Julia Welles
Senior Academic Affairs Specialists
Julia received her B.F.A from KCAI and her M.F.A from Cranbrook Academy of Art. She worked in the non-profit art organization sector and taught at the college level before joining the KCAI Admissions staff, which she has been a part of for over 15 years.
Territories: responsible for all transfer, international, and spring applicants.
Contact Information: jwelles@kcai.edu or 816-522-4705
Daniel Chase
Admissions Counselor
Daniel Chase is a visual artist and writer living in Kansas City. He completed his Bachelor of Fine Arts, with a double major in Painting and Creative Writing, in 2016 at the Kansas City Art Institute. He primarily works with hand-painted animation and projection within public spaces as a method to create immersive experiences. His work has been exhibited throughout Kansas City.
Territories: Kansas, Texas (Dallas, Houston), Wisconsin, N Carolina, S Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi
Contact Information: dchase@kcai.edu or 816-905-7474
Maret Cissner
Admissions Counselor
Maret Cissner hails from south Alabama and has been living in Kansas City since attending KCAI. She graduated from KCAI with a B.F.A in Ceramics in 2013. One of her passions is environmental sustainability in the studio and is involved with several local and national initiatives to support this cause. Her current studio practice is focused on preserving and practicing textile design and garment construction techniques. Outside of helping students find their path at KCAI, Maret is also heavily involved with organizations supporting women in our community.
Territories: Ohio, Oklahoma, Georgia, Alabama, Virginia, W Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, Maryland, Tennesse and Arkansas
Contact Information: mcissner@kcai.edu or 816-802-3425.
Darcy Deal
Senior Academic Affairs Specialists
First-time Freshmen Territories: St. Louis, Florida, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan
Transfer Student Territories: Arkansas, Florida, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, Kentucky, Wisconsin
Contact Information: ddeal@kcai.edu or (816) 982-5344
Alyx Jacobs
Admissions Counselor
Alyx Jacobs is a Kansas City transplant from Omaha, Nebraska. She received her BFA in Graphic Design at the Kansas City Art institute in 2016. During her time at KCAI, alongside her design work, Alyx found a love for printmaking and quilting. Currently, Alyx combines these passions to create naturally dyed and screen printed quilts, while also doing freelance graphic design work for local clients.
Territories: Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, Colorado, Montana, N Dakota, S Dakota, Wyoming
Contact Information: asjacobs@kcai.edu or 816-379-8868.
Karen Townsend
Vice President for Enrollment Management
With 19 years of progressive experience in admissions and recruitment, Townsend most recently served as the Director of Admissions of the School of the Museum of Fine Arts at Tufts University in Boston. Prior to her work at SMFA, Karen held leadership positions at Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Maine College of Art, and the School of Visual Arts in New York. Townsend received her B.F.A. from Corcoran School of the Arts And Design | George Washington University in Washington, DC.