In his work for the National Museum of American History in Washington, D.C., the Elon University alumnus was recognized for significant contributions to education outreach and for helping his Smithsonian colleagues stay informed on relevant topics and timely data.
An Elon University graduate whose accomplished career in museum administration has focused on ways to engage audiences and create experiences of interest to the public was honored this winter with one of the Smithsonian Institution’s top internal awards.
Adam Rozan ‘01 received a 2025 Smithsonian Education Achievement Award, which recognizes an individual employee’s “consistent and outstanding performance in education.”
Rozan, a staff member for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, was nominated for the annual honor based in part on the overwhelming success of the Smithsonian’s Staff Learning Series he developed and continues to lead.
The online lecture and discussion series invites experts from a range of industries and locations to provide professional development opportunities for all Smithsonian employees.
Recent speakers have been experts from OpenAI’s ChatGPT, Meta’s Facebook, the U.S. Census Bureau – even graphic designers and museum curators from Philadelphia and Virginia working on programs tied to the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary – all of whom discussed trends and audience engagement strategies.
The goal of the series: “To better support staff so they can better serve the public.”
“That’s what I love about this,” Rozan said. “It informs those who are already doing good work. It’s humbling for me to be recognized for trying to make an even better community of peers. That’s what my project is all about.”
Since 2022, Rozan has organized over 50 presentations, attracting more than 100 staff members per session and reaching 1,700 attendees in 2024 alone. The Smithsonian Institution comprises 21 museums, 14 education and research centers, and the National Zoo.
“Adam’s ability to connect with noteworthy speakers and identify resonant topics has enriched our community with new ideas and diverse perspectives,” Monique M. Chism, the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Education, wrote when announcing the annual awards.
Rozan graduated from Elon University in 2001 with a degree in studio art. He launched his career with Boston’s Museum of Science and has since served institutions such as the Worcester Art Museum, Oakland Museum of California, Harvard Art Museums and the Boston Children’s Museum.
Rozan was named to the 2023 BlooLoop Power 10 Museum Influencers list, a top honor for those in the field.