AFS President-Elect (2023, to serve as President 2024-2025)
Amy Skillman is the Academic Director of the MA in Cultural Sustainability at Goucher College. Throughout her career, she has worked in non-profit organizations, higher education institutions, and government agencies to design programs that sustain artistic traditions while striving for cultural equity. Highlights of her work include a 20-year initiative with newcomer women using theater and story circles to foster leadership and break down barriers caused by prejudices and inequities; a Grammy-nominated recording of Old Time fiddlers in Missouri; and a co-curated traveling exhibition examining the role of folk arts as a catalyst for social change. An avid participant in AFS since 1978, Amy served on the Executive Board (2009-2011), the Nominating Committee, several prize and travel committees, and was co-convener of the Public Programs Section and co-founder of the Creative Writing Section. She is a recipient of the Botkin Prize and a member of the AFS Fellows. Amy received her MA in Folklore from UCLA and a self-designed BA in Cultural Minorities and the Immigrant Experience from St. Lawrence University.