Assistant DeanSenior Director for the Performing Arts and DesignInterim Department Chair of Graphic Design
Holly Alford is the VCUarts Assistant Dean and the Senior Director for the Performing Arts and Design. Alford leads strategic initiatives that bridge creative practice, academic innovation and institutional growth. In this role, she oversees the strategic vision, curriculum development and execution of the Performing Arts and Design programs, while directing high-impact, cross-disciplinary projects that advance the school’s mission. With more than 27 years in higher education and as a career designer, Alford is dedicated to fostering collaborative, diverse and inclusive environments where students and faculty thrive. Alford earned her Master’s of Fine Arts in theatre – costume design from VCUarts, an Associate of Applied Science in fashion from the Fashion Institute of Technology, and a Bachelor of Arts in theatre from the University of Virginia.