Miami department chair earns national recognition from USSEA
Amanda Alexander cited for art education work both in U.S. and internationally
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Published
Amanda Alexander, chair of the Department of Art, recently earned the 2026 National Edwin Ziegfeld Award from the United States Society for Education through Art. The honor is for distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the national and/or international fields of art education.
Miami department chair earns national recognition from USSEA
Amanda Alexander cited for art education work both in U.S. and internationally
•
Published
Amanda Alexander has presented research across four continents, worked with multiple national and international art education organizations, and been published in several national and international journals. She has deep roots with the United States Society for Education through Art (USSEA), the International Society for Education through Art (InSEA), and the National Art Education Association (NAEA).
For those efforts, the chair of Miami University’s Department of Art has been recognized with the 2026 National Edwin Ziegfeld Award from the United States Society for Education through Art (USSEA). The honor is for distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the national and/or international fields of art education.
Art has been a longtime passion for Alexander, even as she pursued a Business Marketing degree in Indiana University. Alexander minored in Graphic Design and embarked on a career in public relations and marketing upon graduation.
After a few years combining business with design, Alexander joined the Peace Corps and worked in the Northern Andes of Peru with different artists. It was an illuminating experience that led her to The Ohio State University to earn both her M.A. in Arts Policy and Ph.D. in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy.
Alexander said she was “over the moon” to hear the news. She praised her mentor, James Sanders, who worked in the Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy at The Ohio State University.
“Seeing the path he made for himself in working both in art education and arts policy, I kind of leaned into that. He was also treasurer of InSEA, and now I am treasurer of InSEA,” Alexander said. “I’m a hybrid. I have a foot in both worlds.”
“He always supported me,” Alexander continued. “I can dedicate everything I’ve achieved to him.”
Alexander’s work with USSEA has included stints as co-editor and associate co-editor of the organization’s Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education, leading business meetings and workshops, as well as giving lectures and presentations. As treasurer for InSEA, Alexander oversees banking, nonprofit/tax status, membership systems, and more for the UNESCO partner. She’s also served for six years – three two-year elected terms – as a world councilor for North America.
Alexander joined Miami in 2022 as chair of the Department of Art and professor of Art Education. Being around talented Miami students helps to keep her refreshed.
“We have such creative, thoughtful young people,” Alexander said. “They are grounded and good human beings.”
Staying connected with local communities – Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati among them – has been important. Alexander pointed to a recent mural project by Miami students in Newport, Kentucky, as one example.
“The arts connect people in ways that are sometimes unexpected,” Alexander said. “Seeing the arts as a vehicle for our students and faculty to come together with the community is really exciting for me. That’s why I do this job.”
Alexander will receive the Ziegfeld Award during a ceremony on March 6 in Chicago at the National Art Education Association annual conference.
For those efforts, the chair of Miami University’s Department of Art has been recognized with the 2026 National Edwin Ziegfeld Award from the United States Society for Education through Art (USSEA). The honor is for distinguished leaders who have made significant contributions to the national and/or international fields of art education.
Art has been a longtime passion for Alexander, even as she pursued a Business Marketing degree in Indiana University. Alexander minored in Graphic Design and embarked on a career in public relations and marketing upon graduation.
After a few years combining business with design, Alexander joined the Peace Corps and worked in the Northern Andes of Peru with different artists. It was an illuminating experience that led her to The Ohio State University to earn both her M.A. in Arts Policy and Ph.D. in Arts Administration, Education, and Policy.
Alexander said she was “over the moon” to hear the news. She praised her mentor, James Sanders, who worked in the Department of Arts Administration, Education, and Policy at The Ohio State University.
“Seeing the path he made for himself in working both in art education and arts policy, I kind of leaned into that. He was also treasurer of InSEA, and now I am treasurer of InSEA,” Alexander said. “I’m a hybrid. I have a foot in both worlds.”
“He always supported me,” Alexander continued. “I can dedicate everything I’ve achieved to him.”
Alexander’s work with USSEA has included stints as co-editor and associate co-editor of the organization’s Journal of Cultural Research in Art Education, leading business meetings and workshops, as well as giving lectures and presentations. As treasurer for InSEA, Alexander oversees banking, nonprofit/tax status, membership systems, and more for the UNESCO partner. She’s also served for six years – three two-year elected terms – as a world councilor for North America.
Alexander joined Miami in 2022 as chair of the Department of Art and professor of Art Education. Being around talented Miami students helps to keep her refreshed.
“We have such creative, thoughtful young people,” Alexander said. “They are grounded and good human beings.”
Staying connected with local communities – Oxford, Hamilton, and Cincinnati among them – has been important. Alexander pointed to a recent mural project by Miami students in Newport, Kentucky, as one example.
“The arts connect people in ways that are sometimes unexpected,” Alexander said. “Seeing the arts as a vehicle for our students and faculty to come together with the community is really exciting for me. That’s why I do this job.”
Alexander will receive the Ziegfeld Award during a ceremony on March 6 in Chicago at the National Art Education Association annual conference.
Established in 1809, Miami University is located in Oxford, Ohio, with regional campuses in Hamilton and Middletown, a learning center in West Chester, and a European study center in Luxembourg. Interested in learning more about the College of Creative Arts? Visit the website for more information.