Rebecca Swanson Conrad

Visionary Leader in Community-Driven Art Education

Consultant, Educator, and Former Vice President at MECA&D

With over three decades of leadership in higher education, nonprofit strategy, and creative community building, Rebecca Swanson Conrad brings unmatched experience and insight to Maine College of Art & Design’s online graduate programs. A proud English major from Bates College and a graduate student in New England Studies at the University of Southern Maine, Rebecca’s academic foundation has shaped a lifelong commitment to the humanities, civic leadership, and the transformative power of art.

Rooted in Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Rebecca began her career in college administration in 1982 at Bates College. She went on to serve for 12 years as Vice President at Maine College of Art & Design, where she helped shape institutional strategy and supported faculty, students, and community partnerships. In addition to her deep involvement in higher education, Rebecca has held leadership roles on nonprofit boards across the arts, education, and social services sectors.

Her service includes seven years on the , four as vice-chair, along with appointments to the Cultural Affairs Council and the Governor’s Creative Economy Council. She currently serves as chair of the University of Southern Maine’s Board of Visitors and as board chair of Community Health Options, one of the last remaining ACA health insurance co-ops in the U.S. She is also a member of Oxfam’s “Sisters on the Planet”, a global initiative working to fight poverty and injustice.

A Passion for Art Education and Online Learning

“I view education as the foundation of our civilization,” says Rebecca Swanson Conrad. “And art education, in particular, nurtures creative thinking that reaches every part of our lives and work.”

At MECA&D, she found a rare and transformative environment: “As Vice President, I witnessed students grow through creative problem solving in ways that were deeply personal and broadly applicable. That experience shaped how I now approach strategy, community work, and educational consulting.”

Now leading RSC Consulting, Rebecca helps organizations align mission to outcomes, scale programs, and enter new markets. Her expertise spans workforce and economic development, immigration and cooperative business models, and arts and culture as economic drivers—with a strong emphasis on public art policy.

What Makes MECA&D’s Online Graduate Programs Exceptional?

Rebecca believes Maine College of Art & Design’s online graduate programs offer something unique in the landscape of art and design education:

• Contemporary Curriculum: “Our online programs are rooted in today’s most relevant pedagogy and practice.”
• Creative Community: “Even online, students are immersed in a vibrant network of faculty, peers, and working artists.”
• Flexible, Personal, Lasting: “Students can shape their experience around personal needs while building a community that continues long after graduation.”

As an art education advocate and community strategist, Rebecca Swanson Conrad sees art educators as vital connectors—those who can structure experiences, invite participation, and build stronger, more inclusive communities.

Maine College of Art & Design Online delivers innovative, flexible learning experiences for aspiring and current art educators. Programs include a fully online Master of Arts in Education and Graduate Certificates in Expressive Arts Therapy and Arts Leadership and Administration.

To learn more about our program pathways, request information today.