Change is afoot at the Ansari Institute. After a period of relative stability, the Ansari Institute will be undergoing some changes in the year ahead. Dr. Charles W. Powell, who has served as an adjunct assistant teaching professor with the Ansari Institute for three years, will be leaving the Institute to join the University of Notre Dame’s Office for Mission Engagement and Church Affairs (OMECA) as their Associate Director starting in late July. This is a wonderful opportunity for Powell to apply his skills as a practical theologian and former pastor. The Ansari Institute also hopes that this appointment might lead to further opportunities for collaboration with OMECA, as the mission of both the Ansari Institute and the University share strategic alignment. Executive Director Mahan Mirza says of Powell’s departure, “Interfaith is part of Charles Powell's DNA. He has been a core member of our team leading timely conversations, mentoring students, and engaging partners within and beyond the university. Although we are sorry to see Charles go, we look forward to maintaining and even deepening our relationship with him through his new role at Notre Dame's Office of Mission Engagement and Church Affairs."
Additionally, the Institute is excited to welcome Scott Appleby as a core affiliated faculty member. In May it was announced that Appleby had been appointed the Keough-Hesburgh Professor of Global Affairs, effective July 1st. This prestigious appointment is one of the highest honors available at the University of Notre Dame. Appleby has stepped down from his position as Dean of the Keough School and is spending this year on sabbatical to recalibrate back from “administrator” to “scholar.” Although he is spending some time in planning meetings this year, he will begin his time with the Ansari Institute in earnest at the start of the 2025-2026 academic year. Mirza says of Appleby, "Scott is a leading scholar in the field of 'global engagement with religion.’’’ The Ansari Institute was established under his leadership as Dean of the Keough School. If we were to search around the world, we wouldn't find a more suitable core faculty member to deepen the research profile and expand the scholarly network of the Ansari Institute going forward."