GREENFIELD — After 26 years of holding leadership positions in philanthropy and education, Colleen Kucinski will bridge those skill sets in her new role as The Literacy Project’s executive director.

“I’m really excited,” Kucinski said. “I still have a lot to learn but it’s exciting. ... [Judith Roberts] has been such a wealth of knowledge.”

Kucinski will assume the role being vacated at the end of June by Roberts who, after 16 years at the organization’s helm, announced her plans to retire earlier this year.

“Even though I very, very much love this work, I think it’s time to move on to other things,” Roberts said in February.

The Literacy Project, which offers free adult basic education classes, has locations in Amherst, Northampton, Greenfield, Orange and Ware. More than 200 students ages 16 and older study with The Literacy Project each year to complete their high school education and prepare for college and careers.

Marjorie Senechal, co-president of The Literacy Project’s board of directors, said the organization is lucky to have found someone like Kucinski who has “a passion for empowering and deeply respecting adult learners, with an impressive education background.” Additionally, Senechal mentioned Kucinski’s familiarity with western Massachusetts communities and nonprofits, and the challenges they face.

“She believes that education is the mechanism by which lives are changed for the better,” Senechal said.

Kucinski has held various leadership roles in the past, most recently as director of education impact and partnerships at the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts. Prior to that, the Holyoke resident held different roles at Greenfield Community College for eight years, with her last position being director of admissions. In that capacity, Kucinski explained, she had some exposure to The Literacy Project’s work and got to know Greenfield, which she holds “near and dear.”

“I’m very fortunate in that even though I’ve always worked in education … I’ve worked in the nonprofit world as well, specifically in philanthropy,” she said. “Having that broad view of the landscape of what education looks like for folks, both on a national and regional level, and understanding the need for philanthropic work and how to do what works for an organization — I bring those skills.”

Kucinski said she also brings administrative and organizational skills to the job.

“I’m good at building partnerships internally and within the community,” she added.

As she settles into the role of executive director and Roberts prepares to transition out of it, Kucinski said she wants to take some time to listen to and learn from staff and students, as well as the broader community.

“I’m really looking forward to meeting the students, learning who they are and what they need,” she said, “and trying to figure out how we can be as responsive as we can to that so they can move onto whatever the next goal is for themselves, whether that’s a job or enrolling in college.”

Reporter Mary Byrne can be reached at mbyrne@recorder.com or 413-930-4429. Twitter: @MaryEByrne.

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