Day One

Today's Schedule & Speakers

Priority Focus: Support for Cultural Preservation

Priority Focus: Access to Career Readiness Opportunities

Executive Conference Room, National Museum of Natural History

9:15am > Welcome Remarks by Dr. Monique Chism, Under Secretary for Education

Monique M. Chism is the Smithsonian’s Under Secretary for Education and is responsible for establishing the Institution’s educational priorities. She oversees the Smithsonian’s collective initiatives, communication strategies and funding for programs with the goal of bringing the Smithsonian into every classroom in America.

Chism is an accomplished and transformative leader with an extensive background in education. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this role. Her interdisciplinary training in history, sociology and education provides her with a unique perspective that focuses on the intersections of ideas, theories and approaches to support collaboration. Chism’s experience as a former teacher, state education administrator and federal education policymaker gives her a diverse lens and a deep understanding of the education landscape.

Before joining the Smithsonian in 2021, she served as vice president for education policy and strategic initiatives at the American Institutes for Research in Washington, D.C. Chism led teams in translating social science research into policy and practice.

As the deputy assistant secretary for policy and programs at the U.S. Department of Education from 2013–2018, she was a principal advisor to the secretary of education and assistant secretary for the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education. She managed a $22 billion grant portfolio and provided direction to six program offices, playing a crucial role in shaping pre-K–12 education policy. Prior to joining the Department of Education, Chism made significant contributions to the Illinois statewide system of support as the assistant superintendent for innovation and improvement at the Illinois State Board of Education.

Chism holds a Bachelor of Arts from Ohio University, a Master of Arts from Central Michigan University and a doctorate from Michigan State University. Additionally, she is a graduate of the School for the Creative and Performing Arts high school in Cincinnati, where she majored in dance and theater.

ChismM@si.edu

Links
https://www.si.edu/education/office-under-secretary

1:15pm > Community Values and the Preservation of Cultural Heritage 

The Smithsonian Museum Conservation Institute’s (MCI) mission is simple: we preserve cultural heritage. Since 1963, MCI has created and shared research, practices and training that help people at the Smithsonian and across the nation and the world make informed, confident decisions about the preservation of their collections, buildings and sites. Our core staff consists of an interdisciplinary team of conservators, scientists and museum and heritage professionals. Our work is focused around three main areas related to preservation: hands-on conservation, scientific analysis, and disaster preparedness and resilience. In this session, we’ll share some examples of recent work in these key areas, focusing particularly on projects that centered and responded to community-led requests and needs. And we’re curious to hear about the needs and interests that participants have so that we can discuss how we can best learn from each other and preserve, and crucially, share the cultural heritage that is most important to our communities.

Sanchita Balachandran is Director of the Museum Conservation Institute. She is an art conservator trained in the preservation, technical research and care of works of art and cultural heritage, with a specialization in archaeological materials. Before joining the Smithsonian in 2024, Balachandran was Director of the Johns Hopkins Archaeological Museum and Associate Teaching Professor at Johns Hopkins University. She earned graduate degrees in art history and conservation from New York University and a doctorate in preservation studies from the University of Delaware.

BalachandranS@si.edu 

Brian Michael Lione is International Cultural Heritage Protection Program Manager at MCI, where he focuses on enhancing skills and building capacity of heritage specialists around the world, from Iraq to rural northeastern Pennsylvania. Brian serves on the Smithsonian’s Rural Initiative Working Group, supports MCI training of US law enforcement in anti-trafficking activities, and collaborates with the Smithsonian Cultural Rescue Initiative on response and recovery training and activities. Prior to joining MCI, he pioneered heritage training in Iraq and was the Department of Defense’s senior preservation policy expert. He holds design, language, and preservation degrees, and is an Army intelligence veteran.

LioneBM@si.edu 

2:00pm > What Takes Root: Race, Place, and the Power of Convening

Following an overview of the Reckoning With Our Racial Past program, this presentation highlights 4 consistently requested program features, and 1 for which we solicit interest and feedback.

1. Cultural Preservation

Support communities in convening across generations—especially when histories are contested, oral, or endangered.

2. Access to Arts and Culture

Bridge national resources and local creativity—without extraction or imposing standards of excellence.

3. Access to Educational and Resources

Bringing together cultural workers, and community knowledge holders to co-create learning, spaces, or programs that reflect the realities of people in their own communities—not only delivering curriculum.

4. Career Readiness and Internships

Connecting people to open new, identity-affirming career pathways— in museums, storytelling, and preservation.

5. Addressing America 250

What does this mean to your community? We co-facilitate convenings across race, class, history, and geography to co-create commemorations that reckon honestly with the past and uplift locally held values.

Deborah L. Mack, PhD is Associate Director for Strategic Partnerships at Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture. From 2000 to 2012 her national and international professional practice centered around museum planning and strategic planning, on interpretive and exhibition development, and on cultural and heritage tourism. From 2007 to 2010, Mack was appointed as Georgia Commissioner for the Gullah-Geechee National Heritage Commission, Department of the Interior (National Park Service).

She has served as a project advisor for a number of Lowcountry sites, including the planned International African American Museum in Charleston SC; Penn Center on St. Helena Island SC; Historic Mitchelville Preservation Foundation Hilton Head Island SC; Owens-Thomas House and Ossabaw Island Foundation in Savannah GA. From 2005-2011 Mack served on the NMAAHC Scholarly Advisory Committee and served as co-curator of the inaugural permanent Cultural Expressions exhibit that features Lowcountry stories places and material culture. Mack holds a Ph.D. and an M.A., in anthropology from Northwestern University, and a B.A. in geography from the University of Chicago.

Links

Homepage: Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian

Our Pillars: Our Pillars | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian

Our team has developed six thematic pillars to help us understand the past to build a better future. They are designed to make systemic racism feel identifiable, relevant to our lives, and, most importantly, changeable.

·      Race and Wellness

·      Race and Wealth

·      Race, Arts, and Aesthetics

·      Race and Place

·      Race, Policy, and Ethics

·      Race Beyond the United States
 

Stories: Stories About Race | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian Explore the real-life stories of notable leaders and community members who have dedicated their lives to the pursuit of equity.

3D Digital Collections: 3D Digital Collections | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian We are engaged in a multi-year collaboration with the Smithsonian’s Digitization Program Office. These objects highlight meaningful stories to help us learn more about the complicated history and legacy of race and racism.

Google Arts & Culture Page: Smithsonian Our Shared Future — Google Arts & Culture

Glossary: Glossary List | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian Explore definitions and links that support learning about key terms related to race and racism in the United States and beyond.

Virtual Exhibitions: Exhibitions | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian Take a virtual tour of Smithsonian exhibitions with the experts that curated them.

Events: Events | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian Explore virtual and in-person events. Join us as we explore the impact of race and racism on people and places throughout the world, examine the past, and look towards the future.

K-12 Educational Resources: Educator Tools for Teaching about Race | Reckoning with Our Racial Past | Smithsonian We welcome K-12 educators of all disciplines to explore our collection of featured teaching tools, scholarly resources, and interactive materials from across the Smithsonian.

MackDLynn@si.edu 

2:45pm > Smithsonian Internships & Fellowships

This session provides insights into the vast and varied internship and fellowship opportunities throughout the Smithsonian. From science, culture, and art, to marketing, human resources, and IT, the Smithsonian offers experiences that foster academic and career enlightenment on a global level. Attendees will also learn about how the Office of Academic Appointments and Internships develops and facilitates pan-institutional enrichment programming that provide interns and fellows opportunities to engage in peer and staff networking through social events, professional development through workshops, and exploration through staff led tours, talks, and more. Current interns and fellows also have the opportunity to connect with alumni to see how Smithsonian internship and fellowship experiences have impacted academic and career trajectories and witness the endless possibilities for career fulfillment.

Dr. Rosni Lal oversees the team that facilitates thousands of internships and fellowships throughout the Smithsonian. She has dedicated over 20 years to educating and serving various populations in higher education, K-12, museums, and the U.S. military. In her previous roles, Roshni served as the Director of career services and employer relations at various colleges and universities, managed internship programs at non-profit organizations, and curated exhibitions for the NIH. As a former two-time Smithsonian intern herself, Roshni is honored to return and play a part in providing interns and fellows with transformative, comprehensive, and joyful experiences. She is from the Los Angeles area and earned a Ph.D. in Higher Education and Students Affairs and a certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies from Claremont Graduate University, a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from The George Washington University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in Scandinavian Studies from UCLA.

Links
https://www.si.edu/ofi

LalR@si.edu 

3:30pm > Rooted & Resilient: Building Cultural Vitality through Community-led Tourism

This talk explores how the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage partners with communities to co-create sustainable cultural tourism experiences. Drawing on work from the Cultural Vitality Program, it highlights how local traditions—such as festivals, craft, music, and foodways—are not only preserved, but activated as drivers of community development and economic opportunity. Through participatory workshops with festival organizers, enterprise support for artisans, and place-based storytelling, these initiatives aim to welcome visitors in ways that maintain cultural integrity. The talk will share lessons from Smithsonian projects that build tourism rooted in local leadership, support rural livelihoods, and strengthen community identity. Attendees will gain insights into how cultural heritage can fuel sustainable development and how institutions can play a meaningful role in supporting community-driven efforts.

Halle Butvin is Director of Special Projects at the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, where she leads the Cultural Vitality Program. Her work focuses on partnering with communities to develop cultural tourism experiences that responsibly share local traditions, support artisan entrepreneurs, and strengthen festivals as engines of cultural and economic vitality. With nearly 20 years of experience in cultural heritage and community development, Halle has designed and led projects that integrate cultural sustainability with rural development across the U.S., Europe, Africa, and Asia. Her approach centers on amplifying community leadership and fostering place-based strategies for economic resilience. Halle holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from The Ohio State University and serves as Chair of the Board for Local Learning, a national network of folklorists and educators.

Links

General reading about the Cultural Vitality Program:

• Cultural Heritage Tourism Initiative | Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage

• Smithsonian Folklife Festival Incubator | Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage
  
  

My Armenia Cultural Heritage Tourism Program

• My Armenia Program - YouTube includes links to documentation of tourism experiences, craft businesses, and festivals

• Armenia's Ancient Ovens Are Hot Again - Gastro Obscura - a story of how tourism experience development has preserved a diversity of local foodways in rural communities

UPLIFT North Carolina

• UPLIFT North Carolina includes program activities and links to webinars developed through our Folklife Festival Incubator activities.

ButvinHM@si.edu 

4:00pm > Design as a Tool for Positive Change (Kim Robledo-Diga)

Cooper Hewitt will share how design thinking can be used as a creative framework tool for communities to work together to propose positive change in their community. Examples of executed projects will be shared along with resources to bring back to your community.

Kim Robledo-Diga, Director of Learning and Audience Engagement leads Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum’s Education, Visitor Experience, and Accessibility teams. In Kim’s 23 years in museum education, she has overseen three national education initiatives including Youth Innovation in Rural America, National Design Awards: Cities, and A City of Neighborhoods. These national community-based initiatives reached youth and adults in rural and urban communities in 19 states. Her passion for accessibility has positioned Cooper Hewitt as a leader in the field with programs on designs role in making our world more inclusive and tools such as the Accessible Virtual Programming Toolkit which shares best practices for museum educators to ensure virtual programs are welcoming to all. Digital and STEM initiatives include the Design at Home video series, bi-lingual Learning Labs, launching and delivering New Jersey’s first Maker Fair and creating a Maker Space at The Newark Museum of Art is evidence of her commitment to 21st century learning.

Links

https://www.cooperhewitt.org/

DigaK@si.edu 

4:30pm > Engaging Rural Farmers and Landowners in Conservation Science and Practice: Case Studies from Virginia

In this session, Johnson will explore the critical role of private lands in conservation and highlight real-world case studies where farmers, landowners, and Smithsonian scientists are collaborating to address biodiversity loss. Through these examples, she will demonstrate how science-based partnerships are enhancing landscape resilience for the benefit of both people and wildlife.

Dr. Amy Johnson is a Conservation Biologist and Program Director of Virginia Working Landscapes at the Smithsonian National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute. In this role, Johnson leads a team that collaborates with private landowners, citizen scientists, NGOs, state agencies, and researchers to co-design studies exploring conservation solutions on working lands and to develop outreach programs that translate science into action. Her team’s research broadly focuses on restoration and regenerative management of working grasslands, examining how agriculture and conservation practices influence avian abundance, diversity, and reproductive success, as well as the relationships between soil health, bird and insect communities, and vegetation.

Links
https://www.vaworkinglandscapes.org/

JohnsonAE@si.edu