Allison Smith Hernandez

Allison Smith Hernandez joined the College of the Arts at Kent State University in 2024 as associate director of advancement and external relations. Allison will be working to develop and implement comprehensive external relations initiatives and assist with the fundraising activities of the college in partnership with the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement and in consultation with the dean.

She is a double alumna of the School of Art at Kent State, holding a BFA and MFA with a concentration in Textiles. Allison served as the graduate assistant to the director of the School of Art Collection and Galleries while pursuing her graduate degree. She previously held administrative positions with Massillon Museum, Transformer Station, and FRONT Exhibition Company. She received the Ohio Museums Association’s Emerging Professional of the Year Award in 2023 and is an exhibiting artist in the U.S. Department of State Art in Embassies program.