Melissa Kneeland, who serves as the executive director of the Dunn County Historical Society, has achieved a significant milestone by being selected as one of 25 History Leadership Institute (HLI) Fellows by the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH). This selection comes from a competitive pool of candidates nationwide who represent various roles in the history sector, ranging from curators to executive directors.
The 2025 cohort of HLI fellows stands out as one of the most diverse in the program’s long history exceeding 65 years, a reflection of AASLH’s commitment to fostering a robust network of history professionals who are poised to address current challenges and leverage new opportunities in the field.
“I’m so excited about this remarkable opportunity to develop as a museum professional,” Kneeland expressed. “I expect to make great new connections, discover exciting possibilities and bring new ideas to our museum.” Kneeland has been at the helm of the Society since 2019.
The HLI Seminar for this year will take place at the Mill City Museum, part of the Minnesota Historical Society. Spanning two weeks in June, alongside several virtual meetings, the seminar aims to engage its participants in discussions, peer learning, and development activities centered on leadership in the history sector.
Kneeland’s participation is supported by a scholarship from AASLH as well as a grant provided by a donor-advised fund from the Community Foundation of Dunn County.
“This program continues to grow as a key part of AASLH’s mission to help history organizations and practitioners to thrive,” commented John Dichtl, AASLH President & CEO. Andrea Jones, Director of the HLI Seminar, added, “If there was a perfect time to support our field’s most promising leaders in being their bravest selves, it is now. I can’t wait to get started.”
The History Leadership Institute benefits from backing by some of the field’s major institutions such as the Association for African American Museums, Conner Prairie, Minnesota Historical Society, Missouri Historical Society, National Association for Interpretation, and Virginia Museum of History & Culture.
