Future//Forward Speaker Series
This speaker series brings industry trailblazers directly to the FIT community, offering candid conversations on how they've merged artistic vision with commercial strategy, leveraged emerging technologies, and built resilient global brands.
Message from the President
We are living through a remarkable moment for creativity, and for the people who dedicate their lives to it. Creative industries added $1.2 trillion to the U.S. economy in 2023, growing at twice the rate of the broader economy; fashion alone employs 1.8 million Americans. The demand for human imagination, cultural fluency, and original thinking has never been greater.
That is exactly the kind of work FIT was made for. FIT is the largest public investment in creative talent globally. Our impact extends across a wide range of creative industries—from fashion and business to fragrance and beauty, toy design, interiors, film, fine arts, and emerging fields that continue to shape culture. FIT is committed to providing a world-class education that is both affordable and accessible, helping talented students from all backgrounds pursue their ambitions. As the newly appointed president of this extraordinary institution, I can think of no better time to act.
In Fast Company, I share why I believe this is a moment of genuine possibility, not fear, and why the partnership between human creativity and new technology is something worth investing in together. The numbers reflect something important: 80% of Americans believe that careers in creative fields are often undervalued. That's not just a statistic. It's a signal that people understand what's at stake, and what's possible.
I want to invite you on a journey with me.
That is why I am proud to launch FIT Future//Forward, our collective vision for how
we open more doors together. This is a conversation created with our students, faculty,
staff, alumni, industry partners, and friends. Your experiences, your ideas, and your
hopes for what FIT can become will shape where we go from here.
Stay tuned to this page for updates as our journey unfolds.
Jason S. Schupbach
President of FIT
Op-Ed, Fast Company, August 12, 2026
Op-Ed , Fast Company, June 3, 2026
How We Are Building the Plan
Grounded in FIT's mission and values, Future//Forward leverages our unique strengths and position. We are committed to an inclusive process that engages diverse internal and external perspectives to shape our long-term direction. The plan will feature actionable, measurable goals, clear structures for accountability, and the flexibility to adapt quickly to evolving priorities.
Our North Star
The FIT Future//Forward process will lead us to game-changing ideas. FIT will stand as a premier global institution and trusted partner, helping guide the creative industries in the 21st century.
Our Guiding Principles
Deepening Our Access Mission: As a proud public college within the State University of New York and a designated Opportunity College, we ensure students graduate with minimal debt, acquire in-demand skills, and transition seamlessly to the workplace Student success will always define our success.
Strengthening Industry Partnerships: FIT Future//Forward fortifies our deep connections and alliances with the creative sectors. In an era of rapid change, we anticipate and help resolve complex challenges.
Driving the Creative Economy: FIT brings immense value to New York City and New York State. We foster innovation, prepare extraordinary talent, and serve as an active, supportive neighbor at the heart of this vital sector.
Access Mission
- FIT is a public college, part of the State University of New York.
- FIT is a designated Opportunity College, recognizing how students can graduate with little to no debt and transition to the workplace with valuable in-demand skills.
Industry Partnerships
- FIT is the best-connected partner to the creative industries that we support.
Creative Economy
- FIT brings value and meaning to New York City and New York State.
- FIT fosters innovation, prepares talent, and is a supportive neighbor.
Get Involved
For more information, contact futureforward@fitnyc.edu
or complete the interest form.
*Survey was conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of FIT of over 2,000 U.S. consumers in April 2026.