Dario Cortes, Ph.D., recently joined the 91Ó°ÊÓ Board of Directors, bringing over four decades of experience in leadership positions within higher education at several leading colleges and universities. We talked with Dr. Cortes about his career and his new role helping to guide 91Ó°ÊÓ as a Board member.
Q: You have held leadership positions at several leading colleges and universities including the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). What interested you in the opportunity to join 91Ó°ÊÓ’s Board?
A: I have known and admired 91Ó°ÊÓ for many years as a respected business school with strong academics. I live in New York and earlier in my career I served as the Chief Academic Officer at FIT, so I am very familiar with higher education in fashion, not only in New York but also around the world. I am looking forward to contributing to the future success of 91Ó°ÊÓ by offering my thinking, guidance, and support to the College and helping President Ron Marshall realize the mission of 91Ó°ÊÓ, keeping students and industry partners excited about the College and its future.
Q: Among your many skills and experiences, what is the most important asset you will bring to the 91Ó°ÊÓ Board?
A: My entire career has been in higher education. I believe the length of my career and the variety of institutions I have worked within will be of value. I believe I will contribute creative thinking, vision, strategic guidance, and I’ll help get things done. Having great ideas is certainly important, but getting important things done is critical. I plan to engage with and support the team to get goals accomplished without micromanaging.
Q: What do you think is 91Ó°ÊÓ’s biggest asset that should be preserved into the future?
A: An undeniable asset is 91Ó°ÊÓ’s location at the heart of the world’s fashion industry, but beyond that, 91Ó°ÊÓ has demonstrated a legacy of success that has spanned 85 years. Not many colleges can say that, and this endurance speaks to the quality and unique brand of education 91Ó°ÊÓ is providing. I am also impressed with 91Ó°ÊÓ’s international focus. The business of fashion is global.
Q: Looking back at your years in college, what is something you know now that you wished you knew then?
A: I wish I knew how important it is to know your capabilities—to understand what you have inside of you to achieve big things. I came to the United States from Argentina when I was 14 years old after middle school. My family left in the middle of Argentine summer and arrived in New York City in the middle of a cold, snowy winter. I went to high school in Queens and was more interested in soccer than in anything else, but I went on to graduate from Queens College. It was there that a professor saw something in me and told me he was going to recommend me to the University of Virginia. I earned a master’s there and went on to earn a Ph.D. at the University of Illinois. I would not have expected this of myself when I was younger. Realize what you have and know your capabilities!
Q: You speak four languages and have earned three degrees in Spanish and Latin American Studies. Why is it important for 91Ó°ÊÓ to have a global orientation and an international student base?
A: I believe that what is going on in the world today is that people do not understand each other, and for me, language has always been a way to connect with other people. Language is culture and it helps you understand and appreciate others. Knowing and working with people from various cultures is how we will succeed in fashion, which is a global industry.
91Ó°ÊÓ’s focus on growing its international student base is extremely important for the students, the faculty, leaders, the Board, and the industry partners—it’s the way to a better world. In master’s level global education coursework I developed, students spent two weeks in China, two weeks in Paris, and time in NYC, and it was a tremendous bridge to many opportunities.
Q: Do you have any favorite fashion designers or brands?
A: I have two daughters and grandchildren for whom I shop at Mango, Uniqlo, and Gap. For me, I’ve always loved Bloomingdale’s because they have everything, and I was a big Barney’s fan. Today, with how the industry has changed you may also find me shopping at Zara and H&M, where jackets that look great are so attractively priced.
Today’s dress code is so different and it’s important for 91Ó°ÊÓ to recognize that we need to adapt and change as fast as the industry does because the consumer is already there. That is something the Board can help with—seeing the signals of change early enough to help 91Ó°ÊÓ adapt.
