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Student comments
The primary factor that led me to UNLV for history graduate studies was the caliber of the faculty specializing in the history of the American West. From their publication records, I knew that they were active scholars and valued contributors in the field, but once I arrived and began classes, I came to understand that they were also exceptionally talented and enthusiastic teachers. Each fosters outstanding classroom discussions and offers ideas and resources for avenues of research. Under their tutelage, my research and analytical skills have grown, and I know that when I leave here, I'll not only be well grounded in historical canon but will also be able to formulate and defend my own progressive ideas and contributions to the field. (Megan Weatherly, MA student)
Anyone who considers obtaining a graduate degree would benefit from an education at UNLV. The history program here is small enough to provide one-on-one interactions with professors and other students, yet large enough to provide a diverse environment that meets a variety of needs, interests, and fields of research. I chose to attend UNLV’s history program because of the talented professors, available document collections, and the appeal of such a diverse program. (Rachel Rinn, MA student)
The UNLV History Department’s burgeoning physical environment parallels its intellectual activity. As the campus continues to progress into the future, the History Department does so as an established community with excellent scholarship and potential. As an M.A. student, one has the opportunity to create, grow, and develop alongside a vibrant and dynamic culture. Invent the future so they say… (Chris Manning, MA student)
Coming from a much larger college where I chose to do my undergraduate work, it was refreshing to find myself in an environment where my professors knew me by name and I felt a sense of camaraderie with my fellow colleagues rather than competition. Anyone looking for an environment that fosters both high academic pursuits as well as positive personal contacts would be well-served at UNLV. The faculty as well as the administration make themselves highly accessible to the student, a fact not lost on me and one that shouldn’t be lost on prospective students. I would encourage anyone interested in academic excellence paired with a more intimate learning environment to take a serious look at UNLV. (Matt Davis, MA student)
The Master’s program in History at UNLV has many advantages. Although my interests reside in late nineteenth century American cultural and intellectual history, the History Department has a wealth of resources to provide me with a comprehensive overview of just about any area in U.S. History. Without a doubt, the greatest resource of the Department is its professors, who seek to fashion both a communal and personal atmosphere for their students. (Colin FitzGerald, MA student)
For those interested in furthering their education beyond the baccalaureate degree, the UNLV History Department offers a wide variety of fields of study. Students may pursue a Masters or Ph.D. degree on a full-time or part-time basis. Recognizing the needs of those students who maintain full-time employment, the department schedules many course offerings during the evening hours. This flexibility allows these students the ability to earn a terminal degree while studying under a well-respected, diverse and supportive faculty who take a keen interest in their students’ success while providing individualized attention. (Mindy Oesterman, Ph.D. student)
My decision to come to UNLV was based on three factors: course offerings in my areas of interest in the American West and Public History, the size of the department, and most importantly, the professors in the department. I’ve been at UNLV for a little over two years now, and I haven’t regretted a single day. I’ve taken a variety of classes that have both given me a broad knowledge of the field and taken me into completely new and exciting directions. Through my Public History minor I have been able to participate in some major projects that have enhanced my experience and my CV in ways I would have never thought possible. Because the department is fairly small, students and professors all know each other and there’s a very friendly and collegial atmosphere. I’ve had professors that I have never worked with come to my office and offer advice on my research topics. My advisor could not be any more intellectually demanding, personally caring, and generally concerned with the progress and well-being of his students. He truly sees all students as his colleagues and treats us accordingly. The students also help each other out; instead of being competitive and jealous of each other, we share papers, advice, and snacks. If you’re looking for a department that offers fantastic scholars, great classes and the opportunity to participate in Public History projects, a personal and friendly atmosphere, and a view of the Las Vegas strip I can only recommend the history department at UNLV!
(Julia Stetler, Ph.D. student)
The UNLV doctoral program offers a remarkable synergy between environmental, American West, and Public history. UNLV’s PhD program allowed me access to not only top rate scholars in my field, but also access to working on projects in places such as Yosemite National Park Point Reyes National Seashore, and the Colorado Ski and Snowboard History and Hall of Fame. In each case I was able to blend the value skills learned in the seminar room with practical hands on experience. My experience in both the seminar room and in the field allowed me to blend my interests in all three fields. I entered the UNLV PhD program with a strong interest in American West environmental history. Once enrolled in the program I discovered the field of public history, saw the opportunity to bring my academic interests to a wider audience through public outreach in the areas of museum work, oral history, and National Park Service projects.
In 2005, I became the Yosemite National Park Administrative Project Manager. Over the next three years I managed groups of fellow graduate students in researching and constructing an administrative history for on of the most iconic National Parks in the United States. Through my experience I not only expanded my research and writing skills as an academically trained historian, but also learned valuable management, budgetary, and team-leading skills that are often overlooked in graduate training. I feel that my experience in the UNLV PhD program has opened the door to numerous future opportunities that will blend my interests in the American West, the environment, and public discourse. (Mike Childers, Ph.D. student)
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas, offered me exceptional graduate training in forums which utilized both academic and public history methodologies. From 2005 to 2008, I worked on the Nevada Test Site Oral History Project, a collaborative research project conducted by the Departments of History and Sociology. My primary responsibilities as assistant director of the project for three of its five years included shepherding the nearly 200 interviews through their editing stages and tracking them through a corresponding database; managing interviewee files including legal documents, personal data, and other items contributed to the oral histories; participating in project procedure creation; printing and assembling the physical archive in UNLV’s Lied Library; and assisting in the digitization and web design process which made the archive available online.
Through the project I trained as an oral historian, conducting several interviews that have provided the basis for my dissertation. In addition, during the summer of 2009, the Autry National Center Museum of the American West awarded me a graduate fellowship. I attended and participated in museum meetings which addressed intellectual and logistical issues within the institution and developed a greater understanding of how museums function. The highpoint of my museum training occurred when the curatorial staff offered me a chance to create a small exhibit celebrating Gene Autry’s birthday in September. The exhibit features Gene Autry’s contribution to rodeo sport and celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of the National Finals Rodeo. The highlight of the exhibit is a set of fluorescent rodeo performers’ shirts and the blue print for Autry’s black light show at the rodeo in 1942. The experience of creating an exhibit from start to finish and participating in every level of the process gave me essential hands-on experience and an appreciation of the importance of material culture in historical research, providing the capstone to my museum training. Through this experience, I developed the basis for a long-term relationship with the Autry and opened the door to work on future projects. (Leisl Carr Childers, Ph.D. student)
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