Randolph College names Geoffrey Kershner as inaugural director of new MFA in Arts Administration

Geoffrey Kershner

Randolph College is proud to welcome Geoffrey Kershner as the inaugural director of its new Master of Fine Arts in Arts Administration—a low-residency terminal degree program announced earlier this month.

One of only a few of its kind in the country, the program will launch in fall 2026 and is designed to prepare graduates for impactful leadership roles in the arts and broader nonprofit sectors. 

“Geoff is no stranger to Randolph, and we are thrilled to welcome him back to lead this bold and innovative new program,” said Sue Ott Rowlands, president of Randolph College. “His impressive track record and deep commitment to both the arts and leadership make him the ideal choice to launch this exciting addition to our growing portfolio of graduate offerings.”

Kershner most recently served as chief executive officer of the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, guiding the organization through a transformative decade of expansion and renewed community engagement. He is also a founding member and former artistic director of Endstation Theatre Company, Randolph’s professional theatre company in residence.

“I’m honored to join the Randolph College faculty and to help shape the vision for this new low-residency MFA in Arts Leadership,” Kershner said. “This program reflects my belief in the arts not only as a vehicle for creativity, but as a powerful force for community-building, access, and meaningful change.”

Kershner brings a wealth of experience to the role. He has been recognized with numerous accolades, including the Rising Star Award from Virginians for the Arts, the City of Lynchburg’s Vice Mayor’s Award of Excellence, and the Young Professional to Watch award from the Lynchburg Regional Business Alliance.

He is also an alum of the prestigious National Arts Strategies Chief Executive Cohort, serves on the board of Virginians for the Arts, and advises the Radically Rural Conference’s arts track. He just recently was named chair of the Virginians for the Arts and was appointed to the board of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation.

“What drew me to Randolph is its deep liberal arts tradition, its commitment to place-based learning, and its willingness to reimagine the role of the artist and the administrator in today’s world,” he said. “I look forward to working with students from across the country—emerging leaders who are eager for practical tools, strong networks, and a bold vision for the future. This program is for them, and for the future we all hope to create.”

For more information about Randolph’s new MFA in Arts Administration program, please see www.randolphcollege.edu/news/2025/06/randolph-announces-new-mfa-in-arts-administration.