Featured Stories + Media

Heidi Der

Heidi has experience working with students with disabilities dating back over 20 years. She began as a school psychologist in K-12 education, working in that field for 10 years before changing careers to work in student support roles in accessibility and academics at Northeast Ohio Medical University.   As Director of Wellness + Accessibility Services […]

Michelle Eisen

Michelle Eisen is an Akron-based Zambian-American transdisciplinary teaching-artist working at the intersection of printmaking, textiles, and painting. She completed her Masters of Fine Art in 2024 at Kent State University. Both her studio and teaching practices center on exploration, sensitivity, and an awareness of material agency. Her work has been exhibited in galleries throughout Ohio, […]

April Woodward

Amanda Fronek PhD

Amanda Fronek is a higher education administrator with 16 years of progressive student affairs leadership experience, getting her start as the graduate assistant for orientation and student life at the Cleveland Institute of Art. Throughout her career she has served a variety of institutions including state universities, community colleges, and in private liberal arts environments. […]

Hannah Lambert

BFA, Cleveland Institute of Art   Hannah Lambert holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography from the Cleveland Institute of Art. She is pursuing a Master’s in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at Kent State University. She has three years of experience working with the Cleveland Institute of Art’s orientation program.    In […]

Evan MarLett

Evan MarLett is the Graduate Hall Director at the Cleveland Institute of Art, where he oversees the Uptown Residence Hall and supervises a team of five Resident Assistants. He is also currently pursuing his master’s degree in Higher Education Administration and Student Affairs at Kent State University. Before his time at CIA, Evan worked across […]

Mei Peraza

Mei Peraza is a housing staff member with six years of progressive residence life experience, starting as a Resident Assistant at The Ohio State University and then advancing to Residence Life Coordinator here at the Cleveland Institute of Art. In her role as Residence Life Coordinator in the Student Life + Housing office, Mei oversees […]

Matthew Smith PhD

PhD in Higher Education, University of ToledoMEd in Higher Education, Kent State UniversityBA from Baldwin Wallace University Dr. Smith is a higher education administrator with over 25 years of experience working in student affairs. While he has worked at CIA for over 20 years, he has worked at both small private colleges and larger state […]