Current Trustee Paul Tiburzi, partner at DLA Piper, will be the inaugural Chair of the President’s Global Advisory Council, the formation of which was approved by the MICA Board in February. 

“In a world that is becoming increasingly polarized, it takes creativity, partnership, trust and united leadership for common good to find solutions to the challenges our global community faces today,” MICA President Samuel Hoi said. “MICA has been preparing the next generation of creative and collaborative thinkers and change agents to address shared challenges.”

This council will harness the expertise of alumni, parents, friends and leaders in multiple sectors to advise and advocate for the innovative educational programs at MICA, guided by the College’s mission, vision and the early draft of the 2021-2026 Strategic Plan.

For nearly 200 years, MICA has empowered passionate artists and designers to create and catalyze positive change through educational programs. And the onset of the COVID pandemic has accelerated the need for creative thinkers to have global insight, cultural and intercultural context and networks to tackle today’s most critical issues. 

The new President’s Global Advisory Council will provide a platform for advocates to share expertise, exchange knowledge and cultivate next practices strengthening MICA’s deliberate approach in meeting the opportunities and challenges facing our global communities. 

The MICA President’s Global Advisory Council will optimize its impact through a multidimensional approach that will: 

• Harness and centralize the expertise, talent and best practices of the council to provide increased capacity, support and impact to MICA’s academic programs and community partnerships.
• Accelerate collaboration in developing innovative educational programs adapted for the new virtual world, implementing lessons learned and sharing best and next practices to strengthen current educational programs and support development of future programs, while also creating an environment where greater understanding between communities can flourish in the College’s third century.
• Expand MICA’s reach through sustained alumni engagement and strengthen connections among community leadership in multiple sectors and corporate networks around the world. 

Tiburzi’s leadership and strong advocacy for MICA are clear from his generous assistance through his professional reputation and exceptional vision to help the College advance in its accomplishments and impact.

“MICA will surely emerge from this pandemic stronger than ever and continue to thrive with Baltimore,” Tiburzi said. “When it does, we need to commit to continuing the spirit of partnership and innovation that MICA so strongly exemplifies in addition to enabling the College to advance at the regional and international level. ” 

Learn more about MICA’s 2021-2026 Strategic Plan goals here. For questions about the forthcoming MICA President’s Global Advisory Council, please contact Don Jones, vice president for advancement, djones06@mica.edu.