Steven Gentile

President

Curriculum VItae
 

Dr. Steven Gentile is the Executive Director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), the state’s coordinating agency for public higher education. He has held several roles at THEC, including Chief Policy and Strategy Officer. Prior to joining the agency, he served as Assistant Dean of Admission and Financial Aid at Davidson College, his undergraduate alma mater.

He teaches education policy at Vanderbilt University and conducts research on topics such as Tennessee Promise, federal loan regulations, and higher education finance. Steven holds a Doctor of Education and a Master’s from Vanderbilt, and a B.A. in Economics from Davidson.

Steven and his wife, Solvig, enjoy raising their spirited school-age children in the close-knit East Nashville community. Music education was a critical part of his upbringing—both orchestral and choral—and he strongly values how music can shape life trajectories

 

Juliet Maglitta

Treasurere

Resume
 

Juliet Maglitta (she/her) is a flutist, administrator, and licensed PreK-12 music educator from Central Massachusetts. She holds a B.M. in Music Education from Anna Maria College. Juliet believes that music education should be accessible, equitable, and enjoyable for all ages and abilities. Her teaching philosophy stems from compassion and kindness, while challenging students in a fun and creative atmosphere.

Juliet has performed in orchestras, wind ensembles, concert bands, pit bands, jazz combos, chamber ensembles, and solo acts across the country. Outside instructing early childhood music education programs, Juliet holds private music lessons for young musicians on flute, piano, and ukulele. She has served as Assistant Music Director & Music Director for many youth, collegiate, and professional theater productions over the past five years.

 

Maryanne Hammond

Board member

Resume

Maryanne began her career in education, teaching 1st grade in the Spencer-East Brookfield Regional School District.  After 20 years as a teacher, she became a school administrator.  She held the positions of Assistant Principal, Health Curriculum Coordinator, and Conflict Mediation Coordinator.  Maryanne has a Massachusetts certification in Elementary Education, Reading Specialist, Supervision/Director, and Principal/Assistant Principal.  She holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters in Leadership and Educational Administration from Worcester State University.

After her retirement from the SEBRSD, Maryanne was selected to serve on the Board of Trustees of Worcester State University, where she was the Vice-Chair and served a 10 year term.  She was also Chair of the Human Resource Committee, the Planning and Development Committee, the Executive Committee, and participated in the Strategic Planning and Assessment Committee.

Presently, Maryanne sits on the WSU Foundation Board of Directors, the Audit, and Scholarship Committees.  She is also on the Board of Directors of the Worcester Center for Crafts, and the Creative Hub of Worcester.  Maryanne is a founding member of the Student Emergency Program at WSU which assists students financially so that they will remain matriculated and achieve their degree.

Maryanne also enjoys a good tennis match or a day on the slopes.  When asked  about her professional life, she always goes back to her roots in education, which taught her so much about humanity.   She replies with a smile on her face, “I was a first grade teacher!”

 

Lisa Utzig

Board member
 

Lisa Utzig is a musician from Princeton, MA. Since her first job as a church pianist at the age of 16, she has performed with both instrumental and choral groups around Central MA, as well as several different UU & UCC congregations. In 2019, she began accompanying musical theater productions, and has since worked with groups including Curtain Up Theater, Square One Players, The Center of the Arts Natick, and Apple Tree Arts. Recent music director credits have included Oliver!Lucky Stiff, Beauty and the Beast, The Marvelous Wonderettes, and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

Lisa has a bachelor of arts in music from Smith College, where she was also named the 2018 winner of the Ida Deck Haigh Memorial Prize for Distinguished Achievement in Piano. Now, she is living in Worcester and working as the Executive Assistant & Artistic Coordinator at Music Worcester, and she has recently returned to classical piano study. In addition to music, Lisa enjoys crocheting, playing video games, and eating pad thai.name a few.

 

Dave Tuttle

Board member

resume

Resume & coming soon.