To strengthen Pratt Institute’s mission to promote creative thinking both on and off campus, the college welcomes Nicole Haas as its Chief of Staff. Bringing almost 30 years of experience in executive leadership and higher education advocacy to this new position, Haas will be a trusted advisor to President Frances Bronet and will be a leader in growing connections across Pratt and with external partners. She will start on February 24 in this crucial role.
“I’m thrilled to welcome Nicole Haas to Pratt and I look forward to working closely with her,” said President Bronet. “She will be instrumental in bringing together voices on campus as we advance a meaningful environment of research, creative teaching and learning, and building internal and external partnerships. I am excited to have someone with such an impressive background in higher education leadership and a proven track record in developing effective collaborations as a representative of my office.”
Haas will be an important member of Pratt’s senior administration, collaborating with leaders around campus, providing counsel in administrative policy development and implementation, and analyzing issues and identifying initiatives with Institute-wide impacts. In addition to serving as a key member of the President’s Cabinet, she will manage presidential priorities, anticipate problems and critical issues, and identify opportunities as they arise. Haas will be a liaison between colleagues throughout the Institute so every department can work together to accomplish the goals of Pratt’s strategic plan. With a focus on external partnerships, Haas will build on and expand relationships with borough, city, state, and federal elected officials, as well as with multicultural, community-based, and civic organizations.
Since 2000, Haas has been a member of the executive administration at Brooklyn College, first as the Director of College and Community Relations and later as the Interim Director of the Office of Communications and Marketing. Most recently, Haas served as the Chief of Staff to the President and Executive Director of Governmental and External Affairs. In this position, she was responsible for institutional planning and assessment, development and execution of three institutional strategic plans, and the Middle States Accreditation process. She coordinated the College’s annual performance management report, mandated by the central administration of the City University of New York (CUNY), and was a key member of the President’s Cabinet, working closely with the vice presidents, provost, and academic deans.
“I look forward to the opportunity to serve President Bronet, whose energy, ideas, and strategic vision are an inspiration,” said Haas. “My priority is to advance Pratt’s mission, helping it to continue to grow as a diverse, creative, impactful, and excellent part of the Brooklyn and global arts education community.”
Prior to Brooklyn College, Haas held positions with the City University of New York (CUNY) and the New York Public Interest Research Group. Haas also worked as an associate for a private art dealer in Canada. She holds a BA from the University of Toronto.
Photo: Ron Hester Photography