News and Media

Published: Jul 1, 2009

SAVANNAH, Ga.—In preparation for the anticipated Fall 2010 opening of SCAD Hong Kong, the Savannah College of Art and Design announces the first four appointments to its leadership team for the new campus.

John Paul Rowan has been named vice president for SCAD Hong Kong. He will be responsible for the oversight and management of the new campus. Most recently, Rowan played an important role on the executive team responsible for the development plan for SCAD Hong Kong. Prior to that, he served in various leadership roles during the formation and ongoing operation of SCAD Atlanta and in operations at SCAD Savannah. He also co-founded Rowan Media LLC, a media and Web consulting company based in Atlanta. Rowan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in economics from the University of Mississippi, an Advanced Diplôme in Pâtisserie and Cuisine from Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, and a Master of Business Administration in finance and strategy from Emory University.

Bob Dickensheets has been appointed director of construction and preservation, SCAD Hong Kong. Dickensheets, who relocated to Hong Kong May 1, serves as project manager and SCAD representative during the university’s conservation and adaptive rehabilitation of the historic North Kowloon Magistracy Building, where the new campus will be housed. During his long association with SCAD, Dickensheets has served as public service coordinator and preservation specialist, European director of special projects and a historic preservation professor. Most recently, he supervised the university’s rehabilitation of SCAD Atlanta’s historic Ivy Hall. He also has overseen award-winning conservation projects in Savannah and Sapelo Island, Ga., and Lacoste, France. Dickensheets earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the Pratt Institute in New York.

Elizabeth Rowan is the executive director for external relations at SCAD Hong Kong. She is responsible for developing relationships with members of the Hong Kong civic, arts and business communities to promote SCAD's mission, execute community outreach projects and industry partnerships, and help the university establish a strong presence in civic, community and corporate activities. Formerly, as director of development for SCAD Atlanta, she oversaw the department of institutional advancement, led fundraising initiatives and events such as the annual SCAD Atlanta Scholarship Gala, and forged strong relationships with members of the community as the liaison to the Atlanta Advisory Council board.

Rowan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish and art history from the University of Georgia and a Master of Arts degree in contemporary art from Sotheby's Institute of Art in London.

Rose Mak has been selected to serve as director of administration for SCAD Hong Kong. She will coordinate student recruitment events and other activities to help build relationships with the local community and also will act as liaison with local Hong Kong entities. Mak, a resident of Hong Kong for more than 20 years, joins the university from the American Consulate General, U.S. & Foreign Commercial Service Division in Hong Kong, where she served as a commercial specialist for 13 years. Mak earned a Bachelor of Science degree in social work from California State University in Sacramento, Calif.

For more information about SCAD Hong Kong, visit scad.edu/hongkong. Media inquiries may be directed to Sunny Nelson at 912.525.5225 or in Hong Kong, Molly Mulloy, Edelman, 852.2837.4735.