Since beginning my first museum internship in 2013, I have focused on building a career in the cultural heritage sector. I have worked at a variety of institutions, including historic homes, arts centers, and local history museums. Through this professional experience, I have developed skills in website management, graphic design, social media, and event planning. I hope to apply these skills and the skills that I am developing through continued education to an archives or museum role.
I received my undergraduate degree in 2016 from Fordham University in New York. Since then, I have sought additional educational opportunities. In May 2021 I completed a museum studies certificate from the University of Iowa, which included coursework in visitor evaluation, exhibit development, and social justice in museums. In August 2021 I began graduate education at the University of Iowa's School of Library and Information Science. While in this program, I plan to pursue certificates in digital humanities and special collections librarianship. With the skills developed through this coursework, I hope to find a position that will allow me to apply digital skills to historic interpretation.
In addition to my interests in public history and cultural heritage, I have a passion for theatre arts. In my undergrad coursework, I took several electives in theatre topics and published an article about Teresa Deevy's play Katie Roche in the Fordham Undergraduate Research Journal. Since returning to Iowa in 2016, I have been an active participant in local theatres as an actor, director, and assistant stage manager. I am also a speech coach for Washington High School in Cedar Rapids, where I have directed one act, musical theatre, and ensemble acting pieces. My interests in history and theatre have often intersected and I am interested in further exploring the ways that theatre and performance can be used for public history interpretation.
Education
University of Iowa
2023
2021
Fordham University
2016
MA in Library and Information Science
Certificates in Digital Humanities and Special Collections Librarianship
Certificate in Museum Studies
BA in Medieval Studies
Certificate in American Catholic Studies
Experience
University of Iowa
Aug 2021 - Present
Brucemore
June 2021 - Present
Simmons Perrine Moyer Bergman
Oct 2020 - June 2021
African American Museum of Iowa
Nov 2018 - Oct 2020
Communications Graduate Assistant
Responsible for creating content for the School of Library Science social media channels and updating the department's website.
Visitor Services Assistant
Responsible for creating an enjoyable visitor experience at a historic estate. Duties include processing ticket sales, providing interpretive information about the site, and answering visitor inquiries in person and on the phone.
Legal Assistant
Provided support for attorneys and paralegals by organizing legal documents and metadata within the internal filing system. Created monthly analytic reports for the firm's social media channels and website.
Communications Coordinator
Managed the museum's digital and print communications. Duties included creating content for social media, designing marketing collateral, and updating the website.
Skills
Programming & Events
Technology
Exhibit Design
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I have worked on a variety of events, including: fundraising galas, performances, and art fairs.
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During the summer of 2020 I worked on developing a digital version of the African American Museum of Iowa's annual Juneteenth celebration.
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Examples of programs developed: family-oriented programs including craft projects for children, collaborations with other non-profit organizations to bring a dance troupe to a museum, a book club focused on books by African American women.
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Proficient technical skills, including Microsoft Office, basic HTML and CSS, and the Adobe Creative Suite
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I have worked on developing webpages for WordPress hosted websites. My web development training includes taking courses through Delta V code school in Cedar Rapids, IA and through Codecademy.
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I have used the Adobe Creative Suite to create print newsletters, banners, and programs, among other projects for the African American Museum of Iowa.
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Completed an exhibit development course through the University of Iowa's museum studies program
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Designed panels for a lobby case exhibit at the University of Iowa Law Library
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Designed a prototype of an online interactive to be used by the Kalona Historical Society in conjunction with a physical exhibit