Laura Knott-Twine

Faculty
laura.knott-twine@myunion.edu

Laura Knott-Twine has been a teacher and businessperson for over 30 years. Her various titles include professor, trainer, business owner, executive director and CEO, administrator, manager, team organizer, senior business counselor, economic and community development consultant, researcher, analyst, and founder and designer of an award-winning museum. Obtaining a degree opened the door of opportunity, and that opportunity is what she encourages everyone to seek.

Laura earned both her B.A. in History, Writing, and Literature and her M.A. in Sociology and Women's Studies at Norwich University. She presently teaches in the online Virtual Vermont Bachelor of Arts Program. Drawing on her education and lifelong experience in both the for-profit and non-profit world, she advises learners in subjects such as leadership, organizational development, contemporary workplace practices, non-profit development, women in the workplace, entrepreneurship, and small business start-up. She also advise students studying history of the American Industrial Revolution, immigration and migration, unionism, family history including genealogy and oral history methodologies, historic preservation, and urban studies.

Laura has been the director of several non-stock, not-for-profit corporations. Presently she is the Executive Director of the Hartford Preservation Alliance, Inc. an architectural conservancy agency serving Hartford, Connecticut. As the former director of the United States Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Women’s Business Ownership at the University of Hartford, she counseled and guided women and men toward achieving their own business ownership, working with major business groups: manufacturing, retail, wholesale, import/export, professional services including psychologist and psychiatrist, healthcare, and with artists, construction company owners, elder and day care providers.

Laura is the founder of the Windham Textile and History Museum. She inaugurated an educational and historical institution; organized and lead a community group, which became incorporators and directors; researched, collected, organized, and donated the original collection. As the executive director and CEO for 10 years, she worked with professional consultants to establish educational programs, changing exhibits, and research and library services. The museum grew out of her love of history and experience as an award-winning fiber artist. She sold hand weaving in stores and catalogues and taught hand weaving, hand spinning, and natural dying processes to over four hundred adult students from 1975 to 1984.

“What I love about teaching is that it gives me the opportunity to help others reach their goals.”