Led by the provost, Academic Affairs is the center of academic leadership at RISD, overseeing faculty contracts; academic capital and operating budgets; curriculum planning, implementation and assessment; and the evaluation of faculty and students. The staff supports committees, departmental and institutional accreditation and performs budget reporting and analysis. The office provides administration and fiscal management of funded research and partnered projects, along with faculty professional development funding.

Academic Affairs oversees the Fleet Library at RISD, the Writing Center, Media Resources, Campus Exhibitions, the Nature Lab and Continuing Education.