Kelly Hrenko

Kelly Hrenko, PhD, is a Professor of Art Education and Associate Dean in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences at the University of Southern Maine. She holds a PhD in Art Education from the University of Minnesota and a BFA in Art Education from Southern Illinois University.

Her research focuses on integrating Indigenous cultures and visual arts across curricula, particularly in K-12 settings and Native American BIA schools. Key areas include culture-based arts education, multimodal creative literacies, and place-based pedagogies that bridge community and school contexts. Her work emphasizes decolonizing education practices and supporting English Language Learners through interdisciplinary approaches.

Publications span topics like decolonizing curriculum design, Indigenous pedagogies, and creative literacy frameworks. Her scholarship addresses urgent educational needs in culturally responsive teaching and community-engaged learning.

Dr. Hrenko’s professional service includes administrative leadership in arts and humanities education, with a focus on fostering inclusive academic environments and advancing teacher training programs.