Parisa Ahmadi named director of the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center
Ahmadi brings extensive experience in education, cultural programming and community engagement to her role.
The Ohio State University has appointed Dr. Parisa Ahmadi as director of the Frank W. Hale Jr. Black Cultural Center. An educator and community-engaged leader, Ahmadi brings extensive experience in education, cultural programming and community engagement to her role. Her work focuses on the arts as a bridge for connection, dialogue and learning.
“My goal is to build on the Hale Center’s legacy by expanding creative, collaborative and student-driven programming,” Ahmadi said. “The Hale Center has always been a place for learning, dialogue and community. I want it to continue welcoming all members of the Ohio State community and beyond into these shared experiences, and to give even greater visibility to the art collection at its core.”
As a doctoral student at Ohio State, she designed and taught interdisciplinary courses that integrated literature, visual art and film to explore identity and culture. In the process she won Outstanding Teaching Awards from both her department and the university. She also mentored student leaders and collaborated on projects that celebrated cultural expression and community storytelling. Her professional experience includes leadership in event planning, program design and partnership development across higher education and the arts.
The Hale Center is an Ohio State hub dedicated to fostering academic success, cultural enrichment and community engagement. The center is also home to one of the largest collections of African American and African art in the United States, featuring works by nationally acclaimed and local artists that reflect and celebrate the richness of the Black experience.
“Dr. Ahmadi brings scholarship, creativity and heart to this role,” said Vice Provost for the Arts Lisa Florman. “Her vision ensures the Hale Center remains a vibrant, inclusive space where all members of our community can learn from, contribute to, and engage with cultural expression and the arts.”
Ahmadi earned her PhD in Comparative Studies from Ohio State and a BA in Anthropology from the College of Wooster.