Aug. 12, 2024

KCAD President Tara McCrackin inducted into Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor for her leadership in education, community

Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University President Tara McCrackin has been inducted into the Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor, saluting her leadership and accomplishments.

The Brighton Area Women’s History Roll of Honor annually recognizes women of the greater Brighton area who have made remarkable contributions or achieved an accomplishment in the state of Michigan, the nation, or the world.

"I am deeply honored to be recognized by my hometown community,” McCrackin said. “This acknowledgment reflects not just my journey, but the collective efforts of the dedicated educators, students, and professionals I have had the privilege to work with throughout my career.”

McCrackin, a 1988 Brighton High School graduate, was na

med KCAD interim president in July 2019, and became president in 2021. She concurrently holds the office of a Ferris State University vice president.  

Prior to her roles in university leadership, McCrackin’s distinguished design career includes serving as the lead designer on the initial WorkSpring co-working space in Chicago and working on the LEED Gold-certified Rackspace Headquarters in San Antonio.

Most recently, she worked on the interior design for the Kids’ Food Basked building in Grand Rapids.

McCrackin began teaching in the Interior Design program at KCAD in 2002 and has served as a program advisor and program chair. She served an integral role in developing agreements with Grand Rapids Community College and Ivy Tech Community College in Indiana.

Demonstrating her commitment to furthering the recognition of the profession of Interior Design, President McCrackin has been active as a board member and past president of the International Interior Design Association Michigan Chapter, and an active member of the National Council for Interior Design Qualification Champion program.

In addition to her professional accomplishments, McCrackin has a history of community engagement and creative leadership. She serves on the ArtPrize Steering Committee, the Rosa Parks Conservancy Board, and the Grand Rapids Chamber Athena Leadership Council.

A former Brownie and Girl Scout with the troop at Lindbom Elementary in the 1970s, she served as a Girl Scouts of Michigan Shore to Shore Troop Leader from 2006-2012 and mentor at the Girl Scout Leadership Conference in 2023.

Reflecting her dedication to advocating for women and leadership for change, McCrackin was awarded the 2023 Michigan ACE Network’s Distinguished Woman in High Education Leadership Award as well as the 2023 Helen Gillespie Ferris Distinguished Woman Leader Award.

McCrackin holds a Bachelor of Arts in Art Education from Western Michigan University, a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design from Kendall College of Art and Design, and a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education from Grand Valley State University.

The Brighton Area Women's History Roll of Honor public celebration took place on August 10 at the Brighton District Library.