Advising

American Studies & History

Email: k09am07@kzoo.edu
Hometown: Grand Rapids, MI
Major: History
Minor: Anthropology/Sociology
Concentration: American Studies
Study Abroad: Perth, Australia
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Chocolate & Peanut Butter and Pistachio
Best Adjective to Describe You: Determined

In 10 words or less, why should someone want to be a part of this department?

Studying history allows you to uncover stories from the past.

When did you know you wanted to study this area?  What pathway led you to this department?

I knew I wanted to study history during my junior year of high school after taking an American History class with an extremely dedicated and challenging teacher.

What is the best way to get (and stay) connected to this department?

Visit professors during office hours and talk with them about your interests. They’re really helpful not only when it comes to writing research papers and choosing classes, but also finding internships and graduate schools, even career ideas.

What would you miss the most if you were no longer a part of this department?

Constantly being challenged and pushed to improve my work. This is why I chose K College and the history department does a great job of encouraging their students to put forth their best work. I find that the professors provide constructive criticism which I can learn from in future research and discussion.

What are your career aspirations/next steps after K?

I plan on applying for graduate school to get an M.A. in Public History or Museum Studies and I am also thinking about applying for Teach for America. Later on, I would also like to take the Foreign Service exam.

What has been the biggest surprise you have encountered at K?
The academic shock of returning to K junior spring after six months abroad probably surprised me more than it should have. Junior seminar will be challenging no matter what classes you take with it.

How does your department connect to your other interests and activities?

My knowledge in American history has allowed me to be more informed about current social and political issues that I am passionate about. It is important to understand how present day issues have formed over time in order to create possible solutions.

What has been your favorite class at K?  Why?

All of the history classes I’ve taken at K have been great. Some of my favorite classes were The Modern European City with a visiting history professor and Living Islams with Carol Anderson in the religion department. I also really enjoyed the history major seminars because of the energy created in the classrooms by students who all shared a common passion for the subject. The small class sizes created a sense of community amongst history majors.

What is your SIP?

I’m looking at the city of Grand Rapids, MI after World War II and the effects of white flight on the use of public space in the city by whites and African Americans.

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