Amy Mackin holds a BA in Communications that culminated in a capstone enthusiastically challenging Marshall McLuhan’s assertion, “The future of the book is the blurb.” She went on to receive an MFA in Creative (Nonfiction) Writing at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

After several years of working in the nonprofit sector, Amy earned a second graduate degree in American Studies from the University of Massachusetts Boston. At UMass, she served as Teaching Assistant for two undergraduate courses: (1) American Identities and (2) American Society and Culture. She enjoyed this role so much that she subsequently designed two courses for the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at UMass and served as Primary Instructor for both. Additionally, she worked with UMass’ Center for the Humanities, Culture, and Society to highlight the work of humanities scholars toward solving pressing problems in public education, wealth inequality, and ecological devastation, among other topics, and helped facilitate meaningful collaboration.

 Amy's professional communications experience ranges from writing and editing for Boston-based private companies and nonprofits to working with worldwide media agencies, and has primarily focused on the social sciences, public health, and education sectors. She currently manages communications and outreach for an interdisciplinary academic research center by day and continuing her independent research and writing by night.

 With both a firm belief in the importance of the Humanities and a longstanding passion for innovative education, Amy has also participated in many volunteer activities over the years, including grant-writing for independent schools, English instruction at a community literacy center, and reviewing nonfiction submissions for an award-winning literary journal. She currently serves on the Board of Directors for a multi-district Historical Society, where she focuses on historical research, community engagement, and nonprofit management.

 In addition to her degrees in Communications, Creative Writing, and American Studies, Amy holds certificates in Applied DEI Strategies, Postsecondary Teaching, and Human Resource Management, and has completed academic work in Two-Dimensional Design and Strategic Planning. She is a lifelong learner who loves the fickle weather and spectacular landscapes of New England, along with the region’s rich history and the vast educational opportunities its many institutions of higher learning provide.