Enriching the next generation of design leaders with SCAD
Gordon Ching joins SCAD as a Professional Mentor
May 28 2023 - I'm thrilled to announce my new advisory role as a Professional Mentor with Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). This opportunity allows me to contribute to the design management school by strengthening industry relationships, enriching academic development, and empowering student success. As the Founder of the Design Executive Council (DEC), one of my key priorities is to facilitate knowledge transfer between design executives whom are employers, and schools, who develop next-generation leaders. With the DEC facilitating touch points between executives and educators, we continue to improve the relevance of design education and quality of design talent pipelines.
As a 2022 graduate of SCAD's MA in Design Management program, I have experienced firsthand the transformative power of this institution. The quality of education and the dedication of the professors truly impressed me. Even though I completed my degree remotely during the pandemic, I never felt disconnected from the school thanks to the unwavering support and mentorship provided by professors like Tom Hardy, Jon Denham, Christine Z Miller, Ph.D., and Bruce Claxton FIDSA. Their guidance helped shape my perspective on design leadership and management, and their commitment to my success was evident throughout my studies.
SCAD's reputation as a leader in art, creativity, and design education is well-deserved. Founded in 1978, it has grown to offer over 100 degree programs and attracts students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries. Under the visionary leadership of President Paula S. Wallace, SCAD continues to shape the next generation of creative leaders and innovators. 2022 marks SCAD’s sixth consecutive year as Red Dot Design Award's No. 1 design university in the U.S.
My graduate research on Chief Design Officers and Design Executive Effectiveness was fundamental to informing my ability to understand the timely opportunity to advance design leadership. With SCAD’s inaugural sponsorship in 2021, DEC began as a dinner club, bringing together design leaders in San Francisco. My time with SCAD helped inform the basis of the DEC and has since developed into the world’s first professional membership network for design executives. Dinners have became an integral tradition of the DEC to fostering community amongst leaders.
To kickstart my role as a Professional Mentor, I will be traveling to the SCAD campus on May 29 to deliver a series of guest lectures on Design Leadership. Drawing from my experiences as a Design Management graduate and my experiences at companies like Apple, Synchrony, Affirm, as well as my new position as Founder of the Design Executive Council, I aim to inspire students on the transformative power of integrating design and business as a tool for creating success through their careers and in the organizations they serve.
As a Professional Mentor for SCAD, I am honored to contribute to this legacy. I am excited to support and guide the talented students at SCAD, sharing my insights, experiences, and industry connections to help them thrive in their creative endeavors. Through mentorship, I hope to empower these aspiring leaders and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to make a lasting impact in the design field.
Partnering with SCAD in this capacity allows me to give back to the institution that has had such a profound impact on my personal and professional development. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of the next generation of design leaders and to foster strong connections between academia and industry.
I look forward to embarking on this new chapter as a Professional Mentor with SCAD, and I am eager to support and inspire the talented individuals who will shape the future of the design industry.
— Gordon
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