There are two types of people in this world; those who think there are two types of people, and everybody else. And I am lucky enough to work with the second kind of people.

For those of you who know Ringling College of Art and Design, this will come as no surprise. Some of the most creative people I’ve known in my career can be found among Ringling’s students, faculty, and staff—a special community of innovative thinkers.

I am officially three months into my tenure as Ringling College’s seventh president. I spent my spring wrapping up my 25th year at Lake Forest College in Illinois, organizing my family’s move to Sarasota, and learning as much as I could about Ringling College and Sarasota.

Much of what makes Ringling College so wonderful is due to both its impressive 95-year history and its astounding growth during Dr. Larry R. Thompson’s 27 years of distinguished leadership. Larry is a giant of the College’s history and legacy, and I am honored to follow his visionary tenure.

I am often asked what drew me to Ringling College, and the answer is simple: I believe we need creative people now more than ever. The ability to tell stories that help us better understand our world is one of the most important human activities.

Think about all the amazing scientific achievements of the last centuries, and you will be astounded. And now, think about how you know about those achievements: through song, story, film, illustration, games.

The art we make and the way we design our world make up what and how we think about our world. Without art and design, and the creatives who possess these skills, we won’t be able to understand the full spectrum of human experience.

At Lake Forest College, I taught everything from courses on new technologies (Artificial Intelligence, Selfies, Drones!) to more traditional literary subjects and creative writing. My co-taught course on the Grateful Dead and American Culture was a way to process American history through a specific cultural lens. Most recently, I’ve focused on the fraught intersection of AI, ethics, and creativity through Mellon-funded initiatives that bring artists, writers, technologists, and students into conversation.

This background lets me see what sets Ringling College apart from its peers. We have an international reputation, including academic excellence; I have been particularly impressed with the College’s focus on turning student passion into profession.

And Ringling’s magic doesn’t stop with the students. We reach deeply into the wider Sarasota community. From Sarasota Art Museum, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), the College’s TOWN HALL Speaker Series, and Galleries and Exhibitions, to long-standing relationships with our supporters, the broader Ringling community is truly special.

It’s no secret that across the country, higher education and the creative industries are navigating significant changes and challenges; these are far from unique to Ringling College. I am confident we will work to strengthen the College’s national and international profile, expand opportunities for our students, support academic innovation, and prepare creative leaders for a rapidly changing world.

One of my wisest mentors once told me that all organizations have different chapters, and while those chapters may have different words, each is part of the same book. Much of this book has yet to be written, and at Ringling College, creative ideas take many forms beyond words on a page. So, let’s create the future chapters—in all forms of media—together.

I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming months. You can find me on campus, of course, but you might also look for me at a Sarasota ice cream shop near you.

Dr. Davis Schneiderman is the President of Ringling College of Art and Design.