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. 

We live in a noisy world.

From the moment we wake up, something is competing for our attention. Emails. Text messages. Television. News alerts. Social media. Podcasts. Advertising. Our calendars. And, of course, the seemingly endless notifications on our phones.

For a small business, breaking through all of that noise can be incredibly difficult.

You may have an amazing product, provide exceptional service or have a story worth telling—but how do you get people to stop long enough to hear it? How do you introduce your business to a new customer? And how do you build relationships when so much of today's communication happens through a screen?

That is one of the important roles the Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce plays in our community.

With more than 1,500 member businesses representing over 60,000 employees throughout our region, we work every day to create opportunities for businesses to be seen, heard and connected. And while we are proud to represent companies of every size, small businesses are truly at the heart of our organization and our local economy.

Sometimes the most valuable thing we can do is simply help create the opportunity for someone to discover a business they didn't know existed.

That's exactly what will happen on Thursday, August 27, from 4:30–7 p.m., when we gather at Robarts Arena for our annual Grand Expo.

All exhibitor booths are officially sold out, with more than 80 businesses ready to showcase who they are and what they do. We are expecting more than 400 attendees to walk through the doors, meet local business owners, discover new products and services and make connections that may lead to their next customer, vendor, partner—or simply a new relationship.

And because this is Sarasota, there will also be plenty of great food and beverages! Some of our area's wonderful restaurants will be providing samples and tastings throughout the evening, making this as much a celebration of our local business community as it is a traditional business expo.

One of the things I love most about events like this is watching connections happen in real time. A conversation begins. A business card is exchanged. Someone says, "I didn't know you did that." And suddenly a new opportunity exists that wasn't there five minutes earlier.

That's the power of bringing people together.

At the Sarasota Chamber, we talk often about being the voice of business. But being a voice also means making sure our businesses have an audience. In an increasingly noisy world, creating spaces where our local businesses can tell their stories, build relationships and be discovered matters more than ever.

I hope you'll join us on August 27 and spend an evening discovering some of the incredible businesses that make Sarasota such a special place to live, work and do business.

Admission is free. Reserve your ticket at sarasotachamber.com.

We'll see you at the Grand Expo!

Heather Kasten is the President/CEO of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce. 

Photo courtesy of The Greater Sarasota Chamber of Commerce.

Integrity. It’s such a common word, yet it’s rarely practiced or even recognized. The dictionary defines integrity as adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. Put simply, integrity is doing the right thing when no one is watching, and that is a principle that has guided me in my journey, starting with my experience at the Boys & Girls Clubs.

I’ve been a part of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Sarasota and DeSoto Counties since my sophomore year of high school. Through the organization, I’ve been given countless opportunities that have shaped who I am. Along the way, our achievements were celebrated by many community members and generous donors. At the fundraising dinners and events, you never really knew who was in the audience, but you could always feel the encouragement, belief, and support from everyone there.

One celebration, in particular, stands out in my memory. It was both a surprise and a groundbreaking moment in my life. I remember not really wanting to attend that day, but I went anyway. Looking back, I’m incredibly grateful that I did.

Throughout the event, I spoke with incredible people who were genuinely interested in my story, my goals, and the path I hoped to take in life. What I didn’t realize at the time was that, at another table, John Annis was speaking with Suriya Khong of the Boys & Girls Clubs about me.

As I was explaining to a group of people that I was considering attending Duquesne University “if I got the Gussin Scholarship,” John overheard the conversation. (Drs. Robert and Patricia Gussin generously fund a four-year scholarship to Duquesne that is awarded annually to local Boys & Girls Clubs members.) Curious, John asked Ms. Suriya how he could help. She simply told him not to worry about it—“wink, wink.”

I had no idea John already knew about me before that conversation. At the time, I didn’t even know who he was. Looking back, it’s amazing to realize that while I thought I was attending another event, people were quietly working behind the scenes to support my future.

Later at that event, I was called to the front of the room, and in my confusion I walked up. In a few moments, I was handed an envelope and looked up at Ms. Suriya, who gave me a reassuring smile. My mind started turning, and it hit me. I started thanking the Lord before I even opened the envelope. Inside it said: “Congratulations, Milordjie, you have been awarded the Gussin Scholarship.” I could not believe it. I looked up at the blurry figures in front of me, all looking just as shocked but also full of joy for me.

A while after that evening, I received a text from Ms. Suriya asking if I was interested in a summer internship at the Barancik Foundation. Although I’d never heard of the organization or anyone involved, I was all for it, and that’s where I officially met John. John knew me, but I didn’t know him until now. He told me about all the times he had seen me and heard about me, and I couldn’t help but think about how I might have been acting in those small, unnoticed encounters. For all I know, he could have chosen not to hire me if he saw something distasteful in my character.

Now I have the pleasure of saying I was an intern for the Charles & Margery Barancik Foundation, and it was one of the best things that happened to me. During my time, I had the amazing opportunity to visit various medical sites and other organizations in our community, such as MCR Health, Pines of Sarasota, Margie’s Market by All Faiths Food Bank, Forty Carrots Family Center, and many more! Through those site visits, I was fortunate to learn more about the health-care field and receive advice for my future endeavors. It was eye-opening to learn how broad nursing really is, and amazing to hear all the different stories from nurses who offered their advice and support. I was also able to help shape the foundation’s internship program for the next interns who follow me.

One of my most memorable visits was to Sarasota Memorial Hospital. I first had the mindset that I might not want to work in a hospital due to the rush, but the SMH visit completely surprised me. Now I can't see myself not working there in the future. During my visit, I was taken into the OR, the research lab, and the NICU. That day, I learned so many things I had never known before; I also saw the vast opportunities and choices embedded in nursing.

I understand now that it was because I took an interest in my community, starting with the Boys & Girls Clubs, that my community saw me and invested in my future. I believe opportunities like these are not given to just anyone; I believe they are earned through good character and commitment. They are presented because people are paying attention, recognizing not only your potential, but also your intentions, work ethic, and the support you need to succeed.

John Annis saw those qualities in me. He took the time to observe me, even though I didn’t know it, and believed I would be a great fit for the Foundation. As I researched the organization before I started, I saw that its core values of integrity, service, and stewardship resonated with my own. Now, as I start my next chapter at Duquesne University, I’m set on a great path, and I have the Boys & Girls Clubs and the Barancik Foundation team to thank for that.

Milordjie C. is a Booker High School graduate and a freshman at Duquesne University, where she is pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Nursing. 

Pictured: l-r - Mary O'Connor and Rebecca Feeley, Sarasota Memorial Hospital, with summer intern Milordjie C. and Kelly Romanoff, Barancik Foundation. Photo provided.