PRESS RELEASES

Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES) Places Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at the Cleveland Institute of Art

(December 12, 2025, WEST HARTFORD, CT) Following a national search, Academic Career & Executive Search (ACES), a leading higher education focused executive search firm, is pleased to announce the successful placement of Melanie Walker, securing the role as Vice President of Business Affairs and Chief Financial Officer at the Cleveland Institute of Art.

Melanie Walker is an accomplished finance leader with more than two decades of experience in higher education, healthcare, and large nonprofit systems. She earned her Executive MBA from Cleveland State University and maintains an active CPA licensure. Ms. Walker most recently served as Associate Dean of Finance and Administration at Case Western Reserve University’s School of Law, where she served as the school’s chief business officer on the executive leadership team and created fiscal policies and procedures to enhance internal controls. She brings a thorough knowledge of all aspects of financial planning and budgeting as well as expertise in human resource allocation and is known for her collaborative leadership style and commitment to support mission-driven work. Ms. Walker’s role will include shaping the college’s long-term financial resilience, guiding operating and capital budgets, supporting the school’s business model transformation and strategic planning initiatives, and leading her team of direct reports in the offices of Business Affairs, Human Resources and Facilities Management + Safety.

The Cleveland Institute of Art (CIA) is a nationally recognized college of art and design committed to nurturing creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence. Founded in 1882, CIA offers a rigorous studio-based education in 13 majors, including Illustration, Animation, Industrial Design, Game Design, Painting, Sculpture + Expanded Media, and more. With a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary learning, CIA prepares students to become professional artists and designers equipped to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving creative economy. CIA is consistently ranked among the top art and design colleges in the country and has earned recognition from U.S. News & World Report, Animation Career Review, and DesignIntelligence for the quality and impact of its programs.

Affordable Excellence

Academic Career & Executive Search, a higher education focused search firm, specializes in affordable excellence, providing perfectly matched candidates to institutions quickly and accurately. Their methodologies, based on frequent touchpoints, pinpoint ideal candidates with speed and meticulous care resulting in highly successful placements.

They offer flexible service/pricing levels for all positions, ensuring affordability. Contact Jennifer Muller, Managing Partner, at 860-740-2600 or Jennifer@ACESrch.com, or visit https://acesrch.com/.