Honors student Sabrina Massie (she/they) is passionate about making history accessible to all. With a major in public history, a French minor and a legal studies certificate, Massie is eager to pursue a career as a history professor or in the field of public history. They “love talking about history; conducting research; compiling sources, data and artifacts; and condensing it all into something comprehensible for everyone to understand.”

Massie discovered their passion for public history after enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. Initially unsure what direction to take, their career path took a turn when they discovered they could turn their love for history into their future profession. “Public history looks at how history is interpreted in public spaces. For example, museums, historic sites, TV shows, books, etc,” they explained. After taking classes in this field and connecting with other students in public history, Massie knew they had found the right major to follow their passion.

One of Massie's proudest accomplishments is the digital exhibit they created, based on their thesis project for HIST 380, taught by Dr. Cheryl Jiménez Frei, associate professor of history and co-director of the public history program. Their thesis examines how medical treatment and social rhetoric reflected gender norms in Wisconsin between 1860 and 1914, specifically focusing on women in insane asylums. “It’s a heavy topic, but really fascinating, and I think it reveals a lot about Wisconsin society at the time,” Massie notes. Frei was impressed by Massie's work and invited them to present it for the history department’s research event, which introduces freshmen and sophomores to research opportunities in the field.

Massie's Honors experience

Massie is grateful for the opportunities the UW-Eau Claire Honors Program has offered them, which includes broadening the range of course topics available. As a humanities major in history, they appreciate the variety in their coursework. “Sometimes I need a break from my history-heavy course schedule,” they said. “It’s nice to have options that are still working towards my degree plan but are different from the classes I typically take.”

One of their favorite courses, unique to the Honors curriculum, was the course A Queer Lens: Representation in Art, Photography, and Film, with Ellen Mahaffy, professor of communication and journalism. For the final project, Massie had the chance to create a painting, a passion they’ve had little time for since starting college. They explained, “Having dedicated class time to paint was a great experience.” The painting they created is hanging on their parents’ wall to this day.

Through their experience in the Honors Program, Massie has found it fascinating to hear what other people think and how they got to their conclusions. During discussions in Honors courses, they’ve been able to learn from “Honors students from other majors who have offered different perspectives.” 

Immersed in language and culture

Massie spent their spring 2023 semester studying abroad in Pau, France. They were eager for an “immersive experience” and that’s exactly what they got through this rigorous language program. Massie recalled, “With students from all over the world, our common language was French. This pushed me to develop my language skills, improve my French accent and correct my punctuation. I also learned a lot of French slang and gained a deeper understanding of French culture.”

The structure of Massie’s class schedule was one aspect of French life that pleasantly surprised them. In France, classes run from about 9 a.m. to 3 or 4 p.m., and about every hour the professor would call for a break, giving students time to grab a coffee and recharge. “We should definitely implement that here,” Massie said, reflecting on how these breaks helped their school-life balance.

Massie’s French literature course was another highlight of their study abroad experience. They found it interesting to read different French literature and analyze it. The professor was strict in maintaining an English-free zone in this classroom. This challenged Massie to find the right words to express themself in a language that wasn’t their first. “It helped push me to figure out how to say things when I didn’t know how to say them,” they shared. Their class had the opportunity to attend a live performance of a French play they had read and analyzed, which became a memorable moment for Massie.

Graduate school and beyond

After graduating from UW-Eau Claire, Massie plans to pursue a master’s degree and doctorate in public history. Sabrina believes their experience in the Honors Program has prepared them for their continued education: they are “more prepared to critically access or analyze a situation” and they see ways to “use my Honors experience to approach challenges with a different perspective than I normally would.”

As Massie continues their academic journey, they are excited about the potential to make a difference in their field, whether they eventually become a professor or work in a museum or archive. They explain, “public history works to translate history into a language that anyone can understand. It can be challenging to transition from academic language, but the reward of seeing people understand the material is so worth it.”

Written by Eve Quick, UW-Eau Claire student and University Honors Program intern.