Museum Studies Alumni

Melissa Bauer

After graduating in 2020, my career led me to St. Louis County Library, where I am the Assistant Manager of Adult Services. My department coordinates and plans about 70 programs per month with community partners, which are presented at all 20 SLCL branches. UMSL was an easy choice for me, as the coursework could accommodate my schedule as I continued to work in the gallery, library, archive, and museum field full time. The Museums, Heritage, and Public History program allowed me to earn the education I needed to advance my career, and put me in contact with many colleagues with whom I continue to work closely.

Alex Elmstead

I graduated in 2013 and I now work at Clayton Community Foundation. I chose UMSLs program, because of theory to practice. Placement into the field and/or museum. Learning theory in class, practicing the theory and learning in the field daily. The apprentice model was very appealing, because it focused on skills, but also integrating students into the careers they sought... and building relationships and networks with colleagues, staff, and professionals in the process. Biggest takeaway. The assistantship. Again, because it provided skill refinement, but also the opportunity to explore and learn on the job. While putting the theory into practice. This allowed me to integrate into the museum field securing full time employment afterward.

Tori Fenemor

Jim Gass

Sophie Grus

I graduated in spring 2018. I am the curator of exhibits for the Missouri State Museum in Jefferson City, Missouri. I chose UMSL because it had a good reputation overall and mores specifically for its museum studies program. It also offered both in-class and practical experience for its students. I knew I wanted a program that could prepare me to hit the ground running after graduation, and UMSL’s ability to offer that hands-on experience really sold it for me.

My biggest take away from the program was the importance of collaboration and communication with your team. No matter what project I was working on (exhibits, content development, collections work) my teammates added more creativity, stronger ideas, and different skillsets that made the overall work better. I find that collaborating in museums is so important and always creates stronger and more inclusive results than working solo.

Alyssa Vargas-Lopez

"I think I am most interested in the public history aspect of this degree. Coming into this program, I had little experience working in historical settings, and I honestly did not consider myself a historian. I chose this program specifically since it did have a historical emphasis and would allow me to build those skills. My passion for public history stems from the idea that it can be used to empower people. The most effective examples of public history make an impact, and that is something I aspire to do in my work. I have an internship at the Missouri Historical Society, where I collaborate with their K-12 team to create programming focusing on Native American History. In 8 years, I see myself on a team that focuses on creating exhibits about Mexican American/Native American history. I also have an assistantship at the National Blues Museum. In my spare time, I try to be creative. As of right now, my creative outlets include graphic design, t-shirt making on the Cricut, and Indigenous beading."

My name is Matt Oehring, and I recently graduated with my Masters in History with a focus in Museum Studies and Public History back in August, I postponed my graduation for the Summer to go on the Ikliana Archeological Field School trip in Greece. My exit project was researching, designing, writing, and giving a city bus tour of various sites in St. Louis, and how they made our city a perfect example of how quickly the public perception of death and the practices surrounding it changed rapidly in the mid 19th century, all done in partnership with the Missouri History Museum. After returning from Greece in July, I've been working full time as a contractor with Golden Arrow Research, a private military genealogical research company that focuses on locating, retrieving, and interpreting the historical documents of U.S. soldiers from World War I, II, and as early as the late 19th century from the National Public Record Center located in Spanish Lake. It's been an exciting, fulfilling job, and I've never been more satisfied in the kind of work I do.

I am originally from Shiloh, Illinois and I now live in St. Louis in order to be close to work. While at UMSL I studied history, but more specifically I was in the Museum Studies program. I was able to receive an assistantship working at the St. Louis Mercantile Library and I worked there three days a week. I was also blessed to receive an internship at the Campbell House Museum during the summer, and while there, I updated their storage room finding aid and took part in an inventory of the house while also giving tours when needed. It was in December of that year that I was hired by the Campbell House Museum as Assistant Director, so Dr. Kelland helped me to terminate my contract with the Mercantile Library so I could start working at the Campbell House in January, which I am most grateful for.

I work at Wilson's Creek National Battlefield in Republic, MO. I chose UMSL because it was affordable, both the tuition and the cost of living

I was further attracted to UMSL's Museum studies degree because it partnered with a History department. Many programs I looked into partnered with Art, archaeology, or even geology departments. I knew I wanted to work at a history museum/ historical site so UMSL made the most sense to me. My biggest take away from the program was that the museum field is in need of modernization. It is not accessible to many, and many do not feel welcome in a museum. I came out of the program with a firm belief that no matter where I end up in my career I want to ensure that museums and historic sites don't belong in solely the hands of the academics. They are for everyone, and we need to make that a reality.

I’m currently a Soldiers Memorial Visitor Experience Navigator at the Missouri Historical Society.

UMSL was close to home and affordable which made the decision easy for me. For me, the program affirmed that working in museums is where I belong. My classes were deeply engaging and fulfilling. Talking with my classmates about museums, our thoughts on readings, and our experiences were the most enjoyable conversations I’ve ever had. The things I learned deepened my understanding of history. If a career field makes you feel that way, that’s something you cannot ignore. That feeling is a sign that it’s the right field for you.