School of the Art Institute of Chicago, President

Jiseon Lee Isbara has been announced as the next President of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. She will be the second woman to serve as President in SAIC’s 158-year history. 

Isbara, a practicing artist who has exhibited nationally and internationally, currently serves as the Provost of Otis College of Art and Design in Los Angeles andcomes to the School with extensive experience in higher education and the arts. During her tenure at Otis College of Art and Design, she led the implementation of a five-year strategic plan which resulted in substantive changes at the school, including enrollment growth, a curricular revision to better align pedagogy with student mental health and career preparedness, and a strengthening of the school’s diversity, equity, and inclusion infrastructure. 

“Given her record of bold leadership and deep commitment to creative communities, I have no doubt she will continue SAIC’s legacy as one of the world’s top art and design colleges.” – Denise Gardner, Board of Trustees Chair

“SAIC is an exceptional place deserving of an exceptional leader, and I am certain we’ve found one in Jiseon…she’s demonstrated that she has the skills and vision to guide SAIC through its next chapter.” – David Vitale, Board of Governors Chair

“Jiseon is going to be a voice for the future of art education, and I am excited to see the many ways in which she’ll enrich our incredible community of students, faculty, and staff.” – Anita Sinha, Presidential Search Committee Chair

Read more here.

Anita Tien led this search with Stephen Kalogeras and Andy Marshall.