Who is Jessica Frankenfield from Jeopardy? The Philadelphia Events Professional Bridging History, Academia, and Engagement

Jessica Frankenfield is a Philadelphia-based events and engagement professional with a career that blends public history, communications, and academic programming. She currently serves as Associate Director of Engagement and Events at the Finance Research Center within The Wharton School, a role she began in May 2025.

In this position, she focuses on organizing and managing events, fostering engagement within the academic community, and supporting research-driven initiatives. Her work involves coordinating complex programs while ensuring that faculty, students, and external audiences remain connected to the center’s activities.

Her career reflects a consistent focus on engagement-driven roles within academic and cultural institutions. Each step has built on her ability to combine communication, organization, and historical knowledge into impactful programming.

Nearly a Decade at the American Philosophical Society

Before joining The Wharton School, Frankenfield spent more than nine years at the American Philosophical Society, where she steadily advanced through several roles. She began as a Programs and Communications Associate and later became a Programs and Communications Officer.

During her time there, she played a key role in coordinating institutional programs, managing communications, and supporting outreach efforts. Her responsibilities included organizing events, promoting scholarly initiatives, and ensuring effective communication between the institution and its audiences.

This long tenure highlights both her expertise and her ability to grow within a respected organization. It also reflects a deep familiarity with academic and historical programming, which continues to inform her work today.

Early Career in Research, Communications, and Public History

Frankenfield’s early career included multiple roles at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where she gained experience across communications, technology, and research. Her positions included Security Communications Coordinator, Content Coordinator and Technical Writer within the Office of Information Technology, and Research Assistant.

These roles provided a strong foundation in both technical communication and academic research. They also helped develop skills in writing, coordination, and information management, which remain central to her professional work.

In addition to her university roles, she completed internships and fellowships at a range of cultural and historical institutions. These included the Museums of Old York, Newberry Library, Philadelphia Society for the Preservation of Landmarks, Museum of Science and Industry, and Montgomery County Historical Society. Through these experiences, she gained hands-on exposure to archives, collections, and public-facing educational work.

Academic Background in History and Public History

Frankenfield’s academic background is rooted in history, with a particular focus on public history. She earned a Master of Arts in History/Public History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst between 2010 and 2012.

During her graduate studies, she also served as Co-Chair of the Graduate History Association, demonstrating early leadership and involvement in the academic community. Her studies emphasized both historical scholarship and the practical application of history in public settings.

She previously completed a Bachelor of Arts in History at Temple University from 2007 to 2009. This foundation in history has remained central to her career, shaping her approach to programming, research, and communication.

In 2024, she further expanded her expertise by graduating from the Nancy Bacher Long PR Institute through the Public Relations Society of America in Philadelphia. As part of a winning team, she gained additional experience in strategic communications and public relations.

Skills, Professional Focus, and Community Engagement

Frankenfield’s professional skill set reflects a combination of historical research and modern communications. Her experience includes archival research, grant writing, editing, library sciences, and program coordination.

Her work consistently focuses on connecting audiences with academic and cultural content. Whether through events, communications strategies, or outreach initiatives, she plays a role in making scholarly work more accessible and engaging.

She is also active on professional networks such as LinkedIn, where she maintains a growing network of connections. Her engagement includes promoting academic and cultural programming, such as events like the Indigenous Learning Forum, which highlights important historical and social topics.

A Career Connecting History and Modern Engagement

Frankenfield’s career highlights a clear theme of bridging historical knowledge with contemporary engagement. Her work across museums, academic institutions, and research organizations reflects a commitment to making history relevant and accessible to broader audiences.

Her ability to combine event planning with historical expertise allows her to create programs that are both informative and engaging. This combination has positioned her as a valuable contributor within academic and cultural spaces.

As she continues her work at The Wharton School, her role reflects both her experience and her ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful connections between research, history, and public engagement.

Jessica Frankenfield: Quick Facts and Background

Jessica Frankenfield is an events and engagement professional based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. She currently serves as Associate Director of Engagement and Events at the Finance Research Center within The Wharton School.

She is an American woman with a background in history and public history. She holds a Master of Arts in History/Public History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and a Bachelor of Arts in History from Temple University. She also completed the Nancy Bacher Long PR Institute in 2024.

Her career includes roles at the American Philosophical Society and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, along with internships and fellowships at multiple museums and historical institutions. Her expertise includes communications, archival research, grant writing, and event programming, with a focus on connecting academic work to broader audiences.