Dr. Brenda S. Faison is a distinguished academic and museum director with a robust background in art and design education. She holds a Ph.D. in Art Education with a concentration in Computer Graphics in Art and Design from the Ohio State University, a Master of Product Design (M.P.D.) in Visual Design from North Carolina State University, and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Visual Communication Design from North Carolina Central University.
Currently, Dr. Faison serves as the director of the NCCU Art Museum and the chair of the Department of Art and Design at North Carolina Central University. In these roles, she oversees the curation and management of the museum, develops educational programs, and leads efforts towards National Association of Schools of Art and Design (NASAD) accreditation. Her responsibilities also include curriculum revisions and the development of new concentrations.
Before joining NCCU, Dr. Faison was a professor and the chair of the Department of Art at Claflin University, where she also directed the Arthur Rose Museum. She successfully led the department through accreditation processes, curriculum revisions, and enhanced partnership development and strategic planning initiatives.
Dr. Faison's experience includes a decade-long tenure at North Carolina A&T State University as an associate professor and the chair of the Department of Graphic Design Technology, where she worked with the Women in Technology group. She has also held academic positions at Virginia Commonwealth University and Kennesaw State University.
In addition to her academic and administrative roles, Dr. Faison founded and led Designbase Associates, Inc., a graphic design firm in the Raleigh-Durham area, where she worked with prominent clients such as GE, NIEHS, and GlaxoSmithKline. Her corporate work experience includes significant impacts in the IBM Design Center in RTP, NC, including graphic design and the development of conceptual drawings for innovative technologies.
Dr. Faison is also the accomplished author of "New Media Careers for Artists and Designers," a book that educates students and professionals on the impact of emerging technologies on creative careers. Her research and expertise have earned her numerous awards and honors, including the Exemplary Teaching and Service Award from NCCU.
Dr. Faison has been instrumental in securing significant funding and developing corporate partnerships for academic institutions. She has brought in substantial grants, as well as donations including a $1,000,000 donation from the Ernie Barnes Legacy Project, a $150,000 donation for students in need, and various grants from the North Carolina Arts Council, the US Department of Education, and others. She has also developed successful corporate partnerships, including collaborations with Apple Computer, Avid Technologies, and Silicon Graphics, Inc. These partnerships have provided invaluable resources, technology, and opportunities for students and faculty, enhancing the educational experience and supporting innovative research.
With a commitment to academic excellence, innovative thinking, and community engagement, Dr. Brenda S. Faison continues to inspire and lead in the fields of art and design education and museum management.