Press

Media Contact:
JP O’Hare
(518) 474-1201
Press@nysed.gov
www.nysed.gov 

The New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education (OCE) proudly announces two pivotal appointments that will bolster the Office’s commitment to fostering cultural enrichment and education across the state. These new hires bring a wealth of experience, innovation, and dedication to their roles, advancing OCE’s mission to serve New Yorkers with excellence and support the State Museum, Library, and Archives to achieve their ambitious goal of becoming the undisputed leaders in cultural and educational excellence nationwide.

“The Office of Cultural Education is thrilled to welcome Katlyn and Jaclyn to our team,” said Michael Mastroianni, Interim Deputy Commissioner. “Their expertise, vision, and passion for public service will be instrumental in driving our initiatives forward and ensuring that cultural and educational resources are accessible to every corner of New York State. These hires underscore our commitment to operational excellence and our ambition to solidify the State Museum, Library, and Archives’ reputation as trailblazers in cultural and educational innovation.”

Katlyn Curtin, Director of Operations

Katlyn Curtin has joined the Office of Cultural Education as Director of Operations, bringing an extensive background in state budgetary and administrative processes and a proven track record of fostering collaboration and innovation.

Previously serving as Senior Analyst for Healthcare Finance and Operations at the State University of New York (SUNY), Katlyn made significant contributions to enhancing the fiscal and operational sustainability of SUNY’s health facilities. Her achievements include participating in a strategic planning panel and helping to secure $900 million in funding for hospital operations and capital improvements. Prior to her role at SUNY, Katlyn served as Team Leader at the New York State Division of the Budget, overseeing budget management for the state’s largest expenditure programs, including School Aid ($34 billion) and Medicaid ($27 billion).

Katlyn’s leadership has consistently cultivated a collaborative environment that thrives under complex and high-pressure demands. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Katlyn has demonstrated a strong commitment to community service, serving as Board of Advisors Treasurer for the Albany Therapeutic Riding Center, Inc., as a Mentor for the New York State Division of the Budget, and as a Network Advisor for the UAlbany Career Advisory Network. Her deep expertise and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly strengthen OCE’s operations, ensuring that New York’s cultural and educational initiatives continue to flourish and contributing to the broader vision of national preeminence for the State Museum, Library, and Archives.

“I am honored to join the Office of Cultural Education and support its mission of serving New Yorkers with world-class cultural and educational resources,” said Katlyn Curtin. “I look forward to working with this remarkable team to enhance the State Museum, Library, and Archives, helping to make them national benchmarks for excellence.”

Jaclyn Keegan, Public Information Officer

Jaclyn Keegan brings over a decade of experience in journalism and public relations to her new role as Public Information Officer for the Office of Cultural Education. With a talent for crafting compelling narratives and a sharp strategic mind, Jaclyn is poised to elevate OCE’s communications and public engagement efforts, further supporting its goal of being acknowledged as a leader in the country.

Jaclyn began her career as a television reporter and anchor, earning an Emmy nomination for her investigative reporting on New York’s mandatory reporting laws. She gained national recognition for her work as the lead reporter covering the NXIVM trial and was later featured as an expert in the Starz docuseries Seduced: Inside the NXIVM Cult.

Most recently, Jaclyn served as a Media Relations Strategist at Baker Public Relations, where she was named to City & State’s 2024 Political PR Power 75 list for her outstanding contributions to the field. At Baker, she spearheaded impactful campaigns that enhanced public awareness and engagement across a variety of initiatives. Jaclyn’s work with nonprofits, such as the YWCA of the Greater Capital Region, demonstrated her ability to garner public support for critical initiatives.

Her expertise in media training, strategic communications, and press relations will be invaluable as she helps OCE share its mission of promoting cultural and educational access with a broader audience, positioning the State Museum, Library, and Archives as a model for excellence nationwide. 

“Joining the Office of Cultural Education is a tremendous opportunity to contribute to an institution that enriches lives and inspires learning,” said Jaclyn Keegan. “I’m eager to use my storytelling and public relations background to elevate the State Museum, Library, and Archives—ensuring they connect deeply with communities and showcase New York’s outstanding cultural and educational resources.”

These appointments underscore the Office of Cultural Education’s steadfast commitment to innovation, accessibility, and excellence. With these new leaders in place, the State Museum, Library, and Archives are well-positioned to expand their reach and further their goal of becoming the nation’s premier cultural and educational institutions.

About the Cultural Eduation Center

Established in 1836, the New York State Museum is the oldest and largest public museum in the United States. Home to leading scientists, historians, archeologists, and anthropologists, its collections represent the State’s rich cultural and natural heritage from the past and present, including a staggering 20+ million artifacts spanning 1.1 billion years ago to today. Located at 222 Madison Avenue in Albany, the Museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is closed on the Fourth of July, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission is free. For additional information, visit the New York State Museum website.    

The New York State Library is part of the Office of Cultural Education within the New York State Education Department. Visit the New York State Library  website for a complete list of upcoming programs. To receive news, resources, and other updates, please  subscribe to the quarterly newsletter.    

The New York State Archives holds many of the oldest and most important archival treasures in the nation. The Archives preserves and makes accessible over 250 million records of New York’s State and colonial governments dating from 1630 to the present. The State Archives provides free access to photographs, artifacts, documents, manuscripts, and other materials that tell the story of New York’s history via its Digital Collections on the Archives website.    

The Archives Partnership Trust was founded in 1992 to build an endowment and provide project support to enhance humanities programs, increase access to these outstanding treasures, and continue the preservation of New York's historical records. Since its founding, the Partnership Trust, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, has supported exceptional projects and programs. These include the Research Residency Program, the Student Research Awards Program, history conferences, special exhibitions, public education programs, book signings and lectures, publications, teacher training institutes, preservation projects, and more.

The State Museum, State Library, and State Archives are programs of the New York State Education Department’s Office of Cultural Education. Further information about programs and events can be obtained by calling (518) 474-5877 or by visiting the Office of Cultural Education website.  

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