5 Questions With Newman Center Executive Director Aisha Ahmad-Post
Author(s)
Jordyn Reiland
Writer
From scouting global artists to finding a weightlifting group and the best fish burrito near campus, the bold leader behind the Newman Center’s evolving line-up brings vision and energy to everything she does.
Whether attending a circus festival in Montreal, visiting dancers in Taipei, or connecting with jazz artists in New York City, Aisha Ahmad-Post is always on the lookout for the next act to dazzle Newman Center attendees.
As the executive directorof the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Ahmad-Post oversees venue operations, the facility’s rental program, the K-12 performing arts education program, and the Newman Center Presents series.
And while a lot has changed since Ahmad-Post started her role in August 2020, what has not wavered is her passionate desire to bring something new and different to DU and its surrounding Denver community.
“There's sort of this thread right now that says, we should be really focusing on our hyper local artists and building up our artistic practices there, which is absolutely a terrific, important, and worthy goal,” she says. “I don't say that is not important. What I do think it misses is the need for artists to have exchange with people they might not otherwise meet.”
The 2025-26 Newman Center Presents seasonwill get underway in early October with 17 acts carefully selected by Ahmad-Post.
The DU Newsroom chatted with her about how she maintains balance with her busy schedule, what makes DU special, advice for students entering post-graduation life, and more.
What makes you proud to work at DU?
I am proud of the team that I get to work with at the Newman Center every day.
I started during COVID, and a lot of my team was furloughed for nine months during that period and chose to come back. To be honest with you, I was flabbergasted. A lot of people left the arts and performing arts centers or just found new jobs. So, I asked them why they were coming back, and they said, ‘Honestly, the Newman Center is the only place I can imagine working.’ I was so touched and amazed by that, because a lot of these folks have been there for five, 10, 15 years, and I didn't want to lose that trust.
There are not many opportunities in the business world, nonprofit world, or anywhere where you have that sense of commitment to mission, culture, and each other. I just felt so lucky to be leading and be part of this team.
What is a surprising fact that people may not know about your job?
My office is not in the Newman Center. There’s this little yellow cottage on the corner of York and Wesley called the Rose cottage—it’s at 2393 S. York St. That’s where all of us in education, advancement, artistic, marketing, administration sit. So, we call that ‘the cottage,’ and then we call the Newman Center ‘the big house.’
What is your go-to lunch spot near campus?
So, first, Tacos El Metate. I grew up in Tucson, Arizona, and we had really good Sonoran-style Mexican food. They are one of the only places that does a fish burrito with proper Sonoran-style tortillas. Every time I go there, it makes me feel a little bit like I’m at home.
Istanbul has delicious Turkish çayand so that makes me happy, along with some baklava. I also like Sawa, which is the new Mediterranean restaurant that opened on Evans.
Pita Fresh is the only place that’s open until two or three in the morning, so I eat there a lot, and I do have a deep and abiding love for Snarf’s.
What is a unique or creative way that you maintain your wellness?
I've recently started taking ceramics classes, specifically wheel throwing. I love it because it’s two or three hours of playing in the mud. I love how meditative and focused it is. You can't be on a screen, and instead everybody gossips or small talks during class. I don't know any of these people very well, so it's also an opportunity to meet new people.
I also really love weightlifting. I've managed to find a group of girls that I like to weight lift with, and it's just so fun. If you’re weightlifting alone, it can get lonely, but together, we sort of egg each other on and then it becomes a little competitive in a healthy way.
What advice would you give a student who is graduating and getting ready to start their post-college life?
Keep up with your networks and be willing to be open to everything. Fortune favors the bold and fortune favors the prepared, so be willing to say yes and take chances and risks.
Everybody has setbacks and experiences where it’s not quite aligned, and that’s OK—it happens to everyone and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. Just roll with it.
