Degree: History BA 2009; History MA 2015
When did you graduate? BA 2009; MA 2015
What were some of the most rewarding/influential classes in your major? I found Dr. Lucas’s historiography and methods course to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at UCA as it forced me to reconsider how I approached history as a discipline.
Where did you live? Morrilton, AR
What groups did you belong to? Phi Alpha Theta
Did you participate in any experiences outside the classroom in your major field?
I participated in ACRE’s (Arkansas Center for Research in Economics) 2015 Spring Symposium. Also, I attended and presented a paper at the World History and Economics conference at Appalachian State University in the Spring of 2015.
What other experiences did you have that enriched your time as a student at UCA? During my four semesters as a graduate student at UCA, I wrote a thesis exploring the influence of Enlightenment thought on Puritan theology in colonial New England. The challenge and stimulation of researching, writing, and revising a project of that size greatly enhanced what was already a rewarding educational experience.
What did you plan to do with your degree? My long-term career goal has always been to teach.
How are you using your degree? I am currently an Assistant Professor of History at Northwest Nazarene University.
What disciplinary skills do you use most often in your current job? The skills required to complete an advanced degree in history are relevant beyond the confines of the discipline. Parsing irrelevant and relevant information, lucid writing, distilling cumbersome research down to its core arguments, and understanding broader perspectives are valuable skills honed through extended study in the field of history.
What are your plans? What will your degree allow you to do/accomplish as you move forward? I completed a PhD at Baylor University where I expanded the work on Enlightenment and religion I started while at UCA.
What is the most surprising/unexpected thing you learned about yourself during your time as a history student at UCA? I was pleasantly surprised by my ability to compete with other students from more prestigious institutions in terms of test scores and acceptance into PhD programs. This, I believe, is due to the genuine concern UCA history professors have for the academic and vocational success of their students.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get a history degree? Do it.