Changes at CURA
It's been awhile since our last CURA Stories and we have been growing, including onboarding a new communications specialist to get things like CURA Stories in your inbox. Please welcome our new team members: Bailey Baker (HR and Payroll Specialist), Margaret Kaplan (Associate Director for Programs and Partnerships), Hilary Malson PhD (Assistant Professor of Urban and Regional Planning), Lucia Possehl (Community Programs Coordinator), and Sharon Stiteler (Communications Specialist). Visit our updated CURA Staff Directory on our revamped website for more details on our growing team.
On top of growing our staff, we have shifted some of our social media. We have a new Facebook page and BlueSky account where you can follow our announcements and research. We can still be found on LinkedIn and Instagram as well.
We are proud to announce that Ishmail Malik Holt-Shabazz, Director of Neighborhood Leadership and Organizing at CURA received the Exemplary Community-Engaged Professional Award from the University of Minnesota's Office of Public Engagement. Here he's receiving the award presented by Vice Provost for Public Engagement Laurie Van Egeren and Board of Regents member Ellen Luger. You can watch a video of Holt-Shabazz's work on YouTube.
Sharon Stiteler
Sharon leads communications strategy and storytelling that helps connect CURA’s research, programs, and partnerships with community members, local leaders, and broader public audiences.
Before joining CURA, Sharon worked in communications and public affairs roles with the U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service where she specialized in media relations, digital communications, public engagement, and managing large-scale events. For three years she was the voice of Denali National Park and Preserve in Alaska.
Outside of CURA, Sharon is an author, speaker, and content creator mostly about birds but occasionally rabbits and dinosaurs. She lives with a retired Denali sled dog named Party Pants.
