Ryan McKeel (pronouns: they/them/theirs) holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communications from Wingate University (where they worked at both the George A. Batte, Jr. Fine Arts Center and the Hinson Art Museum) and they recently graduated from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro with their Masters of Education (M.Ed.)

Currently, Ryan serves as an Assistant Director in the Office of Identity, Equity, and Engagement at UNC Charlotte, working with identity-conscious, equity-minded leadership and career development programs in addition to coordinating cultural heritage programming. Prior to arriving at UNC Charlotte, Ryan worked at both UNC Greensboro and UNC Chapel Hill in the Office of Intercultural Engagement and the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, respectively. Ryan’s roots in higher education were planted at the University of North Carolina School for the Arts, where they worked in Residence Life Programs and Housing following their time at Wingate.

Additionally, Ryan is no stranger to the Charlotte arts scene, having served as a Marketing Intern with Blumenthal Performing Arts and as the Social Media Coordinator and Marketing Intern for JazzArts Charlotte. It was at Interlochen Center for the Arts in Interlochen, MI where Ryan found a passion for Arts Administration, having worked in the student affairs and scheduling offices at the world-renowned arts academy and summer camp.

Ryan minored in music while at Wingate and is a recovering Flute performance major. A self-diagnosed Baritone, Ryan was able to perform in Opera Scenes at Wingate University under the direction of Dr. Jessie Wright-Martin. Outside of the arts and equity + inclusion work, Ryan can be found outdoors, enjoying the Charlotte sun, reading about intersectionality as critical social theory, and thinking of their next big idea.