Meet the 2024 History Leadership Institute Cohort
The American Association for State and Local History is excited to announce that we have selected 19 emerging leaders from across the nation to participate in the 2024 History Leadership Institute seminar. Representing a range of backgrounds, identities, professional roles, and institution types, this cohort is one of the most diverse in the program’s history. In addition to this year’s incredibly deep applicant pool, AASLH’s ongoing Making History Matter Campaign enabled us to offer six scholarships (three were offered last year) – vastly expanding the accessibility of the program.
Please congratulate the 2024 cohort!
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Vincent Barraza, Xavier University of Louisiana (LA) |
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Ann Bennett, Laurel Historical Society (MD) |
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Janna Bennett, Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County (IN) |
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Melissa de Bie, History Colorado (CO) |
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Samuel Black, Senator John W. Heinz History Center (PA) |
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Araceli Hernandez, History Nebraska (NE) |
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Kara Knight, Minnesota Historical Society (MN) |
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Anne Miller, Newport News Parks & Recreation (VA) |
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Erik Mason, Longmont Museum (CO) |
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Kelsey Mullen, Providence Preservation Society (RI) |
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Rebecca Peterson, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens (FL) |
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Leslie Pielack, Birmingham Museum (MI) |
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Tony Pankuch, Cummings Center for the History of Psychology (OH) |
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Maria Quintero, John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum (MA) |
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Elizabeth Reighn, North Carolina State Historic Sites (NC) |
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Ghazala Salam, Dunedin History Museum (FL) |
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Helen Turner, St. Louis Kaplan Feldman Holocaust Museum (MO) |
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Julie Wroblewski, Chicago History Museum (IL) |
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Aja Bain, American Association for State and Local History (TN) |
The admissions process
This year’s admissions process saw a record number of applications. We are grateful to our admissions committee who scored the many submissions – an independent group of five seasoned museum professionals, several of whom are HLI alumni.
This year’s curriculum and new format
At the HLI Seminar, the cohort will engage with speakers and facilitators operating on the field’s leading edge, exploring topics such as empathetic leadership, the promise and threat of artificial intelligence, catalyzing organizational change, trauma-informed practice, and cultivating thriving teams.
Through a two-week intensive seminar at the Indiana Historical Society in Indianapolis, along with virtual convenings both before and after, this group of emerging leaders will develop the ideas, skills, and networks to help them facilitate changes that will shape our field in the years to come. This year’s format, of five post-seminar virtual sessions over three months, aims to improve the support for participants in applying what they have learned.
About HLI
HLI is led by Director Andrea Jones, who has more than 20 years of experience in the museum sector and is known for her creativity, advocacy for non-traditional learners, and commitment to diversity and inclusion. This year, Jones is excited to enter her second year leading the program.
Formerly known as the Seminar for Historical Administration, the HLI program has helped develop the leaders of the public history field since 1959. It is led by AASLH with the support of several field-leading institutions, including the Association of African American Museums, Conner Prairie, History Nebraska, Indiana Historical Society, Minnesota Historical Society, Missouri Historical Society, and the National Association for Interpretation.
Learn more about the History Leadership Institute here.
