The Board of Directors of the Akron Art Museum has appointed Mitchell S. McKinney, Ph.D. to the Board. His tenure will begin at the Board Meeting on Jan. 25.
McKinney is dean of the Buchtel College of Arts and Sciences at The University of Akron. Prior to working at the University of Akron, McKinney held numerous academic leadership positions at the University of Missouri, including director of graduate studies, associate department chair, and chair of the Department of Communication. McKinney also taught at the University of Oklahoma, the University of Kansas, Johnson County Community College, Missouri Southern State University, and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Additionally, McKinney is a renowned political communication scholar who has been recognized as one of the nation’s top scholars of presidential debates.
Board President Rose Andrews stated, “We are excited to bring Dr. McKinney onto the Museum’s Board. His background in education and politics will provide a new perspective to the organization, and we’re looking forward to furthering our connection with the University of Akron.”
McKinney has also held positions in the U.S. Senate and at the White House. He also served as associate director of the National Communication Association in Washington, D.C., and as president of the Central States Communication Association. McKinney remains a frequent commentator for national and international news media and has provided expert political commentary for the New York Times, the Washington Post, USA Today, CNN, C-SPAN, NPR, and BBC News. He has served as a moderator for gubernatorial and congressional televised debates and consulted with numerous civic organizations in planning state and local candidate debates and forums.
McKinney earned a Doctor of Philosophy in Communication Studies from the University of Kansas, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and two Bachelor of Art degrees in Speech Communication and Government from Western Kentucky University. Currently, he resides in the Akron area with his partner Bryan Pepper.
For more information about the Akron Art Museum, visit akronartmuseum.org. Join the conversation on social media using #AkronArtMuseum and follow the Museum on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.
About the Akron Art Museum
The Akron Art Museum, dedicated to enriching lives through modern and contemporary art, showcases regional, national, and international art created since 1850. The Museum’s collection is presented in a spectacular facility designed by Viennese architectural firm Coop Himmelb(l)au and includes over 7,000 works of art, with a strong focus on contemporary painting, sculpture, and photography. Nearly a dozen exhibitions each year present prominent artists in various media including painting, sculpture, photography, video, design, and glass.
Museum Information
Address: One South High, Akron, OH 44308 Tel: 330.376.9186
Fax: 330.376.1180
Website: AkronArtMuseum.org
Gallery Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am–5 pm, Thursday: 11 am–8 pm Shop Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am–5 pm, Thursday: 11 am–8 pm
Bud and Susie Rogers Garden Hours: Wednesday–Sunday: 11 am–5 pm, Thursday: 11 am–8 pm (weather permitting)
Second Friday of each month, the Gallery, Shop, and Garden Hours: 11 am–8 pm
Admission: Adult general admission is $12, Senior (65+) general admission is $10, Student (with valid ID) $8, University of Akron Students, Faculty and Staff (with valid Zip Card) receive complimentary admission, Children (17 and under) are FREE, members receive complimentary admission, Adult with Ohio EBT card $3 (discount available for up to 4 adults per EBT card). Gallery admission is FREE every Thursday.
Media contact: Cristine Boyd, 330-972-6476 or cboyd@uakron.edu