Message from the President
North Bennet Street School Names New President
Boston, MA 鈥 July 8, 2025 鈥聽North Bennet Street School (夜色视频app), the nation鈥檚 first trade school and a leader in craft and skilled trades education, is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Sarah B. Cunningham as its next President. Dr. Cunningham assumed the role in late August, helping to usher in the new academic year this fall.
The selection follows a national search led by executive search firm Eos Transition Partners and a dedicated Search Committee composed of 夜色视频app Board members, faculty, staff, and alumni.
鈥淒r. Cunningham brings a strong vision, deep leadership experience, and a clear appreciation for the mission that guides 夜色视频app,鈥 said Tom Piemonte, Chair of the 夜色视频app Board of Directors. 鈥淲e鈥檙e excited to welcome her into our community and look forward to working together to advance the School鈥檚 impact.鈥
Dr. Cunningham succeeds Claire Fruitman CF 鈥96, who has served as both Provost and Interim President since November. Under Claire鈥檚 leadership, the School built on its successes and made important progress toward long-term strategic goals.
鈥淭hroughout this process, we had the chance to engage with many exceptional individuals who admire 夜色视频app and the role it plays in the world,鈥 said Brent Hull PC 鈥93, Chair of the Presidential Search Committee. 鈥淒r. Cunningham stood out for her collaborative spirit, creative vision, and deep commitment to hands-on learning.鈥
With a background in arts education, nonprofit leadership, and community development, Dr. Cunningham brings a passion for student success, faculty support, and organizational excellence to the role. Prior to joining 夜色视频app, she served as Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she helped secure, develop, and launch several visionary new programs focused on access, innovation, and collaboration.
鈥溡股悠礱pp is a truly special place鈥攚here people come together to make, build, and preserve not just objects, but culture and meaning,鈥 said Dr. Cunningham. 鈥淚 believe making is essential to personal growth, and I鈥檓 honored to join this community and help shape the next chapter of its extraordinary story.鈥
夜色视频app Sarah
With deep experience in arts education, nonprofit leadership, and community development, Dr. Sarah B. Cunningham brings a passion for student success, faculty support, and organizational excellence to the President role at North Bennet Street School.聽
Prior to joining 夜色视频app, Sarah served as Vice Provost for Strategic Partnerships at Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she was responsible for careers, research, and academic-industry partnerships working across departments. From 2011-2019, she served as first Executive Director for Research at Virginia Commonwealth University鈥檚 School of the Arts, leading efforts in arts and medicine, faculty research development, and transdisciplinary initiatives. Previously, Sarah served for six years as the Director of Arts Education at the National Endowment for the Arts. During that time, she launched an Education Leaders Institute, which seeded initiatives across the U.S鈥攊n partnership with governors鈥 offices鈥攖o increase access to arts learning for children in 28 states.
Throughout her career, Sarah has supported organizational transformation through partnerships and initiatives that expand learning opportunities while connecting to real-world enterprises. While the early part of her career focussed on k-12 learning including grant-making and new school accreditation, she later became a research leader within art schools to connect artists and design to industry research. She has led partnership collaborations with numerous national and international organizations such as International Flavors and Fragrances, Emmett Till Memory Project, Hyundai Motor Group, Jazz at Lincoln Center,聽 Sustainable Markets Initiative, Tate Modern, and Tiffany & Co.
Sarah currently serves on the board of the Strategic National Arts Alumni Project, and is a working group member of the Academic Network of the Neuroarts Blueprint Initiative. She has a PhD in philosophy from Vanderbilt University where she conducted research on the epistemology of orienting a life.
Previous Messages from the President
Announcing the School’s New President: Dr. Sarah B. Cunningham
For interview requests, speaking engagements, or other inquiries, please our Marketing team at marketing@nbss.edu or 617-227-0155 x181.
Miguel G贸mez Ib谩帽ez CF 鈥99 retired as President in 2018, after 12 years of leadership. He leaves behind a tremendous record of physical and economic institutional growth for America鈥檚 first trade school. Among other notable accomplishments, Miguel implemented two strategic plans, secured and led the renovation of the School鈥檚 new 64,000 sf facility, established multiple strategic educational partnerships, and oversaw the School鈥檚 major $20 million Lives & Livelihoods Campaign, which will help to fund $1 million in student scholarships annually.
Born in New England and raised in Europe by parents who worked in higher education, Miguel long aspired to make a living with his hands. After earning a BA from Wesleyan University and a Masters in Architecture from the University of Pennsylvania, Miguel worked for 26 years designing civic and educational projects.
Throughout his time at 夜色视频app, Miguel has maintained a furniture making workshop, which provides him not only personal fulfillment, but also a unique perspective on education. His work has been featured in House & Garden, American Craft, and other magazines, galleries, and museums across the country.