Shelbey Morris
Degree: BSE
When did you graduate?: 2017
What were some of the most rewarding/influential classes in your major?: The most rewarding class was Dr. Little’s Public History course because it showed me a new side of history that was active and fun. It combined my love for teaching with history outside of a traditional classroom setting.
The most influential class was Dr. Rosenow’s Immigration History. Really any of his courses because he is an amazing professor and has superpowers that make you enjoy learning about all the depressing topics from the Gilded Age through Progressive Era.
Where did you live?: two years on campus in Conway and Baridon Hall & off campus at the Stonegate Apartments.
What groups did you belong to?: I am an alumna of Sigma Sigma Sigma National Sorority.
Did you participate in any experiences outside the classroom in your major field?: I participated in a ton of experiences outside the classroom through the UCA History Department. I attended the historical reenactment at Prairie Grove Battlefield State Park, visited the state archives, toured Old State House and Historic Arkansas Museums, visited Mt. Holly and Thomas Cemetery. I was also a judge for National History Day. It was a rewarding experience to see the passionate work of young historians in the making. I highly recommend participating if you get the chance!
I spent a summer in Washington D.C. at The Washington Center (TWC) for internships and academic seminars. At TWC I took the course “Scandalous Washington” where I got to learn in depth about scandals throughout U.S. history at the locations they took place. Of course, I was called out being from Arkansas when Bill Clinton’s incident was discussed. My class got to tour every museum in D.C. Tour and provide feedback for an upcoming exhibit at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Another class requirement was to interview an individual in a career you are interested in. I interviewed the superintendent of the U.S. National Mall and received a tour including the secret library under one of the National Mall memorials that the National Park Service interpreters use to research and create their interactive tours.
While in D.C. I worked for the World War One Centennial Commission (WW1CC) and it was the best experience in my collegiate career. The WW1CC had a small staff so the interns were responsible for the majority of the work that was being completed. Our focus was to create resources to commemorate the WW1 centennial and advocate for support for the restoration of Pershing Park with the end goal to develop it into the first National World War One memorial in Washington D.C.
I researched and recorded in depth each battle that took place and used that research to develop an on-line resource for educators. Including lessons based on each state’s unique frameworks. For my personal project, I developed a catalog of the veterans named in “Pershing’s 100” list while researching at the National Archives. I used that research to create a personalized fundraising initiative for each state that highlighted their renowned WW1 veteran. It truly was an amazing experience, and my intern class are still very close friends. We have been to each other’s weddings, gone on vacations, and are planning a reunion to reunite when the WW1CC memorial is completed.
What other experiences did you have that enriched your time as a student at UCA?: I completed a service-learning project for Thomas Cemetery by researching some of the cemeteries “residence” and creating a timeline of their life story. I chose a Union and Confederate soldier that were laid to rest beside each other. The research was used to develop a performance like Mt. Holly Cemetery “Tales from the Crypt” initiative.
My undergraduate research was very rewarding personally. It covered Slovakian Immigration into Arkansas which allowed me to delve into my family history on an academic level.
What did you plan to do with your degree?: I planned to use my degree to begin a career in public history. Specifically, to develop resources and programs beneficial to teachers and students. I was leaning towards state or national park interpreter.
How are you using your degree?: I am the Sales Specialist at Arkansas Tourism, a division of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism. My job is to sell Arkansas as an event destination to sporting event and meeting planners. I do get to work with Arkansas State Parks and National Parks Services on occasion.
What disciplinary skills do you use most often in your current job?: My position requires strong reading and writing skills, organization, and constant research to keep up with trends within the tourism industry. You might be wondering why I am building a career in tourism…. It’s because History is a major aspect of tourism! Working in tourism still gives me the opportunity to teach people about major historical events in Arkansas while getting to travel frequently. I have helped prepare itineraries that highlight Arkansas history for groups traveling into the state domestically and internationally. The most popular being the Civil Rights Trail.
What are your plans? What will your degree allow you to do/accomplish as you move forward?: My plans are to continue building a career in the tourism and hospitality industry. The skills I earned at UCA while attaining a history degree have carried me far. I have already gained my CTP, Certified Tour professional and STS, Sports Tourism Strategist certification and will earn my TMP, Travel marketing Professional certification in 2023. My history degree set the groundwork for a successful career and equipped me with the tools I need to keep moving forward.
What is the most surprising/unexpected thing you learned about yourself during your time as a BSE student at UCA?: I learned that I loved to travel and experience history instead of just learning about it. In fact, the first time I was on a plane was to go to my internship. I was 23. With my current job, I fly almost once a month.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get a BSE in history?: Participate in everything you can whether it be field trips, clubs, studying abroad, service-learning projects, or attending guest lectures. When the opportunity comes up for you to apply for an internship, DO IT! I had to create a go-fund-me account to support my internship but where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t be afraid to try something new or ask for help. A history degree will develop skills that all careers look for and utilize.
Cool thing’s I’ve done for work since graduating with a history degree: Meet President Barack Obama; Spent a week in Puerto Rico and hiked El Yunque National Forest (the only tropical rainforest in national forest system), toured San Cristobal Castle built in 1765-1785, toured Old San Juan who just celebrated their 500th year, walked the blue 18th century cobblestone (adoquines) streets
Private history tours at Lambeau, Heinz, and GEHA Field ; Attend lectures and Q&A sessions for Barack Obama, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Michael Phelps, Nicole Kidman, Sarah Thompson; Tour Pompeii: The Exhibition at Carnegie Science Center