On April 23, 2026, the Penguin Random House First-Year Reading Advisory Board convened for its annual summit. Board Members from a range of public and private institutions gathered to share insights, discuss the evolving common reading landscape, and provide feedback that continues to shape PRH Education’s work.
This year’s conversation reflected a common theme across campuses: programs are operating in a more complex environment. Many institutions are navigating budget considerations, administrative priorities, and evolving campus priorities, prompting some to refine or adjust their approaches to common reading programs. At the same time, there remains a strong commitment to creating shared experiences that foster connection, belonging, and student engagement.
2026 PRH First-Year Reading Advisory Board (in alphabetical order):
Matthew Chetnik, Salem State University
Bethany Chinedu Willig, University of Wisconsin – Madison
Daniel Hill, University of Mississippi
Aileen Liu, University of California – Berkeley
Katharine Pei, Washington University in St. Louis
Paula Patch, Elon University
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
- Edwin Mayes, Case Western Reserve University
- La’Tonya Rease Miles, University of California Los Angeles
- Erika Nielsen, Texas State University
- 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
