In 1959, while studying at Princeton, Ackerman began his teaching career at Bryn Mawr College as a lecturer. Six years later, he was hired at Stanford University as Assistant Professor of Art History. In 1971, Ackerman was hired at Pomona College at the level of Associate Professor. Five years later, he became Professor and Department Chair, and spent the rest of his career at Pomona. Ackerman retired from teaching in 1989 and became Professor Emeritus.[5] In 1994, he had a stint as Appleton Distinguished Professor at Florida State University.
In 1962, Ackerman met his long-time partner and husband, Leonard R. Simon. The couple remained together until Simon's death in 2014.[6] Ackerman died two years later.
^Ibson, John (22 October 2019). Men without Maps: Some Gay Males of the Generation before Stonewall. University of Chicago Press. p. 28. ISBN978-0-226-65611-3.