Degree: BA History (religious studies minor)
When did you graduate? 2004.
What were some of the most rewarding/influential classes in your major? While taking American History with Mr. Martin, I realized the extent I enjoyed history and decided to make it my major. I took research methods with Dr. Lore, which exposed me to the “world of academia” in a way I never understood it before. I learned about the necessary researching components for any scholarly work respected by a discipline. I took several European history courses with Dr. Jones, who quickly became my favorite professor. I enjoyed his humor, and I was interested in the content/era of his courses. In addition, Dr. Don Jones took the time and effort to essentially tutor me by critiquing the papers I submitted; thus he drastically improved my writing skills. I credit much of my success in undergraduate and graduate school to him. During my last semester (Fall 2004), I took Women in American History with Dr. Lucas Castro; her enthusiasm for the content was engaging and contagious.
Where did you live? Conway Hall (freshmen year). Then I lived in off-campus apartments.
What groups did you belong to? Phi Alpha Theta
Did you participate in any experiences outside the classroom in your major field? I took Survey of English History with Dr. Fritze and Dr. Corcoran, which included staying in London, England for two weeks.
What other experiences did you have that enriched your time as a student at UCA? I was in the UCA band freshman year.
What did you plan to do with your degree? Plan? I did not have a “plan” necessarily. I was open to a variety of career paths, such as teaching public school, teaching at the collegiate level, working at a museum, or pursing other fields/disciplines once I earned a degree.
How are you using your degree? Once graduating, I initially used my degree while working at the Historic Arkansas Museum. I worked there while pursing my initial teaching certification. While teaching, I routinely used my history degree. While teaching, I pursed specialist areas within the realm of education. At UCA (2009), I completed an MSE (Master of Science in Education) with an emphasis in special education. In 2011, I completed a graduate program for Teaching Students with Visual Impairments. In 2014, I completed a graduate certification program in Orientation and Mobility for the Blind. I now work in the public school system as a Facilitator for the Blind and Visually Impaired.
What disciplinary skills do you use most often in your current job? In my opinion, many people do not realize the extensive researching and writing skills that one learns in a history program, in comparison to other disciplines. I have been well received in my current field partly due to my writing skills, which I frequently use in extensive report writing.
While pursing graduate programs in other disciplines, numerous professors were very complimentary of my writing and research skills; I promise I did not have those prior to studying history.
What are your plans? What will your degree allow you to do/accomplish as you move forward? As I move forward, I plan to become very involved in professional organizations as they relate to the vision field. Ideally, I will use my researching and writing skills for future scholarly pursuits/publications.
What is the most surprising/unexpected thing you learned about yourself during your time as a BA student at UCA? I learned I love history.
What advice would you give someone who wants to get a BA in history? Pursue a field in which you are passionate and excited to know more about; you will learn and grow the most from those experiences.