Meet the new Dean of the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts Roxanne Schroeder-Arce

This summer, the Chaddock + Morrow College of Fine Arts welcomed a new leader; artist, educator, playwright and lifelong arts advocate Roxanne Schroeder-Arce. With a career spanning classrooms, stages and administrative offices from Texas to Boston, Schroeder-Arce brings with her a passion for community, storytelling and arts education that is both deeply personal and widely impactful. We sat down with Dean Schroeder-Arce to learn more about her journey, her vision for OHIO and what excites her most about becoming a Bobcat and joining the Athens community.

Q: Welcome to OHIO! Can you tell us a little bit about what drew you to this role?

Schroeder-Arce: I wasn't actively seeking a deanship, I was happily working as an Associate Dean at the University of Texas Austin, but when someone reached out about this opportunity, I looked into it and immediately felt a connection. What caught my eye was the emphasis on community, the arts and education and how they intersected. I thought, this is a space where I could be of service.

When I spoke with the search committee, I sensed a genuine culture of care. Then I visited, and that feeling was multiplied. Everyone I met seemed to share a collective pride and deep investment in moving the arts forward, both on campus and in the wider community.

Q: How do your previous experiences inform the way you’ll lead here?

Schroeder-Arce: I’ve been fortunate to teach and learn in many contexts, from elementary school drama programs to large universities. I began as a public-school teacher in Laredo, Texas, right out of college. My students there taught me so much about language, access and the power of representation in the arts.

I taught courses on performance, pedagogy, and Latino theater and storytelling at UT Austin, where I also served as an administrator. Before that, I was at Emerson College and Fresno State, where I directed youth-focused touring productions in places like the San Joaquin Valley. My work has always centered around the idea that young people and their stories matter deeply.

Q: You mentioned community and access. Why are those so central to your work?

Schroeder-Arce: I grew up in rural Vermont with a single mom who was a musician. We didn’t have a lot of resources, but she brought my sister and me into the arts just by including us - literally putting us on stage with her. I remember watching a touring production of “Up With People” in my middle school gym and thinking, ‘I want to do that.’ That moment changed everything.

We didn’t have theater classes, but I found my way to the stage any way I could like the Springfield Community Players and school productions. Instead of going to prom, I actually performed in “Godspell” and then showed up at the prom in costume! That kind of passion never left me.

So, when I became a teacher, I understood how critical access is. I remember a student who wanted to perform a monologue in Spanish but was being told she had to do so in English. She told me, ‘English is in my head, but Spanish is in my heart.’ That’s stayed with me ever since.

Q: What excites you most about being here at OHIO?

Schroeder-Arce: So much! First, the collaborative spirit. Faculty, staff, and students seem genuinely excited about working together across disciplines. I’ve already felt that in conversations and planning and there’s a real openness here.

And, of course, the new Patton Center for Arts Education is a huge opportunity. It’s not just about a space; it’s about a vision. I imagine a building where someone walking to a recital ends up catching a glimpse of a gallery exhibition, where community artists feel welcomed and where intergenerational learning thrives. I hope it's a place where the public sees themselves reflected and inspired.

Also, I’m excited about the proximity to the Patton College of Education. As someone deeply invested in preparing arts educators, I see so much possibility for cross-college collaboration including thinking together about how we’re educating the next generation of artists and teachers.

Q: What have you and your family enjoyed most about Athens so far?

Schroeder-Arce: Most definitely the vibrant arts community! Not just the artists themselves, but the clear support for the arts— throughout Athens and the surrounding area. I have loved visiting the Kennedy Museum of Art, listening to music on the green, watching a film on the roof at the Athena, walking through the quilt exhibit at the Dairy Barn, and experiencing a Native flautist at Stuart’s Opera House. Walking around and seeing artwork displayed all over—including on buildings and streets—gives me such a sense of comfort and belonging.

We’ve also found some good food. We’ve had great meals at places like Casa Nueva and Little Fish, and we’ve been trying all sorts of local spots, though I admit, I have very high standards for Mexican food after living in Texas over 20 years of my life!

My husband, who’s from Laredo, made this move with me, and I’m so grateful for that. Our daughter is in school at Dartmouth, so at least we’re a little closer to her. Overall, we’ve all felt so welcomed.

Q: Any final thoughts as you begin this new chapter?

Schroeder-Arce: I come to this role as a learner. I don’t pretend to have all the answers. I want to listen to faculty, to students, to staff, and to the community, and help nurture the amazing work that’s already happening here.

More than anything, I want us to celebrate the arts together. I believe deeply in the power of the arts to educate, to build bridges and to bring people together. That’s the kind of work I want to do here - meaningful, joyful and in partnership with others.