"My plan right now is to understand RISD," [John] Maeda said. "I'm on a fact-finding kind of journey right now."

An internal blog, viewable only by RISD students and faculty, came out when Maeda's selection was announced in December. There, he said, he talks about "everything," asks about Providence, and gets input from students and alums. The blog - the first of its kind, according to Maeda - averages about ten comments a day, he said. Maeda has also made his presence known on the Daily Jolt forums and Manes-Muir said he is an "avid Facebook member."

Maeda has also been in contact with current university presidents, including President Ruth Simmons, as part of his preparation, a process he called "Being a University President 101." But the most important of the presidents he has spoken to is the man he'll be replacing: Roger Mandle...

..."He's the ideal person for RISD at this time," Mandle said of Maeda, citing his unique combination of artistic talents and technological skills.