Alumni and Careers

What have you been up to since graduating from Bowdoin?

Since graduating from Bowdoin, I spent a year as a Fulbright English teaching assistant in Jerusalem and then earned my MA in Art History at University of Texas at Austin, where I began learning Russian. After UT, I studied Russian on a Critical Language Scholarship in Tbilisi, Georgia, and now work as the Linde Family Foundation Educator for College Audiences at the Colby College Museum of Art (yes, back in Maine!).

Why history?

I find the story of the human past endlessly intriguing and surprising. I appreciated how my Bowdoin history coursework emphasized the importance of writing well, reading texts critically, and approaching anything I did not understand with a sense of curiosity.

What have you been up to since graduating from Bowdoin?

After graduating from Bowdoin, I spent a year outside of the world of academia traveling, working, and completing a yoga teacher training course before beginning a PhD program in environmental history at Georgetown University. I received my PhD in 2025 and am now an assistant professor of environmental history at Elon University, a liberal arts college in North Carolina. I teach classes on the history of climate change, gender, and human relationships with the natural world, and I write for academic and public audiences about these topics, as well.

Why history?

At Bowdoin, I was fortunate to take courses in history and environmental studies that introduced me to the excitement of conducting research and historiographical analysis, especially at the intersection of disciplines. These courses, particularly Introduction to Environmental Studies with Associate Professor of History and Environmental Studies Matthew Klingle, Culture Wars in the Enlightenment with Associate Professor of History Meghan Roberts, and Environmental History of East Asia with Associate Professor of History and Asian Studies Sakura Christmas, made me excited to pursue a coordinate major in history and environmental studies that culminated in an honors project which formed the basis of my doctoral research. The historical background of everything from my home state of Maine to the environmental changes which are the most pressing issue of our time fascinated me in college and continues to fascinate me now.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

The opportunity to conduct an honors project, advised by Professor Roberts, gave me the experience of doing archival research in the UK and spending focused time writing, researching, and workshopping my project. That experience was crucial for my development as a scholar and helped me confirm my passion for academic research. 

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

For current students, I would recommend taking courses across a wide range of disciplines during your time at Bowdoin and building strong relationships with faculty members whose courses fascinate you. The opportunity to conduct research on campus or elsewhere, or to conduct an independent study or honors project, will help you identify how much you like the academic process of creating and sharing knowledge and how you can best harness that skill. If you’re interested in a master’s degree or PhD, I really strongly recommend taking time off after college to do something other than school for at least a year. That experience will serve you well no matter what interests you end up pursuing after college.

What have you been up to since graduating Bowdoin?

Since graduating from Bowdoin, I have been teaching high school social studies. I currently teach 9th grade at Casco Bay High School in Portland, Maine.

Why history?

I find it fascinating to explore how the past informs the present and how we can learn from history to create a better future. I’m particularly interested in unpacking how different historical topics and eras—though they may seem distinct at first—connect and intersect. I’ve loved sharing this passion with students and helping them explore these connections so they can better understand how the world came to be the way it is today, as well as the many ways they can take action to shape it into the place they want it to be. My learning as a history major has directly influenced my path. I regularly apply both the content and skills I gained in my courses to my work with students.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

I had such positive experiences in my classes that it is hard to pick just one. I feel particularly grateful to my education professors—Doris Santoro (former professor of education), Chuck Dorn, Katie Byrnes, Nancy Jennings, and Ken Templeton (former professor)—for their immense support and guidance both throughout my time at Bowdoin and in my years in the high school classroom. I am also thankful to my advisor, Professor of History Dallas Denery, for his wisdom and advice as I navigated the history major. His European history seminar allowed me to expand my skills as a historical researcher, writer, and critical thinker and I regularly think about skills he taught me as I try to better my teaching of history. I also have a great appreciation for Frank A. Munsey Professor of History Page Herrlinger. I was lucky enough to not only learn from Professor Herrlinger as a student at Bowdoin in her class about Germany in the interwar years, but also to return to Bowdoin as a teacher a couple of years ago to engage in her NEH seminar (co-taught with Natasha Goldman, former Bowdoin professor of art history) about teaching the history of the Holocaust through visual culture. Her approach to using a range of primary source types has inspired me to try to expose students to various source material and to support them in drawing historical conclusions based on close analysis. Finally, I would like to thank Geoffrey Canada Associate Professor of Africana Studies Judith Casselberry, whose Protest Music class completely changed the way I think about how historical studies can intersect with the arts—an approach that I have tried to bring into my own work in the classroom.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field? 

I would encourage anyone interested in education to consider entering the teaching profession. For those pursuing teaching, I’d urge them to believe deeply in the potential of young people and to not be afraid to share their passions in the classroom. Students are inspired by genuine enthusiasm, and bringing your whole self to the work can make a lasting difference.

What have you been up to since graduating from Bowdoin?

All kinds of things! Most recently, I was proud to earn my master of arts in historic preservation from Goucher College, a program I loved working my way through bit by bit over several years. Being a student again was a true gift each semester, but the highlight was definitely a study-abroad course in Nepal, where I had the opportunity to explore historic preservation in a completely different environment and culture. My thesis examined the preservation of Maine’s historic grange halls through an equity lens, arguing for the members of active-use granges to have greater access to preservation resources to help ensure the ongoing care of their culturally and historically significant buildings.

I’ve always been particularly passionate about public and local history, so my current role as executive director of the Lincoln County Historical Association is the perfect fit for me. I get to develop and promote history programs on a wide range of topics while also working for the ongoing preservation of three National Register–listed buildings in Lincoln County, Maine: the 1754 Chapman-Hall House, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House, and the 1811 Old Jail with its attached 1839 Jailer’s House. Each of these places has an incredible story to tell as it helps us interpret local history, and we’re constantly working to uncover fuller narratives that deepen our understanding of the past.

I love my job, and every day I feel fortunate to be working in the field I’m passionate about. I get to support the stewardship of historic places while encouraging a broader appreciation for local history in our communities. Many of our programs are very popular, and it’s always rewarding to see a big turnout of people interested in learning more about our past.

Why history?

I remember agonizing over what to declare as a major, despite what now feels obvious in hindsight: I’ve always been captivated by the past and by drawing connections between history and the present. As a kid, I volunteered at my local historical society after tagging along with a neighbor, and I always felt at home among the historic objects there. Even before I declared a major, I found myself taking all kinds of history courses just for fun. When it finally dawned on me that I should major in history, everything clicked. I truly believe that a deeper understanding of the past helps us make better sense of our lives and the world around us. Placing ourselves in the context of time offers an important perspective on the experiences we are having and the issues we face today. In my view, the world would be a better place if everyone had a healthy appreciation for historical knowledge and inquiry.

Are there any classes, professors, or experiences that had a lasting impact on you?

I just loved being a student, and I remember most of my classes fondly. In the history department, Dan Levine particularly taught me to question what I thought I knew of the past, Susan Tananbaum introduced me to new perspectives, and Patrick Rael challenged me to think more deeply. I also took classes in a wide variety of other Bowdoin departments, and I’m glad I took full advantage of the opportunities offered by a liberal arts education.

What advice would you give to current students or recent graduates interested in your field?

Don’t underestimate how rewarding it can be to work at a small history nonprofit. It’s incredibly fulfilling to support a mission you truly believe in, especially at the community level. There’s something really special about seeing the direct impact of your work and knowing you’re helping to preserve and share the objects, places, and stories that have shaped where we are today!

What have you been up to since graduating Bowdoin?

I went into management consulting after graduation, then I went to business school for my MBA, and since then I've been in the tech industry as a product manager at a variety of companies over the years. I also do a lot of volunteer work for political campaigns and host a podcast about technology product management and another about American politics. I've lived in Boston, Seattle, Zurich, and now San Francisco Bay Area where I live with my wife and two sons (12 and 14).

Why history?

I found my interests were very cross-disciplinary and understanding the history of something required and valued those varied interests (e.g., economics, sociology, government, anthropology, etc.). I also liked the idea that history as a discipline is one of the oldest liberal arts departments so there was this nice sense of longevity to it. I think it's in some ways one of the original interdisciplinary departments but TBH I think the major is less important than the classes you take and professors and classmates with whom you learn. Ultimately, we end up working for organizations that value people who can learn, communicate, and solve problems. Learning history at a place like Bowdoin was a truly unique privilege and formative phase in my life given the small size, access to professors, and collaborative culture of the College.