Director & Staff

Nora Salas

Nora Salas, Director

Dr. Nora Salas began her term as Director of the Kutsche Office of Local History in August 2021.

Dr. Salas is an Associate Professor of History at Grand Valley State University. She comes to the position of Director with a rich background in community organizations. Her directorship of the Kutsche Office is a continuation of her commitment to helping diverse communities claim their place in West Michigan's history. Dr Salas' academic research examines the intersections of political thought, class, region, and gender on Chicano identity, along with changes in ethnic Mexican migrant labor in West Michigan from the 1980s to the present. Dr. Salas holds a PhD and MSW from Michigan State University and a BA from the University of Michigan. Outside of work, she enjoys messy gardening, slow hiking, overly elaborate science fiction, and spending time with her husband and daughter.

Office Address: 1114 Au Sable Hall
Phone: (616) 331-8099
Email:  [email protected]


Mary Williford

Mary Williford

Office Coordinator

Mary Williford became the Kutsche Office Coordinator in January 2020. She splits her time between the Kutsche Office of Local History and Area & Global Studies. A West Michigan transplant, Mary's background is in managing daily operations for museums, archives, and local history initiatives. She holds a BA in American Studies from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA in Museum Studies from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. In her spare time, Mary enjoys horror movies, exploring quirky regional history, attempting to understand Dungeons & Dragons, and unwinding with her cats.


Office Address: 1114 Au Sable Hall & 117 Lake Ontario Hall
Phone: (616) 331-8099 & (616) 331-8110
Email: willifom@gvsu.edu

 



Page last modified February 8, 2023