Leadership

David Sprouls
President

president@nysid.edu
212-452-4191

President David Sprouls has a long history with NYSID, serving as vice president of enrollment management and director of admissions before being appointed president in 2012. Before his tenure at NYSID, President Sprouls worked in admissions in Albright College and the Fashion Institute of Technology. He received a BA in Art History and American Studies from Rutgers College and a BFA in Restoration from the Fashion Institute of Technology.

Read a Q&A with the president.

Dr. Ellen Fisher
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean

efisher@nysid.edu
212-452-4170

Ellen Fisher has been with NYSID since 1999, beginning her career at the College as a member of the faculty, and later becoming lower division area coordinator, associate vice president for academic affairs, and ultimately, vice president of academic affairs and dean in 2012. Fisher is a New York State certified interior designer, with graduate degrees in teaching with technology, and architectural studies. She earned a PhD in Architectural Studies/Human Environmental Sciences from the University of Missouri in 2011. For many years, she maintained an active design practice in the New York metropolitan area. Her many areas of expertise include evidence-based design, design & literacy, and digital learning.

Jane Chen
Vice President for Finance and Administration

jchen@nysid.edu
212-452-4178

 
Jane Chen came to NYSID as chief financial officer in 2003, and became vice president for finance and administration in 2004. She serves as the chief financial officer on all fiscal matters and oversees the management of all NYSID’s financial and administrative functions. Prior to her role at NYSID, she worked in finance/accounting for the American Federation of Arts, The New School, and The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Jane Chen is a certified public accountant, with a MA in accounting from the University of Georgia and a BS in accounting/finance from National Taiwan University.  

Board of Trustees and Advisory Board

NYSID is fortunate to have an energetic and involved Board of Trustees, made up of interior designers, textile designers, gallery owners, financial officers, furniture and antique dealers, and entrepreneurs. “Boards are often not very involved in the day-to-day life of a school, but our Board is really loyal and invested in moving the institution forward in the growing professionalization of the field,” said NYSID board Chairman Emeritus Patricia Sovern.

The Board of Trustees has ultimate responsibility for the financial, administrative, and academic affairs of NYSID. The role of a trustee is a vitally important one. It is the Board that, collectively, bears fiduciary responsibility for the College and provides for its overall leadership. The Board works closely with the president and senior administration in developing the institution’s near-and long-term goals, setting major policies, and approving curricula and budgets, managing the College’s assets, and spending of the capital funds.

The Advisory Board is made up of successful designers, architects, and executives from related industries. They give the College guidance on new developments in the design fields as well as help forging relationships and creating opportunities for NYSID students.

Board of Trustees

Ellen Kravet, Chairman
David Sprouls, NYSID President

Chesie Breen
Jill H. Dienst
James P. Druckman
Cheryl S. Durst
Ingrid Ongaro Edelman
John Edelman
Susan Zises Green
Alexa Hampton
Young Huh
David Kleinberg
Courtney R. McLeod
Dennis Miller
Betsey Ruprecht
Brad Schneller
David Scott
Gale Singer

Eric J. Gering, Faculty Trustee
Inge Heckel, Trustee Emerita
Patricia M. Sovern, Chairman Emeritus

Advisory Board

Robin Klehr Avia
Michael Bruno
Kathleen M. Doyle
Ross J. Francis
Mariette Himes Gomez
Gerald A. Holbrook
Thomas Jayne
Wolfram Koeppe
Charlotte Moss
Barbara Ostrom
Sylvia Owen
Ann Pyne
Peter Sallick
Calvin Tsao
Bunny Williams
Vicente Wolf