Gould Center Special Projects
2026-2027
Quantum Library
Quantum Library Coordinator: Ally Venezia ’28
In 2026-27, the Gould Center is running a special project in connection with the Quantum Library, housed in the Robert Day Sciences Center. Having taken over the management of this library and the development of its collection, the Gould Center project is dedicated to exploring the books that have shaped intellectual inquiry, academic disciplines, and individual perspectives across the Claremont McKenna College community. Through faculty interviews, podcasts, social media content, and public events, the project seeks to document not only what books matter, but why they matter. Curatorial team members will conduct interviews with faculty and authors, create multimedia content, develop a digital catalog of the collection, and organize events––such as faculty and author panels––that bring books and ideas into conversation with the broader campus community. Research and creative outputs may include interviews, podcasts, written features, book reviews, and digital exhibits, all of which will be compiled on a multimedia website. The Curatorial team will also plan and host multiple events throughout the academic year to showcase the collection and encourage discussion around the books that continue to influence the CMC community and beyond.
2024-2025
The Impact of AI on the Humanities
Special Projects Coordinator: Jason Bao ’27
Artificial Intelligence has impacted almost every aspect of our society, including the collection of academic disciplines categorized as the humanities. This project surveys and explores how AI is challenging and transforming core humanistic disciplines such as literature, history, religious studies, philosophy, and the arts. Conversely, the project also examines and chronicles how these humanistic disciplines have imagined and criticized artificial intelligence both presently and historically. This project aims to enable a greater understanding and appreciation of the nature, power, and limitations of both AI and the humanities via this investigation of the bidirectional influence they have on one another. While most of the research will draw on scholarly sources, the team is also expected to conduct professional interviews with relevant academics and professionals. Research outputs include (but are not limited to) research papers, short articles, opinion pieces, creative work, and interviews. All outputs will be published and compiled on a multimedia website. The team will also plan at least four major events (two per semester) to highlight their research.
2023-2024
A CELEBRATION OF CREATIVITY
Special Projects Coordinator: Rukmini Banerjee ’24
Over the course of the year, the project team will organize monthly events highlighting creativity across the humanities. These events might include poetry slams, open mic nights, photography contests, art exhibits, debates, talks, and more. This list is meant to be a starting point; the exact shape of the project and the nature of the events will be determined by the team. The team will also conduct relevant background research and highlight events on social media and a specially designed website or blog. The project will culminate in a largescale Creativity Fest planned by the team.
2022-2023
FOCUS ON FACULTY
Project Coordinator: Flora Li ’23
This year, the Gould Center will be conducting a project titled Focus on Faculty. Over the course of the year, we will be producing a series of “focus features” on faculty and then bringing the features all together on a website. This project aims to connect students with faculty, engage students with faculty research, highlight faculty research to the community, and thereby highlight the power of humanities research to the community.
2021-2022
75 BOOKS
Student Manager: Marycarmen Montañez ’22
To celebrate Claremont McKenna College's 75th anniversary and continue the Gould Center's mission of humanistic inquiry, the Gould Center is excited to present the 75 Books project. Throughout the 2021 - 2022 school year, the Center will be posting a total of 75, 1-minute videos where different members of the CMC community will share a meaningful book that has impacted them and why.