Announcing New Chief of Staff

January 23, 2020

Dear Members of the Pratt Community,

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce the appointment of Nicole Haas as Pratt Institute’s Chief of Staff to the President. In this new position, Nicole will serve as an instrumental member of my senior administration, working together with the vice presidents and provost to streamline procedures and enhance collaboration and communication with my office and senior leadership. Her start date is February 24.

I look forward to working closely with Nicole and seeking her advice, counsel, and support in our Institute-wide initiatives that further Pratt’s mission and goals. She will be a significant resource to our administrative policy development and implementation, administration, shared governance, faculty, student and staff welfare, and research and economic development. 

Nicole arrives with amazing energy and extensive experience in academic leadership and higher education advocacy, specifically within our borough. Before coming to Pratt, she was Chief of Staff under two successive presidents at Brooklyn College. Key to her role was creating a President’s Office that was diverse, welcoming, and student-centered as an example to the campus community. In her nearly two decades at the school, she was a leader in institutional planning and assessment, as well as the development and execution of three institutional strategic plans. We are excited to work with Nicole on the continued implementation of Pratt’s own ambitious strategic plan. 

Prior to Brooklyn College, Nicole worked at the City University of New York as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chancellor and Director of Facilities and Operations. With the New York Public Interest Research Group, she served as a Legislative Advocate, Director of its EducationWatch Project, and a Project Coordinator.

Threaded through her impressive academic career is Nicole’s almost 30 years advocating and lobbying for higher education funding. Her experience in meeting with elected officials at the city and state levels as well as raising the visibility of education is invaluable as we promote our leadership in innovative and inclusive creative thinking and expand our external partnerships. Her eagerness to be part of an art and design environment stems from her first professional job working for 10 years as an associate for a private art dealer.

I hope you will join me in welcoming Nicole to the Institute. I also want to extend my thanks to the search committee for their support in this process. This is an incredible time to be at Pratt, as we continue to strengthen the organization and strive to provide the best possible working and learning environments for our community.

Sincerely,

Frances Bronet
President