Melanie Adams
Melanie Adams (born 1969) is an American educator and museum administrator. She is director of the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C..
Melanie Adams | |
---|---|
Born | 1969 (age 50–51) |
Nationality | American |
Alma mater | University of Virginia University of Vermont University of Missouri–St. Louis |
Occupation | Museum director |
Organization | Anacostia Community Museum |
Early life and education
Melanie A. Adams was born in 1969, the daughter of a teacher and a librarian, and she grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey.[1][2]
Adams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and African-American studies from the University of Virginia.[3] She went on to earn a Master of Education degree from the University of Vermont and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and policy studies from the University of Missouri–St. Louis.[4] Her 2014 doctoral dissertation was titled "Advocating for Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils in St. Louis, Missouri from 1864 to 1927".[5]
Professional career
Adams began her career in higher education working in student affairs at the University of California-Berkeley and California State University-Northridge.[6]
Adams moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997 after being offered a position in student affairs at Washington University.[2] From 2002 to 2003, Adams served as the executive director for the St. Louis office of Teach for America.[2] She worked as a consultant for community organizations until 2005, when she became managing director for community education and events at the Missouri History Museum;[2] she worked for the Missouri Historical Society until 2016.[7]
She joined the Minnesota Historical Society as deputy director in 2016.[3] She brought her community engagement efforts to create a community outreach department to build relationships with local communities in each of the Society's 26 historic sites and museums.[4]
Adams became director of the Anacostia Community Museum in August 2019, aspiring to create more community-based partnerships in that role.[4][8]
Professional leadership
She was appointed to the St. Louis Public Schools Special Administrative Board in 2007, working with the community to regain accreditation for the district.[9] She served in that role for nine years.[7]
She served as president of the Association of Midwest Museums from 2014 to 2016.[4]
Adams is currently a member of the board of directors for the American Association for State and Local History.[4]
Notable awards
Bibliography
- Doyle, Amanda E.; Adams, Melanie A. (2017). Standing up for civil rights in St. Louis. St Louis: Missouri History Museum Press. ISBN 9781883982911. OCLC 979567909.
References
- "Adams, Melanie A, 1969-". Library of Congress Authorities. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- Peterson, Deb (20 December 2009). "History Museum director relishes role with St. Louis Public Schools". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- McGlone, Peggy (23 May 2019). "Minnesota Historical Society deputy chosen to lead Anacostia Museum". Washington Post. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- "Melanie Adams Appointed Director of Anacostia Museum". Smithsonian Institution Archives. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- Morrison, David (24 June 2019). "Alumna Melanie Adams brings UMSL experience to new role as director of Anacostia museum". UMSL Daily. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- "Faculty". University of Minnesota Master of Science in Historic Preservation. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- Crouch, Elisa (22 August 2016). "Melanie Adams resigns from St. Louis district's Special Administrative Board". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- Kaplan, Joshua. "New Anacostia Community Museum Director Melanie Adams Talks About the Institution's Place in a Changing City". Washington City Paper. Retrieved 10 November 2019.
- McNeir, D. Kevin (2 October 2019). "Melanie Adams Assumes the Helm at Anacostia Community Museum". Washington Informer. Retrieved 10 November 2019.