What are you up to these days?

I just bought a house in Knoxville, TN with my dog, Albert. I'm the director at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center. I graduated from UIS back in May of 2019.

Tell us more about your job.

I've been the director at the Green McAdoo Cultural Center for two years now. Prior to that, I was with the National Park Service where I had the fortune of working at Lincoln Home National Historic Site and President's Park/White House, as well as the Padre Island National Seashore. I wear many hats in my current position, but some of the main duties I have are giving stellar historical interpretation on the history of desegregation, community outreach, community collaboration, fundraising, and grant writing. Currently I'm working on a project for bringing a Smithsonian exhibit on voting to our center, as well as a companion podcast that we are doing with Black in Appalachia and PBS.  

How did your UIS experience help you get to where you are? 

I blame Dr. Hunter for any and all success I've had in my career. From the moment I first called to see if he had room in the program, to well after I've graduated, my advisor went to bat for me. He even sent me the job opening for my first NPS job. Nearly all of the historical/museum theory I've applied to my career I learned in his, (and Prof. Owen's) classes. Digital History with Prof. Owen was incredibly helpful. Every class I took with Prof. Hunter has stuck with me and helped me more than he or I will probably ever understand. I'm thankful I had professors who pushed me to be a better public historian, but who also let me get weird and creative with it. I also want to give a big shout out to Rashaun and Ben for being great friends I met in classes, and Elle for being competitive and pushing me to be greater.  

What advice to you have for anyone considering an MA in History from UIS? 

Sign up for this program if you are ready to prioritize being a public historian. This field is way too competitive for people who aren't committed to it. If you are ready to say yes to anything that helps you build a career in this field, then UIS is the right place. If this is the career you want; these professors will give you the tools to be great.