Welcome, new Board members!
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New Hampshire Humanities extends its deep gratitude to the following board members who finished their terms on our Board of Directors last month: Steve Barba, Kathy Gillett, Inez McDermott, and Dan Will. We’re pleased to welcome five new board members from all corners of the state and hope you’ll have the opportunity to meet them in the coming year.
Evan Czyzowski is a high school English teacher and theater director. Each year he leads student trips to various countries to help students broaden their understanding of the connections between cultures, and has lived and worked in China and Poland. He served four terms on New Hampshire’s National Education Association (NEA-NH) State Executive Board, and he currently chairs NEA-NH’s government relations committee. He is a graduate of UNH with a BA in English and an MA in literature. In 2013 he was recognized as one of "40 Under Forty" young professionals in New Hampshire by the New Hampshire Union Leader.
Erika Janik is the executive producer of the creative production unit at NH Public Radio. She’s also a historian, writer, and the author of six books, including Pistols and Petticoats: 175 Years of Lady Detectives in Fact and Fiction. Prior to joining NHPR, Erika was the co-founder and executive producer of the nationally award-winning storytelling series "Wisconsin Life" on Wisconsin Public Radio. She’s served on the boards of the FairShare CSA Coalition, Recollection Wisconsin, Wisconsin 101, and Wisconsin Historical Society. Erika has a BA in American history from Linfield College, an MA in American women’s history from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and an MA in science writing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison.
Kirstan Knowlton is a counselor at ServiceLink Resource Center in Berlin, where she works directly with the aging and disabled population to help provide options for independence. She is also the creator and designer of Live With Pride, a company that sells rainbow products to help people express themselves. Kirstan is a community editor and columnist at the Berlin Daily Sun. Her weekly column, "The Girl Next Door," highlights local arts and entertainment. Currently she is working on her memoir called "Remember Who You Are." She received her BA in English language arts from Granite State College and her MA in creative writing and non-fiction from Southern NH University.
Cory LeClair is the Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Claremont and Unity. She works with community partnerships and area business to support student growth and achievement and improve programming and learning opportunities. She is a member of Governor Sununu’s Millennial Advisory Council, City of Claremont Master Plan, Economic Development Subcommittee, and others. In 2017 she was voted Greater Claremont Area Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year. She earned her BA in psychology from Wellesley College, her MS in education from SUNY Geneseo, and her CAGS in educational leadership from Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.
Dr. Graziella Parati is the Paul D. Paganucci Professor of Italian Literature and Language and the director of the Leslie Center for the Humanities at Dartmouth College. She is the author of books and essays on migration in the Mediterranean, gender issues, and Italian culture. She teaches courses on fascism, cultural studies and fashion, Italian American culture, and Italian literature and culture. Graziella has chaired Comparative Literature, French and Italian, and Studio Art at Dartmouth College. She has received prizes for her work from the Modern Languages Association and the Italian Consulate in Boston. She travels extensively to speak on issues related to people’s movements across the globe.