The world’s most creative minds can’t be found in one place. They span the globe, speaking various languages, following myriad customs, and facing different challenges. Today’s artists and designers address worldwide issues and share their perspectives across borders and time zones. Challenges that once took place on the other side of the world are now finding their way into our Facebook feeds, inboxes, and dinner table conversations and vice versa. This is why educational institutions should be looking beyond their backyards in search of talented students who can bring their experiences and perspectives into the classroom and the community. But how do we do this respectfully? And what does this mean for our growing campuses and changing student bodies?

As President of Ringling College of Art and Design, I delight in the diverse nature of the art and design community, here on campus and beyond. Creatives are already a bit different—they see the world in a unique way and are drawn to those who dare to join them. This month, I will travel to Seoul, South Korea, with Seongwoo Nam, an Interior Design faculty member who also serves as a senior advisor to me on global initiatives. Not only are we are going to meet our students from South Korea who have been accepted into Ringling College, but also to learn more about the region from which a fifth of our international student population hails. I am excited to introduce our institution to the creatives and academics in the country and meet the faces of our new students and their families. These are the faces of the future—the emerging class of artists that will decide where the industry goes—and I want to know what they are looking for in their creative college experience. Over the course of 10 days, we will attend a Ringling College Accepted Students Day in Seoul and visit Incheon Global Campus, Korean Advanced Institute of Technology, SUNY Korea, and 'magnet' high schools for Animation and Visual media, to name a few. 

This is my first trip to South Korea, but Seongwoo has been speaking to prospective students, accepted students, and curious families and friends in the country for years. A true ambassador, he has connected with the parents of our students and forged relationships that pave the way for a cross-cultural dialogue about education, creativity, Ringling College, and, of course, Sarasota, Florida. This dialogue is critical; with every conversation we better understand our students and families in the region, and, as a result, can provide them with the tools, information, and support they need to make informed choices about their education.

Ringling College has seen a tremendous growth in our overall international student enrollment. About 16% of our student population is international – 21% of this 16% from Korea. But, our students do not just come from Korea or even Asia. They come to the College and to Sarasota from all over the globe—65 countries overall. And this is important because having a critical mass of international students adds so much to the education of our American students and to the Sarasota community at large. Having this kind of diversity prepares all of our students to live in today’s global environment, working side-by-side with people who carry different perspectives.

International recruitment is certainly not a new phenomenon. But we aren’t talking strictly about recruitment. Our global initiatives are an exercise in understanding the needs and questions of our qualified students living in other countries and learning how to respond. This is a two-way street—we want the most talented filmmakers, photographers, designers, writers, and artists, no matter where they come from, and our prospective students want a top-quality education preparing them for their future. The mission of Ringling College is to create highly employable and globally aware artists and designers. To realize this goal we need to listen first, and respond second. Personally, I look forward to hearing from the other side of the world.

Dr. Larry R. Thompson is President of Ringling College of Art and Design.