Tara McCrackin
GRAND RAPIDS – Tara McCrackin is passionate about leadership but continues answering a louder calling identifying and mentoring future women leaders at Ferris State University’s Kendall College of Art and Design (KCAD), in the city of Grand Rapids, the West Michigan region and beyond.
McCrackin, who officially became the 14th president of KCAD in Spring 2021 after serving as its interim president since Summer 2019, has been named the 2023 Michigan ACE Network’s Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award winner. The highest honor presented by MI-ACE Network, the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award represents groundbreaking work supporting women that extends beyond the normal scope of a recipient’s responsibilities. The Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award winners are advocates for women and leaders for change.
"This recognition from the Michigan ACE Network is truly an honor,” President McCrackin said. “I am deeply grateful and more motivated than ever to continue empowering women in leadership roles and advocating for opportunities where everyone can thrive and reach their full potential.”
McCrackin graduated from KCAD with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design before she started her design career in 1997 in corporate workplace design. In 2002, she began teaching at KCAD as an adjunct faculty member and would serve as a program advisor and program chair. After that, she climbed the college’s faculty ranks to become a full-time, tenured associate professor and program chair for KCAD’s Interior Design program. McCrackin also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Western Michigan University and a Master of Education in Adult and Higher Education from Grand Valley State University.
In August 2022, President McCrackin was named a finalist of The Grand Rapids Chamber 33rd Annual ATHENA Awards. The ATHENA Award goes to an outstanding leader who is highlighted for professional excellence, community service and actively assisting women in their attainment of professional excellence and leadership skills.
President McCrackin has also received the 2023 Helen Gillespie Ferris Distinguished Woman Leader Award, recognizing work on behalf of women in higher education that extends beyond the scope of the winner’s formal faculty or staff responsibilities.
“It is a joy and a privilege to take part in guiding our next generation of creative leaders,” McCrackin said. “To see the spark in their eyes as they realize the impact they can make in the world is one of the most rewarding experiences, and I am honored to be part of each and every one of their journeys.”
McCrackin has been active as a board member of the International Interior Design Association (IIDA) Michigan Chapter, most recently as the Michigan chapter president from 2017 through 2019. She currently serves on the ArtPrize Board of Directors, bringing a creative leadership voice to the group. She serves on the Mel Trotter Art and Experience planning committee and is an active Jim Crow Museum Campaign Cabinet member.
Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award winners are selected from the nominations of presidents or chief operating officers of Michigan ACE Network member colleges and universities annually. The MI-ACE Network includes public and private institutions, including two- and four-year institutions. Separate awards are presented to recipients from two-and four-year nomination categories.
The Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award is officially honored at the Michigan ACE Network’s annual conference June 12-13.
“President McCrackin is a leader and a champion of women both on and off campus. She advocates for the concerns of women and broader diversity issues through numerous platforms and is also a highly-respected community leader and colleague,” Ferris State University President Bill Pink said. “President McCrackin’s work and accomplishments embody the standards expected of a recipient of this award, possessing all of the qualities and attributes of an outstanding advocate for women and an academic leader for change.”
Jackie Taylor, a member of the MI-ACE DWA Committee, saluted McCrackin, and the work of the Distinguished Woman Award Committee of the American Council on Education-Michigan Chapter (MI-ACE) for its thorough work reviewing the nominations submitted by the MI-ACE college and university presidents.
“Tara McCrackin, also serving as vice president of Ferris State University, truly demonstrates exemplary leadership and serves as a role model for women leaders throughout Michigan. She has dedicated over 20 years in growth by continuing to move forward in her career to serve statewide and nationally through her service on the National Council for Interior Design as well as serving as a course reviewer and course auditor for the Interior Design Continuing Ed Council, Inc.,” Taylor said. “Yet, she has still taken time to mentor women and assist their growth, as well as serve as a member of the Jim Crow Museum Expansion Council. And, she brings a major leadership voice to the Board of ArtPrize as that major focus continues to be vital for West Michigan and beyond.”
Previous Ferris recipients of the Distinguished Woman in Higher Education Leadership Award include Olukemi (Kemi) Fadayomi, professor of biology at Ferris State University, who won in 2018; and Roberta Teahen, the former associate provost of accreditation, assessment, compliance and evaluation who is now a faculty member in the Doctorate in Community College Leadership program, who won in 2015.