As a full-time digital historian, I opened my business called 70 Degrees in order to help institutions build and provide public access to their archives. Part of my portfolio is digitizing records for the Moulton Family Foundation which represents the former Rancho Niguel. This OC ranch was nearly 22,000 acres owned by Lewis F. Moulton. The CSUF practicum coursework taught me to write interpretive plans, archive collections, curate exhibitions, and review historic site nominations such as the Aliso Viejo Ranch project. I am also collaborating with UCI Chicano Studies professors and the Korean Consulate of Los Angeles to curate their communities’ history.

During my graduate studies at CSUF, I had the amazing opportunity to receive training from the Lawrence de Graaf Center for Oral and Public History and received an award from the namesake. I became passionate about preserving the spoken word and was invited to present my research at an Oral History Association conference with my colleagues. In 2015 I joined the Southwest Oral History Association board. In 2016, we held a joint conference with OHA to commemorate their 50th anniversary and our 35th anniversary. I was asked to be a part of the local arrangements committee. I became SOHA’s 1st VP and had the opportunity to chair the 2018 conference in Fullerton in partnership with COPH. Dr. Granata, my master project mentor, and I had the opportunity to plan this event together. As SOHA is preparing for it’s joint #SOHAatOHA2019 conference in Salt Lake City, I am reflecting on my journey to being nominated organization president. I am working with OHA President, Dr. Natalie Fousekis and her team to make this conference successful. We hope you will join us October 16-19th, 2019.

I encourage you to join Phi Alpha Theta to expand your network. Also, take courses in business and museum studies in order to expand your CV skill sets. You can volunteer to help organize lectures, symposiums, and events such as the upcoming 50th anniversary for COPH. I did this during my studies which connected me to consulates and folklore specialists. I know that this experience in public history is just beginning and I can’t wait to collaborate with you as you enter the exciting field of history!