Hello everyone! My name is Emily– I’m a first year in the Public History MA program. I grew up in a small town in western Iowa, where I’ve lived most of my life. For my undergraduate, I attended the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa. I studied History and Political Science during my undergrad, along with earning a Museum Studies certificate. During my undergrad I worked at several museums, including the on-campus museums where I ran the children’s programming for ages 2 – 10. For my undergrad honors thesis, I studied the League of Women Voters of Iowa and their activities related to defining citizenship after between 1920 and 1940. My research interests are women’s history broadly, but also looking at intersectional identities and structures of power. Like in my honors thesis, I continue to be interested in theories of citizenship and political history.
I’m currently working as a Teaching Assistant with the AU Department of Critical Race, Gender and Culture with Professor Irene Calis for Gender, Politics, and Power class. It’s been a great experience so far. I’m also working as a Substitute Teacher at a handful of districts near my home here in Iowa. I substitute teach at any level, though my favorite is middle school.
I’ve always been interested in history and education. I actually started my undergraduate with the plan to apply to the UI College of Education to be a history teacher, but ended up decided to go towards museums instead. Public History seemed like a natural continuance of these interests, one which could have broader application that earning a masters in Museum Studies. In my future, I hope to work in programming, or outreach, or maybe exhibitions. One thing I know for sure is that I want to make things that will help people learn in creative and engaging ways. I’m looking forward to learning skills in this class that will help me do that.
Outside of work and school, I love to play Nintendo games (Animal Crossing New Horizons anyone?) or Stardew Valley. I’m also a sucker for a bad period drama — currently watching Reign and just finished Bridgerton. I love a quiet day at home with my fiancé, Alex, and my cat, Sherlock. Once restrictions are lifted, I look forward to visiting museums again and moving to DC.