Salyer announces departure from the McConnell Center
Malana Salyer and family
Statement from Malana Salyer, Civic Education Coordinator
It is a bittersweet day for me, as we announce my resignation from the McConnell Center. The McConnell Center brought me to Louisville twelve years ago and has been my home ever since. However, as my family grows, I now must go in a different direction to be the best mother and wife I can be.
When Dr. Gary Gregg first mentioned the new civic education initiative to me almost eight years ago, I knew immediately it was something in which I wanted to be involved. Looking now at how much we have accomplished in the time since, I am astonished at the impact we have made in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in such a short time. I am excited to see how the McConnell Center’s civic education program continues to thrive in my absence. I have no doubt the next chapter will be even greater than the introduction.
I have been so fortunate to work with the most passionate educators, hopeful students and powerful community organizations in the state. Great things are happening here in Kentucky, and I feel grateful to have been a part of the effort. Most of all, I am appreciative of the friends I have made on this journey, and hopeful that these relationships continue.
I would be remiss if I didn’t briefly thank Dr. Gary Gregg for being an amazing mentor, boss, and most importantly, friend; Ms. Sherry Allen for being the glue that holds the McConnell Center together; Deborah, Aaron, Glypie, Trisha, and all the other colleagues who have made this job enjoyable over the years; and of course, Senator Mitch McConnell for his vision and dedication to the important cause of civic education.
We have accomplished a lot, but there is still so much more to be done. I am confident that the McConnell Center will continue to be the leader in civic education in Kentucky, and I am excited to see what the future holds.
Statement from Dr. Gary Gregg, McConnell Center Director
It is with deep and mixed emotions that I have accepted Malana Salyer's resignation from her position at the McConnell Center. After recently giving birth to her second child, the lovely Reagan Shea, she and her husband, Neil, have decided a job with fewer evening and travel requirements are best for their family. I completely understand and support their decision.
Still, Malana's departure will leave us with a huge hole in our lives and in our mission. Malana has been part of the McConnell Center since 2000 when she entered as part of my inaugural class of McConnell Scholars. She will never fully understand the impact she has had on our lives. Indeed, she is part of most of my major memories from my own 12 years at the University of Louisville. We will miss her deeply.
Though Malana was a McConnell Scholar, most of us today think of her as the Civic Education Coordinator for the Center. In 2005, she joined up in a mission to help me grow a new wing of the Center dedicated to helping teachers become better teachers of history, government, economics, politics and social studies. She exceeded every expectation and soon had us on the path to being the most important civic education program in Kentucky.
Through the years, Malana has provided essential service to teachers and students in Kentucky. She had a direct impact on the lives and careers of hundreds of teachers, and her work will continue to impact the lives of thousands of students through those teachers for decades to come.
We won't be able to replicate and replace someone as special as Malana, but I want all of Kentucky's outstanding teachers to know that we will continue to serve and continue to fight to have the education of our young citizens find a place of respect and honor in our schools and our communities.
As they turn a new page in their lives together, please join me in wishing Malana and Neil (and Reece and Reagan) a most wonderful life together.