People

Graduate Program Assistants

Meet Your Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs)!

Graduate Program Assistants (GPAs) support their Program Director and fellow students to ensure the effective operation of their program. GPAs serve as graduate student leaders and work collaboratively with each other and the Office of Graduate Studies to help build community by promoting dialogue, the exchange of information, and timely communications.

 

Graduate Program Assistants

Nell Arnett (He/They), Community Arts, MFA

I use art as a form of expression and advocacy for both myself as a queer individual and for the greater queer community, with themes of being seen and recognized while being true to your identity. In unapologetically expressing my identity as a gay transmasc Filipino-American, I like to make work that is bright, wild, messy, unserious and fun yet genuine and empowering. I also enjoy drawing clowns.

Jalen Thomas (She/Her), Community Arts, MFA

Hi I'm Jalen! I was born and raised in PG County. Last spring, I graduated from Stevenson university with a BS in graphic design and I am a second year MFA Community Arts student. I have a special interest in photography and printmaking, but I love to be creative in every way. I like to crochet and I'm really into K-Pop and broadway shows!

Taro Cantu (She/Her), Curatorial Practice, MFA

My Puerto Rican mother and Mexican father named me Emma but my friends call me Taro thanks to my profound admiration for war photographer Garda Taro! I am currently in the Curatorial Practice, MFA program.

Ireanna Rogers (She/Her), Curatorial Practice, MFA

Hi! I am Ireanna Rogers from Little Rock, Arkansas. I have a background in editorial and fashion photography, with a B.A in Fine Arts. I am pursuing my MFA in Curatorial Practice, with my practice mainly focusing in conversations of Blackness and Black consciousness.

Sadeq Alkhoori (He/Him), Filmmaking, MFA

Sadeq Alkhoori is a filmmaker from the United Arab Emirates, currently working on projects that explore the vibrant culture of Baltimore through both narrative and documentary films. His work captures the city's unique experiences, reflecting its rich creative community. Sadeq’s films aim to bring Baltimore’s stories to a broader audience with authenticity and depth.

Aishat Abiri (She/Her), Filmmaking, MFA

Aishat grew up in Benin City, Nigeria where she fell in love with stories. She studied Optometry and went on to use stories for advocacy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, as well as Disability rights. When Aishat is not studying or watching films, she is reading or working on her book or being a nuisance at karaoke.

Anita Sheih (She/Her), Graphic Design, MA

Anita is a multimedia designer from Phoenix, Arizona. Her past experience includes work in book publishing as well as audio and video content creation for museums. In her free time, she enjoys painting, reading, photography, and the taste of cold brew coffee at all hours of the day.

Niyati Mehta (She/Her), Graphic Design, MFA

Hi, I'm Niyati. I am a graphic designer and brand strategist from Mumbai, India. Since the past 4 years, I have worked at design studios and independently for Indian entrepreneurs to help build their brand. I enjoy working with business developers, designers and creative thinkers. On weekends, you’d find me at a new restaurant or hosting a party.

Samantha Frost (She/Her), Graphic Design, MFA

Samantha is an artist and graphic designer from Baltimore. She believes in the power of design and typography to bring attention to important statistics, stories, and identities. At MICA, she pushes the boundaries of visual communication, exploring the intersection of motion, sound, typography, and UI/UX design to ignite meaningful conversations. When not designing, Samantha enjoys exploring Wikipedia for hours or producing music for fun.

Blaise Leone (She/Her), Graphic Design, MFA

Blaise is my real name, promise–I’m a creative graphic designer with a knack for funky patterns, hand lettering, and vintage print motifs. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, but I have spent the past few years in Phoenix, where I picked up a pretty annoying/serious ceramics practice/hobby that has kept me delightfully sane/broke.When I’m not at my desk designing or in the ceramics studio... I am probably re-watching seasons 5-7 of Ru Paul's Drag Race, or hanging out with my Dachshund-Poodle named Scout who only has half of her hearing, but has my entire heart. [but she’s not with me this semester, so everyone will have to wait to meet her until January, soooooory]

Jaden Kim (He/Him), Graphic Design, MFA

Hi, I'm Jaden! I'm a designer from Southern California who used to work in software engineering. I love music, especially 70s Soul, 90s Hip-Hop, and anything experimental!

Nina Modelski (She/They), Illustration, MA

Hi, I'm Nina! I was born in Colorado, but we traveled a lot when I was a kid until we settled, for the most part, in Maryland. I was in the Navy for just shy of eight years, and then I went to Aberystwyth University in Wales for my BA in Fine Arts. I love RPGs both table top and otherwise, video games in general, bookbinding, and animals of all types. I am constantly chasing the feeling I get when a project is "in the zone".

Krittika Mittal

Krittika Mittal (She/Her), Illustration Practice, MFA

Hi, I am Krittika! I am a graphic designer and an illustrator from New Delhi. I have been learning and teaching visual arts for the past 8 years, and through my practice, I hope to make art more tangible and more approachable to people. And therefore, you'll often find me attempting to depict relatable ideas and the joy and comfort of everyday things.

Wenxuan He (She/They), Illustration Practice, MFA

Hi! I am Wen. My pronouns are she/they. I am in ILP program, and I love to illustrate nature and lifestyle! I especially love to draw my dog that grew up with me (he is 16 and a half).

Xi Wang (She/Her), Illustration Practice, MFA

My name is Xi Wang. My Chinese name is pronounced the same as "Hope" in English. I’m a 2nd year student from Illustration Practice Program. I like cute animals!

Valentino Orlando (He/Him), LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting, MFA

I am a painter from Michigan and recent graduate of Michigan State university. I am deeply interested in infrastructure, industry, and generally man made things in my paintings, so moving to a large city like Baltimore has provided me with lots of references and inspiration. Both sides of my family are Italian immigrants, and as a result I have not really been impressed with the food here! (haha)

Veronica Hahr (She/Her), LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting MFA

My name is Veronica Hahr and I'm from Maplewood NJ. I graduated from Rutgers with a BFA in Painting and Sculpture in 2019. Afterwards, I worked as a mural artist in NYC for several years. I'm excited to be one of the Hoffberger GPAs!

Dre Burciaga (She/Her), LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting, MFA

Hi I’m Dre Burciaga, I’m an Chicano oil painter from El Paso, Texas. I make cultural paintings sharing the beauty and artisan craftsmanship within folk art and Latin American traditions.

Zaria Thomas (She/Her), LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting MFA

Hi, my name is Zaria Thomas. I am an oil painter who loves experimenting with mixed media, blending different techniques to create something unique. When i'm not painting I like to crochet, make stickers and read! Crafting is a big part of who I am, and I enjoy exploring different creative outlets whenever I can.

Elicia Aceves (She/Her), Mount Royal School of Art Multidisciplinary MFA

I am a Mexican-American interdisciplinary artist from Kansas City, Missouri. While primarily a painter, I’m exploring other mediums and trying to branch out artistically. I love making new friends and meeting members of the community.

Huxley Green (They/Them), Mount Royal School of Art Multidisciplinary MFA

I am a multi dictionary artist from Mississippi. I mainly work with cyanotype bookmaking and painting, and am starting my journey on learning techniques and metalsmithing. In my free time, I enjoy traveling in the outdoors and listening to Punk and Country music. Back home I used to be in a punk band!

WeiChen Lou (He/Him), Photography + Media & Society, MFA

Second-year cohort in the Photography + Media & Society program. Graduate Program Assistant. A human being.

Ariana Leon (She/They), Rinehart School of Sculpture, MFA

Hi! My name is Ariana and I am entering my second year at Rinehart School of Sculpture! I am a Canadian artist working mostly in large-scale sculpture, installation and video. My work is a discussion of femme identity and trauma through a campy, maximalist lens. Pulling from contemporary culture and colloquial contexts, I push scale and remove stereotypical material components such as colour or medium to emphasize a domestic or familiar uncanny.

Mashal Zahra (She/Her), Social Design, MA

I am a designer and educator with a background in textiles, specializing in print techniques. As a self-taught graphic designer, my work weaves together pattern, color, and storytelling, drawing inspiration from themes like nostalgia, memory, and community craft. I'm passionate about using design to solve problems, build stronger communities, and promote sustainable eco-friendly living. When I'm not designing, I love to explore the outdoors, and appreciating nature is my favorite pastime.

DJ Fleming (He/Him) Social Design, MA

I graduated last year from McDaniel College with a Major in Communications and marketing. I am passionate about creating and showcasing art to enhance community engagement, philanthropy, and I am equally dedicated to creating spaces and programs that strive to engage communities through art.

Catey McGinn (She/Her), Teaching, MA

Hi there! I'm an incoming graduate student originally from a small town called Belfast located in midcoast Maine. I received my BA in Studio Art from the University of Vermont in Burlington in 2019 and am now pursuing my Master of Arts in Teaching to become a K-12 art teacher. I love cats, reading, as well as travel and I am looking forward to my next adventure here at MICA!

Nia Hicks (She/They), Teaching, MA

My name is Nia and I'm in the MAT program here at MICA! I'm 23, a Sagittarius (still don't really know what that means lol), and was born and raised here in Maryland. I love all things horror, drawing and collage, my dog King, and exploring the ins and outs of my surroundings (currently Baltimore).