Meet the Open Studies Team
Open Studies
Fueling Your Creativity
We fuel creative journeys through convenient and innovative learning models that provide broad access to MICAs rigorous art and design education.
Open Studies Team
Amy Hodges received her BA in Photography from Virginia Intermont College and a Master of Liberal Arts from Johns Hopkins University. Amy joins Open Studies (OS) as the Director of Administrative Services after thirteen years as the Executive Assistant in the Provost’s office.
In this newly redefined role, Amy will help advance the work of OS as part of the leadership team and work to ensure that it has strong business practices that support innovation and growth. She will be providing strategic leadership for the creation, implementation, and organization of project and resource management strategies with the goal of achieving greater office efficiency and effectiveness. Amy will also create plans to ensure agility and effectiveness of OS hiring practices for contract faculty and staff while managing processes associated with compliance, contracting onboarding, and record keeping. In addition, she will work to balance operational budget requirements to achieve long term business goals.
Amy is the recipient of MICA’s Lori L. Stuart Award in 2014 and the Fred Worthington Memorial Award in 2019.
Ashley LaBoda earned a PhD and MA in Spanish Linguistics, both from the University at Albany, SUNY in Albany, NY and a BA in Spanish and French from Houghton College. After completing her graduate studies, Ashley worked at Franklin and Marshall College and George Washington University, where, in addition to teaching, she coordinated the Spanish curriculum and directed an assessment of student achievement of learning goals and outcomes—thus sparking her interest in the administrative side of academia. She then joined Verto Education as the founding Course Director of the Spanish language program where she developed the curriculum and trained faculty to deliver courses abroad.
Ashley joined MICA full time in the department of Open Studies in December 2020 as the Director of Curriculum Design and Development. Her role entails providing faculty training and support, with a focus on promoting best practices in teaching and learning; ensuring quality and accessibility of course design and delivery; and aligning institutional and program goals with course objectives and learning outcomes.
Dashielle Horn earned an MA and PhD in English from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA, following a BA in English and History from Salisbury University. While completing her graduate work, she taught first-year writing and literature courses at Lehigh before moving on to lead the tutoring center and College Writing programs at SUNY Purchase College. Because her doctoral research is not particularly relevant to the work she currently does, it’s now more of a hobby! She focused on British women novelists of the eighteenth century. Her dissertation investigated the formation of the spinster figure and early women writers’ efforts to write opportunities for single lives into existence. Other hobbies include needlecraft and adopting senior cats— she has a clear personal brand.
Dashielle joined MICA's Open Studies department in June 2020 and serves as the Director of Graduate Student Success for the MPS programs (Data Analytics and Visualization, the Business of Art and Design, Product Management, and UX Design) as well as the dual degree MA/MBA Design Leadership program in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. Her role entails overseeing admissions processes, providing student support, managing student academic standing processes (leaves, withdrawals, probations, dismissals, and returns), developing programming, and strategic leadership regarding student success and retention.
Dashielle was awarded the 2023 Distinguished Service to Graduate Students Award.
Hashi Jayasinghe arrived in the US on a Fulbright scholarship and earned a PhD and MA in Comparative Literature and Cultural Studies, both from the University at Arkansas. Her BA in English is from the University of Peradeniya in Sri Lanka.
After completing her graduate studies, Hashi worked as adjunct faculty for the Liberal Arts departments at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, Colorado Community Colleges, University of New Hampshire, Richard Bland College of William and Mary, University of Wyoming, and Laramie County Community College. She then joined Verto Education as the Associate Director of Academics and Faculty Development where she developed curriculum and conducted professional development training for faculty, student success coordinators, and programming staff in seven global locations.
Hashi joined MICA full-time in the Department of Open Studies in December 2022 as the Instructional Designer. Her role entails designing courses for Open Studies, faculty tech support, promoting best practices for the delivery of class content online, and creating professional development opportunities for faculty.
During her free time, she loves to read non-fiction, dabble with watercolor painting, and hike with her two dogs.
Jacqueline Clements is an artist at heart and an administrator by trade. Having successfully served two tours of duty as a Marine, Jacqueline transitioned into the civilian sector by way of the steel industry. She brings a wealth of knowledge gained from her experience in the military to working in the non-profit sector. She also worked as a freelance photographer, photographing weddings and portraits. She later landed a position with The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) as the Human Resources Coordinator, where she served as the liaison between Baltimore City Administration and BMA staff. After a few years in her position with the BMA, interest in neighboring Johns Hopkins University (JHU) was developed. Employment with JHU provided a wider range of opportunities; to include work in the areas of recruitment, benefits, and employee relations. Jacqueline retired from JHU in August 2019 and joined MICA in November 2019.
Kate Porter earned both her B.F.A in Photography and M.A.T. at MICA. She also earned a certificate of Advanced Study in Organizational Change, College of Graduate Studies and Research at Towson University and holds an MSDE Advanced Professional Teaching Certificate Art PreK-12 as well as being MSDE Administrator I and II Certified. Prior to coming to MICA, Kate worked as the program director for Youth in Focus (a non-profit youth development photography organization in Seattle, WA) and as the assistant principal for the Baltimore Design School.
Kate served as the director of youth and community education in Open Studies for 5 years. In this role she provided strategic and logistical leadership and direction for all programs serving young students (grades K-12) and community education for life-long learners through MICA’s Open Studies academic unit. These programs included: Young People’s Studios/High School Studios; the PreCollege Art and Design Residency Program; the Art and Design College Accelerator Program; Community Education; and Professional Practice. The director also managed and implement any new or special initiatives related to the K-12 or community audiences.
Kate was promoted to Associate Dean of Open Studies in April 2022 where she focuses on leading organizational strategy, strengthening operational efficiency and effectiveness, oversight and management of area policy, regulatory compliance, accreditation, assessment, program review, academic services and resources, etc. for all Open Studies programming including degree programs, lifelong learning programs, and youth programs and Enrollment Services processes.
Beginning in 2024, Kate assumed the Interim Dean role for Open Studies and Enrollment Services.
Katie earned a Bachelor of Arts in History with a concentration in the Civil Rights Movement from the University of Baltimore in 2006. In 2011, she earned a Master of Arts in Legal and Ethical studies, also from UB.
Her professional experiences include work as an Academic Specialist at University of Baltimore in the Legal, Ethical, and Historical Studies department, and various roles with the full and part time MBA programs at the Carey Business School.
Katie joined the Open Studies department at MICA in May of 2022, and is thrilled to have joined such a dynamic and enthusiastic team. Outside of building a career in higher education, Katie enjoys many passions: gardening, hiking, pit bull and rescue dog advocacy, taking long walks around Baltimore, knitting, baking, concert going, eating great food, watching movies, and reading - especially historical non-fiction and fantasy novels - and spending time with her wife and two teenage children.
Nakita has earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Language & Literature from the University of Maryland-College Park an M.S. in Professional Writing from Towson University ,and a doctoral degree in Lifelong Learning in Adult Education with a focus in Online & Distance Education from the Pennsylvania State University. Her professional experiences include direct student support in roles at the Pennsylvania State University and Anne Arundel Community College. Outside of her experiences working in Higher Education, Nakita has also worked at a non-profit, where she provided programmatic support to grant dedicated to increasing the number of underrepresented students earning graduate degrees in STEM.
Nakita joined the Open Studies team in October 2021, her work in the unit focuses on holistic support to students enrolled in the MPS programs (Data Analytics and Visualization, the Business of Art and Design, Product Management, and UX Design) as well as the dual degree MA/MBA Design Leadership program in partnership with Johns Hopkins University. Her dissertation worked to understand how adult-learners seek and utilize information during the college admissions process.
Her hobbies include listening to and singing along to her favorite songs, attending concerts, traveling, and watching a ton of reality tv and anime.
Natovian McLeod graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) in 2015 with her BFA in General Fine Arts and her Master of Art in Teaching in 2016.
She was an Elementary Art Teacher in Baltimore County Public Schools for 6 years and in 2022 she was awarded Maryland Elementary Art Teacher of the Year.
Natovian has facilitated professional development focused on artist reflection, literacy skills, and student engagement. Her practice addresses anti-racist and culturally responsive practices in art.
Before becoming the Director of Youth Programs and Community Education at MICA, Natovian was the program coordinator for MICA's Art and Design College Accelerator Program (ADCA) and for the PreCollege Art and Design Residency Program. She is committed to arts education and hopes to promote more access and educational opportunities for students in Baltimore.
Samuel King earned a Bachelor of Science in Secondary Education from the University of Louisville. Previously a high school social studies teacher, he taught American history and civics to 12th graders in Kentucky. Additionally, Samuel has experience in both the private sector and higher education as a software administrator.
Samuel joined the MICA Open Studies faculty in April 2023 and specializes in instructional technology administration. Samuel holds multiple IT certifications and is continuing to earn additional certifications for professional development.
While no longer in the classroom, Samuel defines himself as a teacher at heart and prides himself on being involved in higher education administration and helping to deliver quality education for all students.
Shannon Stevens joined MICA in September 2011 and currently serves as the Director of Student Relations and Records for Open Studies. In addition to managing the registration team, she oversees all registration and enrollment operations, leads admissions processes and creates accurate and meaningful data reports to help inform decisions that positively impact enrollment in OS programs. Prior to her time at MICA, she worked as a professional makeup artist, which is still a passion of hers in addition to skincare.
When she's not working, she loves to spend time with her family, particularly her fur babies and enjoys going on hikes and spending time at the beach when the weather allows it.
Tonya has earned a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral and Social Studies, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Learning Design and Technology from University of Maryland Global Campus. In addition, she has earned a Master's in Secondary Education from George Washington University.
Professionally, she has worked in the private sector as well as government industry in Office Management, Administration, Graphic Design and Real Estate. Most recently, she has worked in Education, as a Learning Facilitator and Team Lead.
Joining Open Studies in November 2021, she continues to provide support to students through the registration and student life cycle.
Some of her interests include traveling, shopping, cooking, and dancing.
