Honoring a legacy of leadership, collaboration, and innovation

Mary Ann Childers Kinkead ’63, MA ’65, a fixture in the Dance Department for nearly a half century, demonstrated an unwavering devotion to the faculty, students, and mission of Mills College throughout her life. Although she passed away in spring 2013, her connection to Mills endures in the form of the Mary Ann Childers Kinkead Initiative for Faculty Innovation (MACK Faculty Initiative), which will encourage faculty leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

The initiative will refresh the College’s curriculum by funding innovative projects proposed by faculty, such as new courses, collaborative research, and exploration of effective teaching practices and technologies. It will support one of the key imperatives of Mills’ strategic plan: to develop a curriculum that prepares students to succeed in a changing world.

Mary Ann’s husband, Jordan Kinkead, and family members have provided initial funding to endow the initiative; Professor Nancy Thornborrow, head of the Economics Department, and her husband, Stephen, have also made a commitment to the MACK Faculty Initiative.

“This fund is such a fitting way to honor Mary Ann, and, along with her many years of service, this initiative will enable her to continue to serve her beloved College into the future,” Kinkead says. “She loved Mills and what the institution stands for. She always encouraged the faculty, administration, and Board of Trustees to fully appreciate and support the special qualities of Mills College.”

The MACK Faculty Initiative will enrich the experience of both students and faculty alike. In addition, the initiative will fund the MACK Award for Faculty Leadership to recognize faculty members who show a deep commitment to shared governance. Kinkead also created the Mary Ann Childers Kinkead Endowed Fellowship for Dance to benefit graduate students in the Dance Department.

Major gift article for Mills College’s “Mills Quarterly”