Staff

‌‌‌Phil Harling, Director

Professor Phil Harling started at the University of Miami in the summer of 2022, after almost 30 years of teaching and administrative service at the University of Kentucky. He grew up in Evanston, Illinois, and received his B.A. from Grinnell College in 1986 and his Ph.D. in History from Princeton University in 1993. A Professor of History, Phil specializes in Britain and the British Empire in the 19^th century ... Continued

‌Christina Larson, Assistant Director

Christina Larson (PhD in Art History) was named Assistant Director at the Center for the Humanities in September 2021. As someone who has studied humanities-related disciplines and who is passionate about scholarship and learning, she was delighted to assume this role at the University of Miami ... Continued

Elizabeth S. Hernandez, Office Manager   

Sydney Shamblin, UGrow Fellow (Center for the Humanities, 2024-2025)  

Sydney Shamblin Anderson is an English Ph.D. candidate with a Medieval and Early Modern Studies Concentration. Sydney’s dissertation examines the intersections of experimental science, anatomy, and performance studies in early modern revenge tragedies. In addition to her scholarly pursuits, she is deeply engaged in academic service. As the Founding Chair of the Shakespeare Association of America (SAA)’s Graduate Committee (est. 2024), Sydney leads initiatives to promote graduate student scholarship in one of the leading academic associations for Shakespeare studies. At the University of Miami, she currently serves as the President of the English Graduate Organization (EGO) and the Vice President of the Graduate Student Association (GSA). Additionally, as the appointed Graduate Representative to the Board of Trustees Academic Affairs Committee, Sydney contributes to university-wide discussions on academic policy decisions for the University of Miami.

Lyric Johnson, Student Assistant (Marketing + Outreach Coordinator)

Lyric Johnson is a fourth-year undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Political Science and Psychology at the University of Miami while also completing two minors in Entrepreneurship and LGBTQ studies. This is her fourth year as a Student Assistant at the Center for the Humanities where she works to assist in events, marketing, and outreach efforts. Some of her achievements include being a Foote Fellows Honor student, member of Psi Chi International Honor Society, and a Presidential Scholar. She plans to begin teaching elementary school upon graduation and then to further her education by obtaining her Occupational Therapy Doctorate. 

Layla-Bleu Jackson Yanez, Student Assistant (Digital Content Coordinator)

Layla-Bleu Jackson Yanez is a sophomore at the University of Miami, majoring in Sports Administration with a focus on the pre-law track. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, this is her second year as a Student Assistant at the Center for Humanities, where she assists with various events, research, administrative tasks, and social media. Layla-Bleu's passion for both sports and the legal field drives her to explore the intersections of culture, ethics, and law within the humanities.

‌‌Mihoko Suzuki, Founding Director (2009 - 2018)

Professor Mihoko Suzuki earned her A.B. in an interdisciplinary major, History and Literature, in the College Scholar Program at Cornell University and her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature at Yale University. Her scholarship focuses on Renaissance and early modern literature and ... Continued

‌‌‌Hugh Thomas, Director (2018 - 2023)

Professor Hugh M. Thomas received his B.A. and Ph.D. from Yale University and has taught at the University of Miami since 1988. His research focuses on the history of medieval Europe, particularly England, from the eleventh to the early thirteenth century ... Continued