Our Mission
Founded in 1992, the Center for the Study of the American South is about digging deep into the complexities of the South—its past, its present, and its future.
We are a home where research, creativity, and community collide to spark conversations that matter. We are committed to being honest about the region’s history while staying engaged with how it is changing and growing today.
Through public programs, publications, fellowships, and creative partnerships, we connect the campus and the community, giving people the tools and space to explore the South’s diverse cultures and stories. Our work is driven by a passion for innovation, collaboration, and critical thinking, as we push for a more inclusive and forward-thinking South.
We believe that by embracing Southern traditions of storytelling and community, asking hard questions, and honoring new voices, we can shape a future where everyone has a seat at the table.
History
The Center for the Study of the American South was founded in 1992 at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill
Letter from the director
Welcome to the newly relaunched site for the Center for the Study of the American South!
As I complete my second academic year as director, I’m thrilled with the ways that the Center team has come together to support one another. It is at the intersections of our work where we are at strongest; active in the process of preserving our rich histories, capturing cutting-edge cultural, artistic and scholarly understandings of our past, present, and future, and teaching and learning from our incredible students.
Staff Directory
Center for the Study of the American South
Director, Blair LM Kelley
Administrative Manager, Terri Lorant
Administrative Assistant to the Director, Melissa Peng
Senior Leadership Advisor, Marcie Cohen Ferris
2024-2025 Research Assistant, Melody Hunter-Pillion
Southern Cultures
Executive Editor, Ayşe Erginer
Art Director & Deputy Editor, Emily Wallace
Managing Editor, Annie Lubinsky
Faculty Editors, Marcie Cohen Ferris and Regina N. Bradley
Assistant Editor, Walker Livingston
Southern Oral History Program
Director, Renee Alexander Craft
Associate Director, Phillip MacDonald
SOHP Field Scholars, Anna Elliott, Melody Hunter-Pillion, and Lauren Rekhelman
Southern Futures
Directors, Elizabeth Engelhardt and Blair LM Kelley
Assistant Director, Jordan Lovejoy
Operations Manager, Jailyn Neville
Student Assistants, Hallie Brew and Nikolas Lewis
Contact Us
We’d love to hear from you!
Whether you have questions, ideas to share, or want to collaborate, reach out to the Center for the Study of the American South and join the conversation shaping the region’s future.
Directions
Visit us at the Center for the Study of the American South, located on the historic UNC-Chapel Hill campus. Our doors are open to all seeking to engage with the stories, voices, and visions of the South.
