Memphis, TN–Memphis College of Art’s Board of Trustees elected Ken Strickland as Interim President effective July 1, 2010. Strickland is currently Dean and Vice President for Academic Affairs, a post he has held at the College for eight years.

“We are confident in our selection of Ken to guide the College as we seek its next President, said incoming Board Chairman Robert Fogelman, II. “The choice was based on Ken’s wealth of experience in creating outstanding curriculum for our students and his longstanding contribution to arts education.”

Strickland replaces President Jeff Nesin who is leaving his position after 19 years to return to New York. “I couldn't be more pleased,” Nesin said. “Ken has been a superb colleague, leading the faculty with vigor and grace, and now he’ll bring that same energy and innovative spirit to all the constituencies of our College.”

As Dean at MCA, Strickland has provided leadership and coordination for all academic programs and activities; overseen institutional accreditation, research, planning and assessment; and administered faculty appointments and academic budgets.

“I am very honored by the trust the Board has shown me with this appointment," said Strickland. "I look forward to maintaining the College’s momentum and to continuing our trajectory toward positioning Memphis College of Art as a first choice school for students seeking a professional art and design education and thereby strengthening the Mid-South region with a focus on creative thinking and action.”

Prior to coming to MCA in 2002, Strickland served as Dean of the School of Art+Design at Purchase College in New York. As Dean, he oversaw the redesign of the visual arts and MFA curricula, increased academic standards, grew the undergraduate enrollment, and guided the school through its first National Association of Schools of Art and Design accreditation. Before becoming Dean in 1995, he created and taught in the Woodworking and Furniture Design program at Purchase. Ken also owned and operated a design/build company specializing in custom architectural renovations and interiors.

Auerbach & Associates has been selected by MCA’s search committee co-chaired by Peter Formanek and Murray Riss to conduct the search for College’s next President. A national search is in process and will be complete by 2011.

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