BALTIMORE — Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA) announced the appointment of Rita Walters as vice president for advancement. Walters brings to MICA diverse fundraising achievements in an array of areas, including higher education. In her new role, she will oversee MICA’s development and communications arms, with goals of enhancing established relationships with key constituencies, expanding the College’s donor base, increasing visibility, reinforcing understanding of the increasing value and impact of art and design education, and further building the MICA brand.
“Rita’s mission-based fundraising experience, high energy, commitment to higher education, passion for the arts, collaborative spirit and innovative mindset are a great match with MICA and where we are going in the future,” President Samuel Hoi said. “She will help us maximize MICA’s extraordinary potential by expanding our family of supporters.”
Over her career, Walters has helped to secure millions of dollars for education and nonprofit organizations, most recently as chief development officer for the Washington National Cathedral, where she worked to increase the endowment, more consistently and closely engaged donors, and developed new fundraising initiatives.
Prior to joining the Washington National Cathedral, she was a senior associate director of development for Johns Hopkins University Zanvyl Krieger School of Arts and Sciences; director of development for the Baltimore Presbytery; and annual fund officer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Maryland, in addition to multiple roles in special events coordination.
“I’m thrilled to join MICA as its next vice president for advancement,” Walters said. “MICA is an amazing college and a Baltimore anchor institution of exemplary artistic excellence and social impact. Its collaborative spirit and commitment to transformative education are as apparent in the community as on campus. I welcome the chance to lend my voice to the further articulation of an already strong case for philanthropic investment and multi-sectorial support.”
Walters has been deeply engaged in the community, including service as a board member for the Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, the Fund for Educational Excellence, the Roland Park Civic League and Baltimore Clayworks. She earned a master’s degree in liberal arts and a graduate certificate in nonprofit studies from Johns Hopkins University and a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University.