We are pleased to announce the promotion of Lisa Huntsha from Archivist/Librarian to Assistant Director and Head of Collections.
Lisa started at the Swenson Center in August 2012 after completing her graduate education at Syracuse University in upstate New York. She also holds a BA degree from Augustana College where she double majored in Scandinavian Studies and Anthropology. She studied abroad in Grebbestad, Sweden in 2008 and interned at the Sikta Historical Society in Sitka, Alaska in 2011.
During her tenure at the Center, Lisa has implemented protocols which have reduced the cataloging backlog and enhanced the description of the library and archival collections. She also oversaw the seamless migration of both the library catalog and archives database over just the past few years. She launched some of our important community engagement efforts including the Nordic Book Club, Hemslöjd Arts & Crafts classes, and our new lending library collection. In 2018, she received the Swedish Council of America's Award of Merit for her contributions to the field of Swedish-American studies.
As Assistant Director and Head of Collections, she will continue to oversee all aspects of collections work. She supervises interns and part-time staff, conducts much of our outreach and communication efforts, and contributes to ensuring the organization is meeting its strategic mission.
In addition to this role, Lisa will continue as Assistant Professor for Augustana College where she teaches research instruction sessions at the Center as well as HIST-265: Introduction to Museum Studies.
We are thrilled that Lisa is stepping into this role. Please join us in congratulating her on her promotion.