College for Creative Studies (CCS) and Walsh College Partner to Provide Creative Undergrads Enhanced Business Acumen

The College for Creative Studies (CCS), one of the world’s preeminent art and design colleges, and Walsh College, the area’s leading business college, have collaborated to offer business courses to undergraduate CCS students on CCS’s campuses beginning this fall.

The courses are designed to enhance CCS’s rigorous art and design curriculum with a baseline of business education to help students succeed as independent artists, designers, entrepreneurs or business owners in the future. The partnership between the two institutions reflects the region’s growing reliance on the creative economy.

“The College for Creative Studies has long understood the importance of creative businesses to the overall economy and we have relied on ventures like our Detroit Creative Corridor Center to nurture talented entrepreneurs in the region,” said Richard L. Rogers, president of the College for Creative Studies (CCS). “This partnership brings an emphasis on business practices to the undergraduate curriculum as CCS already does in its graduate programs. We want to be certain that all of our students are equipped with the necessary tools to succeed in business. We are especially pleased that they will benefit from the expertise of Walsh College’s highly respected faculty.”

The comprehensive program will include courses on branding and self-image management, money management skills for artists and designers, and advanced business skills for artist and designers. Students will learn how to start entrepreneurial ventures or to be effective creative leaders within an existing corporate environment.

“The partnership is a blend of the educational strengths from both institutions,” said Walsh College President and CEO Stephanie Bergeron. “This is a great opportunity to share our business acumen with art and design students and properly equip them to successfully navigate their career paths. It is a unique undertaking of which we are extremely proud.”

Instructors from Walsh College are Dr. Michael Levens, associate professor of marketing; Erin Rawlings, adjunct instructor of marketing; Dr. Louise August, associate professor of finance; and Dr. Lee Meadows, professor of management.   The 11-week courses will be taught as a hybrid format, with a portion of the course taught in the classroom and a portion online.  Learn more at www.walshcollege.edu/CCS or www.collegeforcreativestudies.edu/academics/undergraduate-programs/business-concentration.  

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WALSH COLLEGE
Founded in 1922, Walsh College is a private, not for profit institution offering upper-division undergraduate and graduate business and technology degrees and certificate programs. One of Southeast Michigan’s largest business schools, Walsh has locations in Troy, Novi, Clinton Township and Port Huron, as well as online. Walsh’s business services division offers the Walsh Institute, which provides solutions for businesses through training, continuing education and consulting. Walsh is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (www.ncahlc.org; phone: 312-263-0456) and the International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE, www.iacbe.org). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP, www.acbsp.org) accredits specific degree programs.

COLLEGE FOR CREATIVE STUDIES
Located in the heart of Detroit, the College for Creative Studies (CCS) educates artists and designers to be leaders in creative professions. A private, fully accredited college, CCS enrolls more than 1,400 students pursuing Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) and Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degrees.

Students in the BFA program can major in Advertising: Copywriting, Advertising Design, Crafts, Entertainment Arts, Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Design, Photography, Product Design and Transportation Design, in addition to a dual major Art Education program. Students in the MFA program can major in Interdisciplinary Design and Transportation Design. The College also offers non-credit courses in the visual arts through its Precollege and Continuing Studies programs and opportunities for youth through its Community Arts Partnerships programs.

CONTACTS:
Brenda Meller/Walsh College Marketing Director bmeller@walshcollege.edu or 248.823.1205
Rhonda Welsh/College for Creative Studies Assistant Director, Public Relations, rwelsh@collegeforcreativestudies.edu 313.664.7667
Alicia Boltach/Account Supervisor at Airfoil Public Relations boltach@airfoilgroup.com or 248.304.1453.