A VISION FOR THE FUTURE University of Cincinnati College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
This is how breakthroughs happen.
A MESSAGE FROM THE DEAN At DAAP, we are charting an ambitious path forward, one that invests deeply in creative talent, fuels innovation across disciplines and strengthens the communities we serve. Your partnership accelerates this vision. A DAAP education equips students to think boldly, solve creatively and lead with the kind of insight that turns possibility into progress. Together, we can expand opportunity, empower transformative teaching and ignite breakthroughs that redefine what design can do for our region and beyond. Now is the moment to champion this vision—join us, invest boldly and help shape the breakthroughs that will define the future. STEPHANIE ZEIER PILAT, PhD Dean, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning
BREAKTHROUGHS BEGIN HERE At the University of Cincinnati’s College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP), breakthroughs begin where creativity, inquiry and purpose meet. DAAP has long been a place where bold ideas take shape— where students, faculty and alumni improve how we live, learn and connect. DAAP’s excellence is grounded in UC’s enduring commitment to innovation and creative practice, a foundation that empowers students and faculty to shape the future through transformative work. Here, design is not simply taught; it is lived across an iconic campus, a vibrant academic community and a city shaped by architecture, culture and civic imagination. As one of America’s leading creative hubs, Cincinnati serves as an extension of the DAAP experience, providing students direct access to influential firms, cultural organizations and civic partnerships driving innovation and change. Combined with UC’s nationally recognized cooperative education program, this environment prepares DAAP students not only to succeed in their fields, but to lead them. Through immersive studio practice, interdisciplinary learning, global experiences and deep community engagement, DAAP students develop the skills and confidence to address the defining challenges of our time—from sustainable design and equitable cities to emerging technologies and new forms of artistic expression. Now, DAAP stands at a pivotal moment. Our vision, anchored by creative excellence, discovery and impact is centered on three philanthropic priorities: • Fueling creative journeys by expanding access and empowering students through transformative learning experiences. • Igniting discovery by advancing faculty excellence, research and innovation that shape creative practice. • Catalyzing space and community by strengthening partnerships, places and public engagement that amplify impact. With philanthropic support, DAAP can expand access for talented students, accelerate discovery and innovation, strengthen the spaces where creativity thrives and share its impact more broadly in Cincinnati and beyond. The next chapter begins with you.
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“My scholarship has truly been a turning point in my academic journey. Being part of a user experience research project last semester opened my eyes to the impact design can have on people’s lives. Thanks to my experience at DAAP, I have been able to take on more complex projects, experiment with new tools and explore career opportunities that
I wouldn’t have had access to otherwise.” OLUWAFUNMILOLA FASAN, DAAP ’26 Landrum & Brown Scholarship
FUELING CREATIVE JOURNEYS DAAP education is transformative because it is immersive, ambitious and deeply connected to practice. Preparing students to become creative problem-solvers through hands-on learning is one of our most important responsibilities. To ensure every student can fully participate in the DAAP experience, we must expand access, reduce barriers and invest in the experiences and environments that support success.
Funding priorities include:
Scholarships and student support Attract exceptional talent and reduce financial barriers so they can focus on academic, artistic and personal growth.
Co-ops and experiential learning Expand professional placements and applied learning opportunities that strengthen career readiness and real-world problem solving.
Study abroad and global partnerships Support international study, travel and collaboration that broaden perspective and deepen creative practice.
Future-ready learning Power the next generation of innovators by investing in advanced software, AI-powered tools and emerging technologies that prepare students to shape the future of industry, creativity and discovery.
Maker labs and collaborative upgrades Strengthen DAAP’s core fabrication and production environments—including the wood shop, photo lab and print lab—through sustained technology investments that keep pace with industry standards.
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“At DAAP, we’re engaging in critical, intentional conversations about AI—shaping its future within the creative disciplines and preparing our students to become responsible agents of change in the industry.” CLAUDIA REBOLA, PhD Senior Associate Dean for Strategic Initiatives and Graduate Programs, Professor
IGNITE DISCOVERY DAAP’s impact extends beyond the classroom through faculty leadership, graduate education and creative research that shape disciplines and communities. Philanthropic investment can help DAAP attract and retain exceptional educators and scholars, support new models of teaching and inquiry, and advance ideas that influence practice across the university and around the world.
Philanthropic priorities include:
Endowed positions and research support Elevate faculty excellence and advance creative scholarship, research and professional practice.
Innovative teaching and studio models Foster interdisciplinary teaching and learning environments that reflect the future of creative education.
Graduate education and global research Support fellowships, advanced study and research partnerships that attract top talent and generate new knowledge.
Interdisciplinary research funds Advance collaborative projects that unite expertise across UC, accelerating bold ideas and expanding DAAP’s research and innovation capacity.
The DAAP history project Launch a program of scholarship, stewardship and storytelling that interprets DAAP’s legacy and celebrates the achievements of its students, faculty and alumni.
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“Interior design was the best degree to prepare me to be an entrepreneur because in DAAP you learn how to problem-solve and be solution-oriented.” KRISTEN TOMLAN, DAAP ’11 Founder, DŌ Cookie Dough Confections
Pictured above: Creative Impact awardees during the DAAPworks 2026 opening ceremony.
CATALYZING SPACE AND COMMUNITY DAAP’s influence is amplified by the spaces where creativity happens and the partnerships that connect its work to the wider world. From studios to galleries to civic collaborations and public exhibitions, these investments help DAAP strengthen its role as a cultural and creative force in Cincinnati and beyond.
Philanthropic priorities include:
Engage community through design Connect campus and community through exhibitions, outreach and collaborative programming that activate the university’s art collection, highlight UC’s distinctive design heritage and position the campus as a living laboratory for creativity and innovation.
Empower student creativity Invest in state-of-the-art facilities, studios and technology that enable innovation, support student success and advance DAAP’s mission.
DAAP archive Preserve the college’s history by collecting and archiving student work across generations, culminating in a landmark exhibition and major publication that tell the DAAP story at the scale it deserves.
Travelling DAAPworks Expand the reach of DAAP’s annual student exhibition by taking it to a different city each year, connecting alumni, prospective students and design communities to the energy and excellence of DAAP.
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THANK YOU Thank you for considering a gift to fuel DAAP’s breakthrough moment. The future of DAAP will be shaped by the people who believe in the power of creativity to change lives and communities. With your partnership, DAAP can fuel student success, ignite discovery and create the communities that allow bold ideas to flourish. Together, we will ensure that breakthrough begins here—and that its impact is felt far beyond campus, across Cincinnati and throughout the world.
CONTACT Stephanie Zeier Pilat, PhD Dean, College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning University of Cincinnati Stephanie.Pilat@ucmail.uc.edu 513-556-4933 Ashley Smith Senior Director of Development University of Cincinnati Foundation Ashley.Smith@foundation.uc.edu 513-561-1211
This is how breakthroughs happen.
University of Cincinnati Foundation | PO Box 19970 | Cincinnati, OH 45219-0970
foundation.uc.edu