Marcus Harshaw

At Johns Hopkins, Marcus A. Harshaw is a lecturer in the MA in Museum Studies program where he draws on two decades of experience advancing learning, guest engagement, interpretation, exhibitions, and institutional strategy in museums and cultural organizations as a museum executive, educator, and consultant. His career has included leadership roles in history, science, aerospace, and multidisciplinary museums, giving him a broad perspective on how museums connect their collections, missions, and responsibilities within their community’s education ecosystem. His teaching approach emphasizes the relationship between theory and practice and encourages emerging museum professionals to consider how learning, identity, accessibility, technology, community engagement, and public trust are reshaping the work of museums.

Harshaw’s professional experience includes serving as President and CEO of Wings Over the Rockies Air & Space Museum and in senior leadership positions at Carnegie Science Center, and Kaleideum, as well as management positions at Cincinnati Museum Center, and the Indiana Historical Society. Across these institutions, he has led museum education, public programming, exhibitions, audience research and evaluation, guest experience, strategic planning, and major institutional initiatives. At Carnegie Science Center, he helped lead the development of Mars: The Next Giant Leap, an immersive permanent exhibition recognized with an Association of Science and Technology Centers Leading Edge Award. His work has also included major traveling exhibitions, new museum development, statewide educational initiatives, and efforts to strengthen institutional practice through audience-centered research and evaluation.

As a consultant, Harshaw advises museums and cultural organizations on organizational strategy, leadership, educational practice, audience engagement, and institutional change. His work reflects a particular interest in the evolving public role of museums and in helping institutions translate mission into meaningful experiences for their audiences.

Harshaw earned a MA in Museum Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a BA in History, cum laude, with a minor in Ancient Civilizations from Northern Kentucky University. His academic interests in history, material culture, interpretation, and museum practice have informed a career centered on creating meaningful and accessible learning experiences for diverse audiences.