Statement of Professional Philosophy

When I first began the Master of Arts in Museum Studies (MAMS) program at the University of Oklahoma, my career goals were focused on curation, and have remained the same. I believe that museums are spaces of knowledge, serving their communities through education, visitor engagement, and community collaboration. I am committed to creating diverse and inclusive spaces that bring to light the historical narratives of marginalized communities and encourage visitors to explore new interpretations. My professional philosophy is that museums are not neutral spaces and that it is our duty as museum professionals to be accountable and transparent in our historical interpretations, further challenging the narrative. This philosophy was shaped by my coursework in MST 5333 Introduction to Museum Interpretation, where I studied the evolving relationship between museum education and communities, and how this interrelation impacts exhibits and the interpretation of content.

Throughout my academic journey, I have acquired skills in exhibition design and development, curatorial research, and collections management. MST 5183 Collections Management provided a thorough foundation of collection care in the museum, such as developing a collections policy, and how to care for and maintain objects in a museum’s collection. MST 5173 Museums, Cultures, and Communities deepened my understanding of community collaboration and the role museums have in creating engaging and meaningful visitor experiences. Whereas MST 5163 Museum Leadership and Management provided me with insight into the internal operations and functions of the museum.

MST 5073 Technology for Museum Professionals equipped me with expertise in integrating multimedia and digital technologies to create more immersive, interactive museum environments for visitors. This was then applied in MST 5700 Exhibit Development, where I created an online Omeka exhibit titled Roots of Resistance: The Art of Elizabeth Catlett, incorporating many of the skills that I have learned throughout the program, like multimedia technologies to enhance engagement and visitor learning, and to provide an immersive experience that is accessible for remote audiences.

Overall, my professional philosophy has grown to develop a broad understanding of museum management and leadership, collections management, and interpretation. I learned and developed practical skills in research, strategic planning, and collections care. While I am still drawn to a career in curating, I now have basic interdisciplinary skills to work effectively with, support, and efficiently collaborate in the museum field. I am dedicated to incorporating DEAI initiatives and integrating digital technologies to create more interactive elements in museum exhibits, open-access databases, and digital repatriation. As I embark on this new chapter in my life, I aim to create spaces that offer impactful experiences for audiences and immersive environments that allow visitors to explore new perspectives.