The executive committee of the Midwest Center for Holocaust Education has announced that Jessica Rockhold has been hired as the organization’s new executive director, effective Jan. 1.
Rockhold has been with MCHE since 2003, serving as director of education and (since Sept. 1) also as associate director. She succeeds Jean Zeldin, MCHE’s founding executive director, who is retiring after 26 years. She holds a master’s degree in museum studies from the University of Kansas with an emphasis on the Holocaust and served as a research assistant for the senior historian at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.
According to MCHE board president Karl Zobrist, Rockhold’s appointment follows a careful and thorough process, both local and national, by a search committee chaired by Steve Flekier, MCHE’s immediate past president. After reviewing and interviewing a number of candidates, the committee unanimously concluded that Rockhold demonstrates the knowledge, background and ability to lead MCHE into the next decade and to enhance its outreach and development.
Officers of MCHE who constitute the executive committee were united in accepting the search committee’s recommendation.
Rockhold is excited to begin her new duties at the start of next year.
“I am deeply honored to be named MCHE‘s executive director,” she said. “For nearly 17 years, my priority has been preserving our survivors‘ memories and teaching this history to the broadest audience possible. I look forward to my new role in this mission and to embracing new challenges by engaging with our community, collaborating with the board, and working with MCHE’s outstanding team.”