Kent, Ohio, Jan. 12, 2026 – The Kent State University Museum has been awarded reaccreditation from the American Alliance of Museums, the highest national recognition afforded to museums in the United States.
“The Kent State University Museum is an extraordinary asset for our university,” said Kent State University President Todd Diacon. “This reaccreditation affirms the exceptional work of Dr. Sarah Spinner Liska, Museum Director, and the museum team in stewarding a collection that enriches our community and serves as a vital teaching resource for Kent State faculty and students.”
The Kent State University Museum received its original accreditation in 2007. Reaccreditation reflects continued excellence and accountability across all aspects of museum operations.
“This reaccreditation affirms the Kent State University Museum’s deep commitment to public trust, scholarly excellence and meaningful engagement with our communities,” noted Museum Director Sarah Spinner Liska, Ph.D., J.D. “I am incredibly proud of our staff and partners whose dedication ensures the museum continues to serve as a place of learning, inspiration and possibility.”
Of the nation’s estimated 33,000 museums, roughly 1,100 are currently accredited. The Kent State University Museum is one of only 43 museums accredited in the state of Ohio.
Accreditation is a rigorous and highly rewarding process that examines all aspects of a museum’s operations. To earn accreditation, a museum must complete a yearlong self-study followed by a site visit from a team of peer reviewers. The Accreditation Commission of the American Alliance of Museums—an independent and autonomous body of museum professionals—reviews the materials and determines whether accreditation is awarded.
The accreditation process at the Kent State University Museum was led by Joanne Fenn, Collections Manager and Registrar.
“The accreditation process was both rigorous and reflective, examining every aspect of the museum’s operations,” Fenn said. “It offered an invaluable opportunity to assess our practices, strengthen our systems and ensure we are well positioned to serve our collections and the public at the highest professional standards.”
The site visit report from the American Alliance of Museums concluded with high praise for the museum’s staff and institutional culture, stating, “With our final thoughts about this wonderful institution, we really want to highlight what an incredible staff KSUM has and praise the herculean effort they have made to accomplish everything they have with such a small but talented and devoted team.”
Alliance accreditation brings national recognition to a museum for its commitment to excellence, accountability, high professional standards and continued institutional improvement. Developed and sustained by museum professionals for more than 50 years, the American Alliance of Museum’s accreditation program is the field’s primary vehicle for quality assurance, self-regulation and public accountability.
“Accreditation is a monumental achievement,” said Marilyn Jackson, president and CEO of the American Alliance of Museums. “The process demonstrates an institution’s commitment to best practice and is flexible enough to be accomplished by museums of any size.”
About the Kent State University Museum
The Kent State University Museum holds one of the world’s most important collections of fashion, textile and decorative arts, spanning the mid-1700s through the present day.With a historic collection of over 30,000 objects, the museum offers invaluable firsthand experiences for both the university community and the broader public. For more information, please call 330-672-3450, follow @ksumuseum on Instagram or visit www.kent.edu/museum.
About the American Alliance of Museums
The American Alliance of Museums is the only organization representing the entire museum field, from art and history museums to science centers and zoos. Since 1906, it has been championing museums through advocacy and providing museum professionals with the resources, knowledge, inspiration and connections they need to move the field forward. For more information, visit aam-us.org.