Researching Native boarding-school history, Milwaukee institutions, and public memory through archival and digital methods.
About
Introduction
I am a computer scientist and public historian whose work combines software development, historical research, public interpretation, and community engagement. I am interested in how people understand complex systems, whether those systems are software platforms, historical institutions, or the communities they serve.
My professional background is in software development, where I design, build, and maintain systems that help organizations solve problems and make informed decisions. Alongside this work, I pursue public-history projects that involve archival research, preservation, public memory, and historical interpretation.
Across both fields, I am guided by the belief that knowledge should be useful, accessible, and connected to the needs of real communities.
Public History
My involvement in public history began with local historic preservation efforts and has expanded into archival research, public interpretation, and community-engaged history. I am particularly interested in public memory, institutional history, and the ways historical knowledge can support contemporary communities.
I previously served as a board member and treasurer of the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc., contributing to organizational development, website creation, GIS mapping, and public outreach. Through this work I gained experience in preservation advocacy, cemetery documentation, genealogical research, nonprofit governance, and community engagement.
I have also participated in Doors Open Milwaukee as a docent at St. George Melkite–Greek Catholic Church, interpreting the building's architecture, history, and continuing role as a living faith community. This work has strengthened my ability to connect historical research with public audiences and to communicate complex historical topics in accessible ways.
I am currently pursuing graduate study in public history at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. My ongoing research focuses on the history of Native girls associated with Milwaukee's House of the Good Shepherd during the late nineteenth century, with particular attention to historical memory, institutional history, and community interpretation.
Research on Milwaukee's House of the Good Shepherd has been cited in regional and national media coverage examining the history of the institution and its students.s
Software Development Experience
My software-development experience spans the full development life cycle, from understanding business requirements to designing, implementing, testing, and maintaining production systems. I focus on selecting practical technical solutions that address real organizational needs.
I have contributed to projects involving industrial control systems, compliance monitoring, insurance platforms, and cloud-based applications. My work includes software design, quality assurance, automation, cloud infrastructure, DevOps practices, and process improvement.
Across projects, I emphasize reliability, maintainability, and clear communication. I work closely with technical and non-technical stakeholders to ensure that systems remain useful, understandable, and responsive to changing needs.
Education
- MA, History (in progress)
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee - MSc, Computer Science
University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee - BSc, Computer Science
St. Norbert College, De Pere, Wisconsin
Minors: Philosophy and Religious Studies
Professional Affiliations
- Association for Computing Machinery
- Society for American Archaeology