Executive Director, Office of Partnerships
College for Creative Studies
Detroit, Michigan, United States
After over 18 years at the College for Creative Studies, Shannon McPartlon now leads the Office of Partnerships, playing a pivotal role in managing collaborations with business leaders, foundations, government agencies, and community organizations. She fosters impactful experiences for students, faculty, and staff, facilitating connections that span local, national, and international contexts to enhance experiential learning across the CCS campus. Shannon bridges creative education and industry, amplifying awareness of local issues through the lens of art and design.
Throughout her tenure, Shannon has overseen more than 400 industry partnerships, engaging over 3,000 students, faculty, and staff. Her efforts have been instrumental in driving industry partnerships, philanthropic contributions, and career development initiatives, raising over $18 million to support CCS’s educational partnerships and strategic goals in art and design. Through her leadership, she has championed for-credit internships, facilitated on-campus recruitment events, and developed strategies to increase visibility for CCS students, helping them gain valuable experience and improve career readiness. Shannon’s collaborations with industry partners include offering networking opportunities, company presentations, portfolio reviews, and career coaching, all designed to prepare students for professional success.
Shannon has managed over 300 industry partnerships, which engaged over 2,500 students, faculty, and staff. She also leads career development at CCS, connecting students and alumni to professional development opportunities and resources that will aid them in identifying and obtaining their personal career goals.
During her time at CCS, she has worked closely with Industrial Design companies, faculty, and students to bring awareness to the importance and impact that Industrial Design has on the global community.
Shannon earned a B.S. in Communication from Cornell University.
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Increase First Gen Career Readiness: Arts and Liberal Arts Students
Tuesday, June 10, 2025
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