Ryan Knapp

Ryan N. Knapp is the Facilities Administrator for the College of Arts and Humanities at the University of Maryland, where he supports the stewardship, planning, and operational excellence of academic and public spaces across the college. He works closely with faculty, staff, and campus partners to ensure facilities remain safe, efficient, and responsive to the needs of a vibrant arts and humanities community.

Before joining the College, Ryan spent 17 years as the Director of Operations at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, leading a production department supporting 900–1,200 performances annually and overseeing scheduling, event logistics, space utilization, and operational coordination for the 318,000‑square‑foot complex.

Ryan also serves as an adjunct faculty member, sharing his industry expertise with students and contributing to committees focused on cultural enrichment, safety, compliance, and policy development. Outside the university, he was a Maryland Interscholastic Cycling League coach, guiding youth mountain bike athletes to state championships in 2021 and 2023, and a 2019 American Motorcyclist Association Regional Off‑Road Racing Champion.

Earlier in his career, he held production and design roles across the Northeast, including work with the National Players, Olney Theatre Center, Bristol Riverside Theatre, and the University at Buffalo Center for the Arts.

His contributions to the arts and community service have earned him an Offy Stage Award, a performing role at the Helen Hayes Awards, and the Golden Nugget Service Award for five years of continuous service to the Howard County Girl Scouts. He has presented for USITT, LORT, and the Production Managers Forum on topics ranging from résumé development to workplace dynamics.

Ryan holds a bachelor’s degree from the University at Buffalo and both a master’s degree in Project Management and an M.B.A. from the University of Maryland University College. He believes meaningful work emerges where art is shared freely and openly with the community it reflects.