Many people recognize Ringling College of Art and Design for the incredible creative achievements of its students and alumni. What you might not know is how much our internationally recognized creative spirit thrives on a welcoming and open campus culture, one that’s fueled by kindness, acceptance, and of course, fun!

As hard as we push our students in the classroom, Ringling College maintains an important ethos when it comes to creative expression: Ideas and imagination grow best when given room and nourishment in the form of positive social bonds, varied experiences, and the leeway to explore in every direction. We want everyone to have space to wander.

Our on-campus programs facilitate a supportive environment. Comprehensive counseling services, robust residential life and inclusivity initiatives to name just a few, help to ensure that our students are able to enjoy healthy, welcoming, inspiring, emotionally restorative experiences inside and especially outside of the classroom.

Ringling College draws a full spectrum of students from around the world, and sometimes that cultural transition can be even harder than the courseload. Our campus facilities and services are designed to aid students in whatever difficulties they might be experiencing—including language barriers, cultural differences, physical disabilities, LGBTQ+ identities, and neurodiversities.

When we support all of our students in maintaining their mental health and mitigating their on-campus struggles, we promote a much more successful college experience for them as individuals. In turn, their presence enriches the people around them and the campus as a whole.

But truly, when it comes to positivity and joyful inclusion, our students themselves lead the way. Not only do our young people possess seemingly unfathomable levels of artistic talent and ingenuity; their kindness knows no bounds.

For all that we can set up institutional initiatives on behalf of our students, they consistently take their own initiative to create events, groups, and regular gatherings—most of which are just as imaginative as the works they create for class. (The Ringling College website provides a “sampling” of student-run clubs; there are more than 40 listed.) Students regularly host a full array of cathartic parties and get-togethers, from foam dance parties to fantasy tea parties, and more.

And they simply take time out of their busy schedules to get to know the student who’s new, or who’s shy, or who might be struggling. They make sure that that student knows that they are a valued part of this incredible community. I hear stories like these more than once a semester.

Not only do these experiences promote mental health and inspire creativity; they allow our talented student body to explore the myriad environments to which they can contribute, professionally and personally. The support from their peers allows them to envision bold new futures.

This warmhearted culture was established well before my arrival in 1999. In fact, it was that overwhelming sense of togetherness, of family, that ultimately sealed my decision to come to Ringling College. And as I prepare to embark on my final academic year as President, I’m proud to say that our growth in size and prominence over the last quarter-century has not diminished our caring community. Indeed, I believe our campus is as welcoming, diverse, and supportive as it’s ever been.

Dr. Larry Thompson is president of Ringling College of Art & Design. 

Photo by Cecilia Marty '26 Photography and Imaging.

In any thriving city, leadership matters—and not just at the ballot box. While elected officials help shape and create the vision, it’s the city manager who is often tasked with making that vision real. The city manager is the operational backbone of local government—the one responsible for turning policy into action, leading staff, managing budgets, and ensuring the day-to-day functioning of city services that residents and businesses depend on.

Our city is in the midst of big conversations and even bigger decisions—about affordable housing, infrastructure, economic development, workforce retention, environmental resilience, and the future vision of our downtown. A strong city manager will be the person to navigate those complex issues, work with policymakers to execute priorities, and serve as a stabilizing force when challenges inevitably arise.

For the business community, a capable city manager means predictability, responsiveness, and collaboration. It means permitting processes that don’t drag on endlessly. It means infrastructure that keeps up with demand. It means a clear understanding of the economic levers that drive opportunities.

And for residents, the impact is just as real. A great city manager ensures that the trash gets picked up, the streets are safe, the parks are well-kept, and the city’s growth is managed with integrity and intention.

The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce urges our elected officials to move decisively and thoughtfully in this search. Let’s bring in the right search firm, establish clear qualifications and expectations, and listen to input from the community—while resisting the temptation to let politics override progress.

We need someone with leadership, experience, vision, and heart. Someone who understands how to run a city well—and how to preserve what makes Sarasota special, while preparing it for what’s next. We only get one chance to get this right. 

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce is a not-for-profit organization that works to cultivate Sarasota's prosperity and quality of life through our member businesses, for more information please call (941) 955-8187 or visit us at www.sarasotachamber.com 

Photo courtesy of Visit Sarasota.