What are you up to these days?

I live in Springfield, Illinois, working for my family business Bi-Petro, Inc which is a crude oil purchasing company. I am currently the Director of Safety with the company and I graduated from UIS back in May of 2021 with an MA in History.  

Tell us more about your job.

I have been working for Bi-Petro, Inc full time now going on 6 years. My job responsibilities include interviewing and hiring, managing the company drug and alcohol program, driver safety and training, vehicle registrations, and managing our social media page. Outside of work I am currently working on my history podcast which is about local history in central Illinois. 

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

The relationships that I was able to form with my college professors such as Dr. Hunter, Dr. Peck and Dr. Kent made a huge impact on my career. They were able to teach me many skills that I still use to this day when it comes to handling stressful situations at my job, conducting historical research, and being a proactive person in my community. 

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

That every history student should sign up for the Masters program in History because UIS has some of the best college professors that will give you the extra help and guidance that you need to be successful as a student and a professional.