The MLA is pleased to announce that Jason Rhody, program director at the Social Science Research Council (SSRC), will join the MLA staff as director of the office of academic program services and professional development. Formerly the office of programs, the office was renamed to reflect its wide-reaching work to support department chairs and academic programs and to provide professional development for members at all stages of their careers.
Rhody joins the MLA following the retirement of Dennis Looney, who led the department from 2014 to September 2021. At SSRC Rhody directs the Digital Culture program, the Social Data Initiative, and the Media and Democracy program. Before joining the SSRC, he served as senior program officer at the National Endowment for the Humanities, helping to create the endowment’s Office of Digital Humanities and directing grant programs. Rhody received his PhD in English from the University of Maryland. We look forward to welcoming Jason Rhody and to the experienced leadership he will bring to the MLA’s evolving professional development programming.