Image credit: Faith Decker
Office of Student Affairs
Letter from Rob Flot, Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs
Student Affairs at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) is where care, support, and community converge. At SAIC, we are committed to supporting the whole student—academically, personally, and professionally—so that every student has the resources, advocacy, and sense of belonging needed to thrive. This includes access to holistic support services, intentional mentorship, and responsive systems of care that recognize students as complex, creative, and evolving individuals. We believe student success is built not only in studios and classrooms, but through meaningful relationships, equitable access to support, and a campus culture rooted in community, inclusion, and respect shaped by the dynamic energy, cultural richness, and creative ecosystems of Chicago itself.
We partner closely with students, faculty, and staff to foster an environment where creativity and passion are nurtured, difference is valued, identities are affirmed, and every voice matters. Through collaborative programming, student-centered services, and relationship-based support, we work to remove barriers and expand opportunity across the student experience. Learning and living in Chicago means engaging a global city as both classroom and community, one that challenges, inspires, and expands how students see their art and their role in the world. Whether you’re navigating your first year, preparing for life beyond graduation, or seeking connection and care along the way, Student Affairs is here to walk beside you, championing your well-being, amplifying your artistic potential, and helping you shape a college experience as bold, imaginative, and transformative as the work you create.
Rob Flot
Vice President and Dean of Student Affairs
Supporting Students
The Student Support Team is a multi-disciplinary group including representatives from Academic Advising, Residence Life, the Wellness Center, International Student Affairs, and Korean and Chinese Student Advising. Led by the Director of Student Support, these individuals meet weekly to consult, provide guidance, and offer support for students who are struggling with health or personal concerns. The purpose of the Student Support Team is to facilitate the best support possible for students in order to promote their academic, personal, and artistic well-being.
Getting and Giving Help
Staff in SAIC's Office of Student Affairs are available to assist students with a wide range of issues and concerns that might arise during their time at SAIC. These issues include mental and physical health challenges, conflicts with others, and community standards.
It is important that students have the support they need when they need it. SAIC is committed to ensuring staff are always available for student emergencies, including overnight, on the weekend, and when classes aren’t in session.
Annual Report
Contact Us
Office of Student Affairs
Sullivan Center
36 S. Wabash Ave., Suite 1204
Chicago, IL 60603
Office Hours:
Monday–Friday
8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Phone: 312.629.6800
Email Us
Office of Student Affairs studenthelp@saic.edu