Clevinger named to Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education board

July 17, 2008 11:52 pm

— Special to The Star

Dean of the Mississippi State University-Meridian Campus, Dr. Donna L. Clevinger was recently appointed to serve on the Mississippi Alliance for Arts Education (MAAE) Board of Directors. Established in 1974, the mission of the MAAE is to advocate for high quality, comprehensive and sequential arts education for all Mississippi students.
As Dean of MSU-Meridian Campus, Clevinger also oversees the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts located in downtown Meridian. The MSU Riley Center provides educational programming and performing arts events. As part of its mission, the center presents performing arts events for area schools and teacher training designed to integrate the arts into the classroom. Mississippi was among the first of many states to introduce a statewide arts integration initiative for schools teaching grades K-12.
“I have a genuine passion for the arts and education. I understand and have experience with the power of the arts and its unique ability to engage students in real, meaningful learning that helps them realize their full potential,” Clevinger said. “Serving on the MAAE Board is a privilege and something that I look forward to, as I look for ways to further arts integration in what we are doing both on campus at MSU-Meridian and via teacher training and educational programming presented at the MSU Riley Center.”
Clevinger, who has a background in theatre and dance, served on the Ohio Alliance for Arts Education Board of Directors while she was an Associate Dean at Ohio University before coming to Mississippi. During that period, Clevinger worked with educators and artists from across the state in creating summer programs in art, music, dance, and theatre for secondary school students.
For more info about MAAE, visit: www.msartsalliance.com.