Why did you choose UNI? 

I chose UNI because I was interested in their public history minor. I wanted to have opportunities to dive deeper into the history major, and I was impressed by the opportunities the history major offered with their minors and certificates.

What have you enjoyed the most about attending UNI? 

I have most enjoyed the great people I have met here. I have created fond memories making friends in my classes and studying/hanging out with them in the library. 

How did you become interested in your major at UNI? 

I always had a fascination with history. When I was a kid, I read history fun fact books all the time and it sparked my love with history and helped solidify my major choice. While I jumped between major ideas in high school, I know that history will always be a part of my heart. 

How have you been involved outside of the classroom?

I’ve done a handful of internships over the course of my time here. I did an internship with Effigy Mounds last summer, and I just completed an internship with Ira and Asenath Sturdevant House in Waverly. I researched a certain topic and created posters for better interpretation for their audiences. I also did research for my honors thesis, which was about the establishment of law enforcement in the Western frontier (specifically AZ and NM Territories)

What professors have been most influential through your time here at UNI?

Robert Dise has been one of the greatest professors I have ever had in my higher educational career. I’ve always enjoyed his classes and he always rooted for me as I gave him updates for summer internship applications. He was patient with me as I worked on my honors thesis and helped make me a better author and researcher. 

What are your post-graduation plans? 

I will be participating in a summer interpretation internship with Wind Cave National Park (SD) immediately after graduation. I am still exploring my options after the summer. 

How has UNI/your major helped prepare you for these plans? 

I actually got my foot in the door for NPS because of my Effigy Mounds internship. It helped me get more NPS experience that ultimately led to my Wind Cave internship. I also have mastered the art of researching and writing because that is predominantly what history majors do, which really came in handy when I was making posters for my previous internships. 

What advice would you give to students who are considering this major? 

Let your passion for history take you places that you didn’t think was possible. With passion, you can accomplish anything within the history program.