President

A three-time college president and Michigan native, Donald L. Tuski began his term as President of the College for Creative Studies in July, 2019.

An educator and advocate for students, Tuski teaches courses in the College’s Liberal Arts department and is deeply engaged with many student groups on campus. Recognizing the increasing cost of higher education, Tuski is committed to maximizing value for students so that CCS graduates have the capacity to sustainably practice their creative discipline. As a result, one of Tuski’s primary focuses at CCS is experiential learning and ensuring that every student who attends CCS has an opportunity to learn by doing.

CCS Commitment to Civility

Accomplishments at CCS

In recent years, the landscape of higher education has gone through significant shifts. Tuski has shepherded major changes stemming from a robust and ambitious strategic planning process. From 2023-2026, Tuski oversaw the development and fulfillment of the College’s Strategic Plan, focusing on enhancing CCS’s student-centered approach, Reimagining pathways to a creative career and supports needed for an increasingly diverse student population, cultivating an inspiring, collaborative culture and leveraging all of our assets to help CCS and its community make a greater difference in the world.

This work resulted in the following key accomplishments:

  • The nation’s first 3-year Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Business Management, with the first cohort of students starting in fall 2026.
  • A Bachelor of Fine Arts in Robotics and Human-Centered Design, building on the College’s legacy of recognizing and tailoring programs based on industry needs, launching in 2027.
  • A 3-year Bachelor of Arts in Business for Creative Industries launching in 2027, creating pathways for students interested in leadership and business within the creative industry.
  • Transfer completion pathways that offer a two-year path to obtain a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Design degree for students who have an associate’s degree – launching in 2027.
  • Accelerated degrees for students to obtain both a bachelor’s and master’s degree in five years, launching in 2027.
  • A fully online Master of Professional Studies in User Experience Design degree launched in 2025.
  • An Apple Foundation program launched in 2025, available for free to any Metro Detroit residents to explore app design and development using fundamentals of Swift, Apple’s programming language and Apple devices.
  • A non-credit program in collaboration with ALX Africa, an organization dedicated to expanding career and entrepreneurial opportunities for young Africans.
  • A collaboration with High School Moms, an organization based in India with a focus on providing students with the opportunity to carve unique career paths and opportunities for universities to expand their outreach across the globe.
  • The creation of a Practicing Design Center in 2024 that expands the College’s experiential learning opportunities for students and opens up support to nonprofit and community organizations in Detroit.
  • The establishment of two endowed chair positions, ensuring ongoing support as the Studio Art & Craft and Fashion Design departments continue to evolve.
  • Inclusion of CCS in the Detroit Promise, Bearcat Advantage and Kalamazoo Promise to ensure open pathways to CCS.
  • The expansion of career and experiential learning opportunities for all students, including an increase in student portfolio reviews from industry partners by 841% since 2022.
  • The oversight and creation of a campus master plan to leverage the space CCS has for community involvement, collaboration and celebration of creativity.

Leadership Experience

Previously, Tuski served as President and professor of anthropology at Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA). He led enrollment growth at the institution during which time PNCA welcomed the largest first-year class in its 110-year history.

At Maine College of Art (MECA) in Portland, Maine, Tuski led a sustained period of development from 2010 to 2016, increasing enrollment by 22% and growing revenue by 39%. The college’s largest individual gift at the time was $3,000,000 from the Crewe Foundation to launch the Bob Crewe Program in Art and Music.

At Olivet College (his alma mater), Tuski spent 25 years in various roles, where he served for nine years as president from 2001–2010. Enrollment increased by more than 50%, and fundraising totaled $22,000,000. He also secured $3,500,000 for the completion of a new LEED-certified art building.

Donald L. Tuski holds a BA in biology from Olivet College, MA, and a PhD in anthropology from Michigan State University.