The PRH CommonReads Advisory Board Convenes Virtually
On April 23, 2024, the Penguin Random House First-Year Reading Advisory Board convened for their annual summit. The Board members, representing a variety of public and private higher education institutions of varying sizes, came together to exchange ideas, and provide feedback and guidance. PRH Education received valuable information about the opportunities and needs of common reading programs, as well as feedback on specific titles ideal for the academic space.
We discussed the obstacles that many schools are currently facing, particularly in states with pending legislation that could limit the topics and books that students are allowed to explore in an academic setting. We also discussed the importance of books that promote civil discourse, as college campuses navigate their current challenges.
We welcomed to new Advisory Board Members:
Bethany Chinedu Willig, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Dan Solworth, Northeastern University
2024 PRH First-Year Reading Advisory Board (in alphabetical order):
- Mathew Chetnik, Salem State University
- Bethany Chinedu Willig, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Aileen Liu, University of California – Berkeley
- Edwin Mayes, Case Western Reserve University
- Erika K. Nielson Vargas, Texas State University
- Katharine Pei, Washington University in St. Louis
- Bernie Savarese, University of Tennessee
- Dan Solworth, Northeastern University
As always, we are appreciative to those who have come before, and have helped lay the foundation for the Board:
PRH First-Year Reading Advisory Board Emeritus:
- Rebecca Campbell, Northern Arizona University
- Janet Casey, Skidmore College
- Tara Coleman, Kansas State University Libraries
- Susanna Eng-Ziskin, California State University – Northridge
- Liz Gales, Northern Iowa Area Community College
- Steven Girardot, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Jordan Hale, Duke University
- Jennifer Latino, Campbell University, Ellucian
- Marjorie Litchford, Smith College
- La’Tonya Rease Miles, University of California Los Angeles
- Abby Nobili, University of Central Florida, Valencia College
- Daphne Rankin, Virginia Commonwealth University
- Shelia Stoeckel, University of Wisconsin – Madison
- Jared Tippets, Purdue University, Southern Utah State University
- Jonathan Wynn, UMASS Amherst
