Melanie Adams
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Melanie Adams | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1969 (age 56–57) |
| Alma mater | University of Virginia University of Vermont University of Missouri–St. Louis |
| Occupation | Museum director |
| Organization | Anacostia Community Museum |
Melanie Adams (born 1969) is an American educator and museum administrator. She is director of the Anacostia Community Museum in Washington, D.C., a unit of the Smithsonian Institution, and was named interim director of the yet-to-open Smithsonian American Women's History Museum in July 2023.[1]
Melanie A. Adams was born in 1969, the daughter of a teacher and a librarian, and she grew up in East Hanover, New Jersey.[2][3]
Adams received a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and African-American studies from the University of Virginia.[4] 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.[5] Her 2014 doctoral dissertation was titled "Advocating for Educational Equity: African American Citizens' Councils in St. Louis, Missouri from 1864 to 1927".[6]
Professional career
Adams began her career in higher education working in student affairs at the University of California-Berkeley and California State University-Northridge.[7]
Adams moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1997 after being offered a position in student affairs at Washington University.[3] From 2002 to 2003, Adams served as the executive director for the St. Louis office of Teach for America.[3] 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;[3] she worked for the Missouri Historical Society until 2016.[8]
She joined the Minnesota Historical Society as deputy director in 2016.[4] 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.[5]
Adams became director of the Anacostia Community Museum in August 2019, aspiring to create more community-based partnerships in that role.[5][9]
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.[10] She served in that role for nine years.[8]
She served as president of the Association of Midwest Museums from 2014 to 2016.[5]
Adams is currently a member of the board of directors for the American Association for State and Local History.[5]
