Maritime Aquarium Appoints New Member To Board Of Trustees

NORWALK, CT — The Maritime Aquarium in Norwalk recently welcomed Jason Mancini as the newest member of its Board of Trustees.

According to a news release provided by the aquarium, Mancini brings more than 35 years of experience in public humanities, Indigenous history, community engagement and nonprofit leadership to the Norwalk facility's governing board.

Mancini currently serves as executive director of Connecticut Humanities, a role he has held since 2018, where he leads the statewide organization's efforts to strengthen partnerships, broaden access to cultural programming and advance public humanities initiatives, including placemaking and integrative digital projects, across Connecticut, according to the aquarium.

A scholar, educator and advocate, Mancini is co‑founder of the Akomawt Educational Initiative and previously served as executive director of the Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, according to the aquarium.

According to the aquarium, Mancini's career has been defined by dedicated collaboration with Indigenous communities in southern New England, Alaska, Hawai‘i and New Zealand, with a focus on elevating Indigenous rights, histories and visibility in public spaces.

His academic work explores Indigenous social networks, maritime labor, migration, citizenship and activism, as well as efforts to re‑indigenize public history and education, according to the aquarium.

"Having worked with tribal communities for most of my life, I've learned that the places we call home demand protecting, and the communities that imbue those places with stories of belonging and connection are worthy of nurturing," Mancini said in a news release. "During my time at CT Humanities, I've witnessed the careful, thoughtful work that the Maritime Aquarium community has committed to and the relationships it has cultivated in Connecticut and beyond. In a time of profound change — socially and environmentally — I want to be part of a community that imagines and acts on creating a healthy, vibrant and sustainable home for all of us. I will look forward to working with the team at the aquarium to continue weaving humanities into the fabric of this excellent organization."

According to the aquarium, Mancini is a visiting associate professor of slavery and justice at Brown University's Simmons Center and has taught anthropology and history at the University of Connecticut, Connecticut College and Sea Education Association.

He also serves in numerous statewide advisory and leadership roles, including the gubernatorial‑appointed vice chair of the America 250 | CT Commission, a member of the Connecticut Native American Heritage Advisory Council, Scientist‑in‑Residence at Mystic Aquarium and advisor and board member for programs at the University of Connecticut and Everyday Democracy, accordidng to the aquarium.

Mancini has a Ph.D. in anthropology from the University of Connecticut with expertise in the archaeology and ethnohistory of New England. His published and forthcoming research explores hidden Indigenous histories and survivance across the Northeast, according to the aquarium.

"We are excited to welcome Jason Mancini to the Board of Trustees," Maritime Aquarium CEO Jason Patlis said in a news release. "His experience, leadership, creativity and passion will all play a big role in shaping the aquarium's future as the aquarium continues to take on an expansive mission to serve both our community and our environment under our strategic plan, 'An Aquarium Without Walls.'"

More information about the Maritime Aquarium is available here.