I was drawn to this program because it will give me the knowledge and experience to thrive as a public historian. I also love the community partnership aspect because it allows myself and other students to work in the museum field while studying full-time. My graduate assistantship is at Bellefontaine Cemetery. I will be working with Dan Fuller, Event and Volunteer Coordinator, to catalogue architecturally significant structures and artifacts left behind by family members. I also have experience in cemetery restoration and hope to utilize it during my assistantship. In 8 years I hope to work at a history or art museum as a curator or registrar. I want the public to understand and love history as much as I do, because the past is worth saving and learning from. 

I adore locally owned restaurants like Spiro’s, Fritanga, and Amighetti’s, and my favorite podcast is History Goes Bump! It focuses on the history of haunted places around the world. In my free time I like to spelunk and hike around Missouri. I recommend hiking Mina Sauk Falls Trail at Taum Sauk Mountain State Park; it is a beautiful place and rare gem. The ecosystem at the park is unique to the Midwest and a haven for blue-tailed lizards.