I am originally from Indiana, where I spent the first few years of my professional career in emergency services and geriatric care. I moved to Cincinnati with my partner, who was attaining their graduate degree. After moving, I decided to return to school to earn a degree in Secondary Education, and I thought that UC had an excellent program. In 2020, I joined the History Honor Society, Phi Alpha Theta, and in 2022, I completed my Bachelor’s in Secondary Education, focusing on Social Studies and my minor in History.
What are you up to these days?
I’m currently teaching high school history and working towards my MA in American history at Southern New Hampshire University!
What brought you to history at UC?
It took me a while to pursue a degree, so I attended UC as a non-traditional student. When searching for a place to study, I wanted somewhere with a reputable program. When I toured UC, I thought they had a great program with many practical experience opportunities and diverse course offerings. I also really liked how interdisciplinary the programs were.
What did you focus on as a history student at UC?
While at UC, I spent a lot of my time learning about US and global politics, contemporary world issues post-Cold War, and West African History. I chose to pursue courses about things I learned little about in high school.
Did you have any favorite history courses? Which ones and why?
A couple of history classes have stuck with me since I graduated. The first is also the first-ever history course I took at UC, World History I (Hist1003), with Dr. Longfield Karr. I think I worked harder for this course than any course I’d taken before. It was challenging, but I’m thankful because I became an immensely better writer and appreciated the discussions. Another was The Cold War (Hist3052) with Dr. John McNay. Dr. McNay encouraged us to complete personal research about a range of topics. I chose to focus on The Vietnam War and its impact on the Cold War, and it has led to continued research on the topic today, allowing me to learn more about my family and their contributions during the war. Finally, I must give a shout out to Historical Thoughts and Methods (Hist3000) with Dr. Willard Sunderland. Since leaving UC, Sunderland has been a valuable resource for my students (as a guest speaker in my classes) and has continued to help me better understand Eastern Europe and the Russian-Ukraine War.
What skills did you pick up from studying history that have served you well beyond your courses?
One of the key lessons I learned while taking UC History courses was the importance of bias and the value of primary sources. I host many discussions in my classroom about various sources, and I’ve always appreciated how much UC has prepared me to analyze diverse sources to understand a topic better. This is where I also really appreciated my Historical Thoughts and Methods course with Dr. Sunderland. I learned to read secondary sources while paying close attention to how historians reported history and the methods they used. This has been a great deal of help, not just in teaching but also in preparing me for my graduate degree.
Have any advice for current students?
I have two key pieces. Find an aspect of history that you really feel passionate about. It can be a rigorous journey, but UC offers plenty of courses that allow you to really learn about your own interests. Also, don’t underestimate leaning on your professors or TAs. These meetings are extremely helpful; I always left those meetings feeling more confident. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it.
