Jaime Ahlberg (left) and Barbara Mennel (right). Photo by Michel Thomas.
The Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere Welcomes a New Director
Jaime Ahlberg assumes directorship, succeeding Barbara Mennel
The Center for the Humanities and the Public Sphere (CHPS) is excited to announce the appointment of its new director, Jaime Ahlberg, who has taken the helm following the departure of outgoing director Barbara Mennel on Aug. 16.
Mennel’s six-year tenure as director saw significant growth and development within CHPS. Under her leadership, the center greatly expanded its opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students alike. New internships, residencies, and programs were created, improving the professional lives of students and faculty alike.
“Among the many highlights of my term,” said Mennel, “I think one of our most meaningful accomplishments was helping the Old Mount Carmel Baptist Church become one of 35 historic black churches to receive a grant from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund.” Mennel attributes the achievement in part to the efforts of the CHPS Speaker Series.
Under Mennel’s leadership, the CHPS also encouraged its students and faculty to lobby for the humanities on National Humanities Day, engaging with U.S. representatives on Capitol Hill. It’s a practice Mennel hopes will continue.
Ahlberg is stepping up with big shoes to fill, but her wealth of experiences at UF makes her more than capable. Prior to her appointment, she worked as a faculty member in the Department of Philosophy for over ten years, receiving numerous grants and awards during that time. She has also held administrative roles at UF, serving as president of the Association for the Philosophy of Education and as an affiliate of UF’s Education Policy Research Center.
While Ahlberg’s appointment is slated for three years, she is eager to hit the ground running. Her initial focus will be on improving and promoting facilities at the Center. “One thing I’d like to see is the beautiful spaces in the Center used more by the various groups CHPS serves — for collaboration, conversation, brainstorming, sharing research, and more,” she said.
Ahlberg also hopes to expand opportunities for graduate students, continuing the work started by Mennel and Assistant Director of Graduate Engagement Sara Agnelli.
“My ultimate goal,” Alhberg explained, “is to open conversations that amplify awareness of the overlapping ways in which humanistic questions and methods are valuable to the work and goals of these different groups.”
