Hoffman joined Southeast in 1995 and teaches classes in historic preservation, American architectural history, urban design and African-American history. His publications include “Race, Class and Power in the Building of Richmond, 1870-1920,” several National Register of Historic Places nominations and articles on southern urban history. He earned a master’s degree in heritage preservation from Georgia State University and a doctorate in history from Carnegie Mellon University.

Hoffman began his duties on Aug. 9 and replaced Dr. Adam Criblez who has stepped down as director, a position he held since 2013, and will remain a professor of history for the University’s Department of History and Anthropology.

“I’m thrilled that Dr. Hoffman will be serving as the director for the Bollinger Center for Regional History at Southeast,” said Dr. Melissa Odegard-Koester, interim dean for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences. “He brings knowledge, rich experiences to his students in the classroom, innovative ideas, and will provide further opportunities to enhance and grow the Center’s footprint in the region.”

In leading the Bollinger Center for Regional History, Hoffman will collaborate with regional historic sites and agencies, his colleagues and students to document, preserve, interpret and present on various aspects of local and regional history.

“I look forward most to the opportunities to engage students and faculty in the  University’s Historic Preservation and Public History programs with enhanced experiential learning opportunities and outreach in the community,” Hoffman said.

There is a wealth of historic resources in this region, he said, including national and state parks, area museums and sites, regional archives and collections, area historic agencies, and Main Street revitalization programs such as Old Town Cape and Uptown Jackson.

“My main goal as director will be cooperating with area institutions to strengthen the teaching and scholarly opportunities for preservation students and faculty, providing strong learning experiences for our students, and serving the needs of the region,” he said.

The Bollinger Center for Regional History was established at Southeast Missouri State University in 1978 with Dr. Arthur Mattingly serving as the director. In 1982, Bob White replaced Mattingly and, in 1990, Dr. Frank Nickell assumed the directorship for more than 20 years. In 2013, Dr. Adam Criblez became the director following the retirement of Nickell.