Suzanne Snyder, dean of Pratt Munson College of Art and Design, has been elected to the Board of Directors of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD), which was established in 1944 to improve educational practices and maintain high professional standards in art and design education and now serves more than 320 institutions nationwide.

“Munson is proud of Dean Snyder’s election to the NASAD Board, a fitting recognition by her colleagues of her leadership and insight into the ever-evolving field of arts in higher education,” said Munson President and CEO Anna D’Ambrosio.

NASAD establishes national standards for undergraduate and graduate degrees and other credentials for art, design, and related disciplines; fosters the development of high-quality instruction while simultaneously encouraging varied and experimental approaches to teaching art and design; and counsels and assists schools in developing their programs and encourages self-evaluation and continuing studies toward improvement.

In this national leadership role, Snyder will help guide accreditation standards, support peer institutions, and contribute to NASAD’s work with international equivalencies, ensuring that programs align with global expectations for rigor, quality, and student learning.

“It is an honor to serve on the NASAD Board alongside colleagues dedicated to advancing art and design education,” said Snyder. “Accreditation is not just about compliance; it’s about fostering excellence, innovation, and equitable access. I look forward to helping ensure that our programs remain rigorous, relevant, and responsive to today’s students and the creative industries.”

Snyder previously served as the site evaluator and chair for NASAD, and was the chair of education for the American Institute of Graphic Arts in Burlington. Prior to joining Pratt Munson, Snyder served for 13 years as the program director in the Graphic Design and Visual Communications Department at Champlain College in Burlington, Vt. Her many endeavors at Champlain included launching and directing successful and innovative new programs and classes, in addition to teaching graphic design beginning in 2008 and reaching full professorship in 2021.

For media inquiries or more information, please contact Katie Voce, communications manager, at 315-797-0000 ext. 2147 or via email at kvoce@munson.art.