Background Essay

I was born in Pennsylvania, spent my early childhood in Illinois, and later moved to Texas, where I spent the majority of my childhood and adult life. As a child, I was drawn to history and had a keen fascination with viewing and learning about historic objects in the museum, which has stayed with me to this day. This appreciation for history deeply influenced me, leading me to sit in class daydreaming about a future where I could travel the world, explore, study, and share history. My path to higher education is not the typical one. After graduating from high school in 2009, I focused on developing my soft skills. It would not be until 2017 that I gave more thought to my passions and interests, and in my late twenties, I decided to go back to school. To gain some hands-on experience, in August of 2017, I volunteered on a week-long excavation at the Fairfield Foundation in Gloucester, Virginia, where I had my first experience in archaeology, excavating the remains of the foundation of an 18th-century plantation house. Later in June of 2018, after connecting with a volunteer from my time at Fairfield, I was asked to aid in a day-dig in Waco, Texas, where we uncovered a historic water fountain that had been dismantled in the early 20th century. After my two volunteer experiences in archaeology, I decided to take the leap and pursue my degree, applying to the University of Aberdeen. However, during this time, I faced several personal challenges and had to defer my enrollment, eventually working two jobs to save enough money to obtain my student visa. It would not be until 2019 that I would be able to commence my studies, making the most monumental decision of my life, and move to Aberdeen, Scotland.

During my studies at Aberdeen, I had the opportunity to do fieldwork for archaeology in a small village called Aberlemno. I was also fortunate to volunteer on an archaeology project to catalogue an assemblage of Ice Age faunal remains from Ffynnon Beuno Cave, where I weighed, measured, and photographed each artifact within the designated assemblage. Later, through one of my Art History courses, Art in the City, I had the opportunity to travel with my class for a week-long trip to Berlin, Germany, where I presented on the Neo-Gothic Architecture of the Friedrichswerdersche Kirche, designed by the renowned artist and architect Karl Friedrich Schinkel. The architecture in Berlin, along with my Art History courses, would inspire my decision to write my dissertation over the Greek Revival architecture of Broomhall House, the ancestral home of the Earls of Elgin, and it is here that I would have the privilege of touring the house and speaking with Lord Bruce, a descendant of the 7th Earl of Elgin, ultimately effecting my decision to pursue a career in curation. Throughout my time in Scotland, I immersed myself in Scottish culture, explored numerous castles and grand manor homes, viewed historic Pictish stones, and visited many breathtaking museums. I graduated in July of 2023 with a joint-honors degree in Archaeology and Art History. My time abroad also allowed me to take numerous trips around the UK, to London, Bath, Edinburgh, and Inverness. After graduating, I moved back to the United States and took a gap year.

After moving back to the United States, I found it difficult to secure a position in the museum and decided to gain more experience to enhance my resume by pursuing a master’s degree. Researching the best master’s program that aligns with my career goals took several months, but I eventually came across the Master of Arts in Museum Studies (MAMS) program at OU and knew it would equip me to advance my career. After my acceptance into the program, I would reconnect with Fairfield Foundation in August of 2024, this time interning for a week, where I created an exhibition proposal for Timberneck House, an 18th-century plantation house, located in Machicomoco State Park. After starting the MAMS program, one of the most significant experiences that shaped my interests was my internship in the education department at the Amon Carter Museum of American Art as a Community Teaching Intern. My time at the Carter gave me hands-on experience in community outreach programs, co-facilitating alongside community education staff in programs such as the after-school care program, homeschool program, and Cook Children’s program, and I created a lesson plan for the community teaching team based on the museum’s collection. Overall, the internship at the Carter has given me valuable hands-on experience regarding the museum’s functions and operations, and has provided tools and resources that I can apply in future employment, as shown in my SWOT Analysis. Moreover, public programming, community collaboration, and museum education were concepts encountered throughout my studies, implementing visitor-centric design and interpretive strategies. Through this experience at the Carter, I have gained practical knowledge of developing strong community relationships through public engagement and education, accomplishing my Personal Learning Goal 3.

Over the past two years, my interests have grown, and I now have a better understanding of the museum’s internal and external systems and operations. When I first started this journey all those years ago, I wanted to be an archaeologist. While that plan has changed, my passion for historical and cultural artifacts has stayed the same. My career aspirations revolve around curation and ensuring that the museum accurately and authentically represents marginalized communities, contributing to Learning Goal 2. My experience in the MAMS program has deepened my passion for DEAI initiatives, creating diverse and inclusive spaces in the museum, and ensuring that ethical and legal provenance and repatriation are being conducted, shaping Learning Goals 1 and 4. My SWOT Analysis gave me a better understanding of my weaknesses and threats, which has allowed me to reflect on professional opportunities and strengths. Based on my self-reflection, I want to create exhibits that provide meaningful visitor experiences, align with my strengths, and position me for a career in museum curation.