Meet the Open Studies Team
Open Studies
Fueling Your Creativity
We fuel creative journeys through convenient and innovative learning models that provide broad access to MICAs rigorous art and design education.
Open Studies Team
Amy Hodges received her BA in Photography from Virginia Intermont College and a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. Amy joins Open Studies (OS) as the Director of Administrative Services after thirteen years as the Executive Assistant in the Provost’s office.
In this newly redefined role, Amy will help advance the work of OS as part of the leadership team and work to ensure that it has strong business practices that support innovation and growth. She will be providing strategic leadership for the creation, implementation, and organization of project and resource management strategies with the goal of achieving greater office efficiency and effectiveness. Amy will also create plans to ensure agility and effectiveness of OS hiring practices for contract faculty and staff while managing processes associated with compliance, contracting onboarding, and record keeping. In addition, she will work to balance operational budget requirements to achieve long term business goals.
Amy is the recipient of MICA’s Lori L. Stuart Award in 2014 and the Fred Worthington Memorial Award in 2019.
Hashi Jayasinghe arrived in the US on a Fulbright scholarship and earned a PhD and MA in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, both from the University at Arkansas. Her BA in English is from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.
After completing her graduate studies, Hashi worked as adjunct faculty for the Liberal Arts departments at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Colorado Community Colleges, University of New Hampshire, Richard Bland College of William and Mary, University of Wyoming, and Laramie County Community College. She then joined Verto Education as the Associate Director of Academics and Faculty Development where she developed curriculum and conducted professional development training for faculty, student success coordinators, and programming staff in seven global locations.
Hashi joined MICA full-time in the Department of Open Studies in December 2022 as the Instructional Designer. Her role entails designing courses for Open Studies, faculty tech support, promoting best practices for the delivery of class content online, and creating professional development opportunities for faculty.
During her free time, she loves to read non-fiction, dabble with watercolor painting, and hike with her two dogs.
Jeremy Parker has an extensive background in higher education, spanning over 20 years. Most recently, he served as the Vice President of Client Management at Wiley University Services, overseeing a team of 17 and supporting online initiatives for over 60 institutions domestically. Jeremy has experience working across various college and university types, from national brands to regional and faith-based institutions, both public and private. Jeremy holds a BS in Business Administration from the University of Central Florida, an MBA from Keller Graduate School of Management, and is currently pursuing his EdD at Concordia University - St. Paul. He is currently focused on his dissertation which seeks to understand the academic and behavioral impact that COVID-19 had on middle school students. Jeremy and his wife Jackie have two daughters, Jules and Jordyn.
Kate Porter earned both her B.F.A in Photography and M.A.T. at MICA. She also earned a certificate of Advanced Study in Organizational Change, College of Graduate Studies and Research at Towson University and holds an MSDE Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate Art PreK-12 as well as being MSDE Administrator I and II Certified. Prior to coming to MICA, Kate worked as the program director for Youth in Focus (a non-profit youth development photography organization in Seattle, WA) and as the assistant principal for the Baltimore Design School.
Kate served as the director of youth and community education in Open Studies for 5 years. In this role she provided strategic and logistical leadership and direction for all programs serving young students (grades K-12) and community education for life-long learners through MICA’s Open Studies academic unit. These programs included: Young People’s Studios/High School Studios; the PreCollege Art and Design Residency Program; the Art and Design College Accelerator Program; Community Education; and Professional Practice. The director also managed and implement any new or special initiatives related to the K-12 or community audiences.
Kate was promoted to Associate Dean of Open Studies in April 2022 where she focuses on leading organizational strategy, strengthening operational efficiency and effectiveness, oversight and management of area policy, regulatory compliance, accreditation, assessment, program review, academic services and resources, etc. for all Open Studies programming including degree programs, lifelong learning programs, and youth programs.
Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in the Civil Rights Movement from the University of Baltimore in 2006. In 2011, she earned a Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical studies, also from UB.
Her professional experiences include work as an Academic Specialist at University of Baltimore in the Legal, Ethical, and Historical Studies department, and various roles with the full and part time MBA programs at the Carey Business School.
Katie joined the Open Studies department at MICA in May of 2022, and is thrilled to have joined such a dynamic and enthusiastic team. Outside of building a career in higher education, Katie enjoys many passions: gardening, hiking, pit bull and rescue dog advocacy, taking long walks around Baltimore, knitting, baking, concert going, eating great food, watching movies, and reading - especially historical non-fiction and fantasy novels - and spending time with her wife and two teenage children.
Natovian McLeod graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2015 with her BFA in General Fine Arts and her Master of Art in Teaching in 2016.
She was an Elementary Art Teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools for 6 years and in 2022 she was awarded Maryland Elementary Art Teacher of the Year.
Natovian has facilitated professional development focused on artist reflection, literacy skills, and student engagement. Her practice addresses anti-racist and culturally responsive practices in art.
Before becoming the Director of Youth Programs and Community Education at MICA, Natovian was the program coordinator for MICA's Art and Design College Accelerator Program (ADCA) and for the PreCollege Art and Design Residency Program. She is committed to arts education and hopes to promote more access and educational opportunities for students in Baltimore.
Samuel King earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Louisville. Previously a high school social studies teacher, he taught American history and civics to 12th graders in Kentucky. Additionally, Samuel has experience in both the private sector and higher education as a software administrator.
Samuel joined the MICA Open Studies faculty in April 2023 and specializes in instructional technology administration. Samuel holds multiple IT certifications and is continuing to earn additional certifications for professional development.
While no longer in the classroom, Samuel defines himself as a teacher at heart and prides himself on being involved in higher education administration and helping to deliver quality education for all students.
