Cortland, NY – The Cortland Free Library today announced that Kristina Petrella has joined the organization’s Board of Trustees.
A native of Cortland, Petrella is currently a Community Response Team Coordinator at Cornell University. Prior to this, she was a Child Protective Services Caseworker, a Victim Advocate/DSS for Cortland County Aid to Victims of Violence, and an American Sign Language Interpreter. Petrella holds a Master of Science (M.A.) degree in Community Health from SUNY Cortland; a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology (Magna Cum Laude) with minors in Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies and Forensic Psychology; and an Associates (A.S.) degree from Tompkins Cortland Community College. Her academic experience also included service as a graduate assistant, teaching assistant, and intern; lecturing; and grant-acquisition.
“We are genuinely excited to welcome Kristina to our team of Trustees, where her experience with serving underserved and at-risk populations will add invaluable perspective and understanding to our oversight efforts, policy development, and input into day-to-day operations,” said Cortland Free Library Board President, Lauren Mossotti-Kline. “Kristina is also expert in matters related to the developmental and social challenges faced by youth, has formidable experience with the unique needs and perspectives of the LGBTQ community and those with disabilities, and she is, herself, a parent of young children and regular user of our library. So these, too, will help inform and guide our organization at the Board level.”
Petrella is also very involved in local volunteerism and civic engagement, serving as a community member on the library’s Ad Hoc Committee focused on issues related to homelessness; as dog foster for the Recycle-A-Bull Bully Breed Rescue program; and as a Cortland County task force member mandated by NYS Executive Order 203 (Police Reform and Reinvention). Additionally, she is the recipient of several awards and honors, among them being a finalist in the SUNY Cortland Distinguished Voices Short Story Contest, recognition as a SUNY Cortland Campus Champion, and winning the SUNY Cortland Psychology Department Major Academic Achievement Award.
Outside of her professional, academic, and community endeavors, Petrella enjoys Reading, triathlon, endurance sports, and spending time with her three dogs and five children.