MADISON, N.H., June 16, 2020 — Digitunity, a nonprofit organization with a mission to close the digital divide, announces the hiring of Karisa Tashjian as its Director of Programs. Previously with the Providence (RI) Public Library as its Director of Education, Tashjian is a recognized leader in the design and implementation of educational and workforce development programs that provide measurable community engagement, value, and impact.
In recent months, shelter-at-home orders as a result of COVID-19 exposed just how wide the digital divide is in America today. Tashjian, in her role as Director of Programs, will spearhead the development of programs and initiatives to advance digital inclusion on a national scale. Karisa’s demonstrated success at fostering collaboration across agencies is especially well-suited to support the collective work of digital inclusion practitioners nationwide.
Digitunity supports an extensive network of digital inclusion practitioners, collectively working to sustain and scale long-term impact in the pursuit of digital equity for all. Tashjian’s expertise and experience in building cohesive, integrated solutions that address digital literacy uniquely complements Digitunity’s overall mission.
“Karisa’s demonstrated success at fostering collaboration across agencies is especially well-suited to support the collective work of digital inclusion practitioners nationwide,” said Scot Henley, Executive Director of Digitunity. “She will be a tremendous addition to our organization, and an impactful leader in this space.”
Tashjian joins Digitunity after having led many significant initiatives over her 16-year tenure at the Providence Public Library. She served as director of the Rhode Island Family Literacy Initiative, a library-based adult education program offering services in nine libraries and community centers.
Her work has received national attention from the U.S. Department of Education’s Literacy Information and Communication System (LINCS) program, Digital Promise, World Education’s EdTech Center and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS), specifically for her creativity in designing accessible education and workforce development programming and integrating technology for vulnerable populations.
On the state level, Karisa is a member of Congressman Langevin’s Education Committee and has served on the state’s Workforce Alliance, the Rhode Island Governor’s Workforce Board’s Career Pathways Committee, and the Technology Advisory Committee to the RI Department of Education, which she chaired or was a member for at least eight years. She believes deeply in the power of partnerships, technology and equity. To learn more about Digitunity’s work, please visit digitunity.org.
Contact:
Scot Henley, Executive Director, Digitunity
scot@digitunity.org | O: 203-863-9100, ext. 370 | C: 603-475-4232
