PROFILE
Experienced in teaching, public speaking, researching, and developing a wide variety of programming. Able to organize and manage large-scale projects with conscientious focus on details. Experienced with online engagement including blog development, webinars, and podcasting. Dedicated to helping people of all ages to explore their world and advocate for themselves and others.
EDUCATION
Doctorate of Philosophy in History, Central Michigan University, Dec. 2017
Dissertation: Aftermath of Genocide: The World Jewish Congress and the Fight for Human Rights
Master of Arts in History, Central Michigan University, May 2016
Thesis: Beyond the Rhetoric of Pluralism: The American Jewish Experience in the Early Cold War
Master of Science in Historical Studies, with distinction, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, Scotland, Nov. 2015
Thesis: “We Must Work for the Living”: The Role and Effectiveness of Jewish NGOs Following WWII
Bachelor of Arts in Art History and Graphic Design, magna cum laude, Indiana State University, May 2000
EXPERIENCE
Outreach Coordinator, Castle Museum of Saginaw County History; Saginaw, MI – present
Responsible for community engagement, including programming, on and offsite interactions, and collaborations as we seek to share Saginaw County’s story and demonstrate our history’s continued relevance.
Adjunct Professor, Grand Valley State University; Grand Rapids, MI – Aug 2021- Dec 2021
Taught courses on historical perspectives for non-majors. Rooted in US History, the course examined what history is, how historians do their work, and concepts and methods. Used an Unessay Project to teach research methods and presentation.
Speaker-Facilitator, DEI Advocate; Midland, MI – 2017-present
Developed and led community presentations and workshops covering a variety of historical and current issues in the US, including women’s history, race and civil rights, voting rights, and LGBTQ rights, using a variety of history sources, current essayists, music and art. Provided programs for schools, nonprofits, corporations, clubs, and churches.
Exhibit Curator, Midland Center for the Arts; Midland, MI – 2019-2020
Collaboratively conceptualized, planned, researched, and installed women’s history exhibit, 20/20 Vision: Seeing HerStory for the historical society and Center for the Arts, which opened January 2020. The exhibit highlighted local women, past and present, while examining the past hundred years of women’s contributions to the United States.
Editor of [Re]collection, Central Michigan University; Mt. Pleasant, MI – 2017-2018
Created blog for the Department of History to foster and online community to engage current students, faculty, alumni, and friends of the department. Responsible for soliciting posts, editing for style and content, and maintaining news and updates. Cross-posted with social media to boost audience and SEO.
Instructor, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI – Fall 2016
Fall semester instructor of record for US History Since 1945. Developed upper division course with a focus on the political, social, and cultural changes in the US from the end of WWII to present day. Utilized a variety of media to engage students.
Graduate Teaching Assistant, Central Michigan University, Mt. Pleasant, MI – 2012-2016
Led discussion sections for various history courses including US History, Michigan History, History of Rock and Roll, and East Asia. Experience using game-based learning pedagogies. Responsible for engaging students with primary source materials, grading, and also delivered multiple guest lectures.
Youth Director, St. Petri Lutheran Church, Story City, IA – 2005-2008
Provided inclusive environment through programming and education for elementary, middle, and high school youth. Developed and taught Sunday school classes. Planned activities, service projects, retreats, and travel. Fostered network of youth directors citywide for collaborative events and projects. Responsible for budgeting.
Librarian, Thomas Jefferson Independent Day School, Joplin, MO – 2002-2004
Responsible for school library including circulation and maintenance of collection and budgeting. Increased representation. Held weekly meetings with each grade, preschool through fifth, for building library and literacy skills. Assisted middle and high school students with research projects. Aided teachers in securing resources.
Art Instructor, Hayden Recreation Centre, Lexington, MA – 2000-2002
Developed and taught art classes and camps for preschool through middle school, including pottery, painting, drawing, art history, stained glass, and general arts and crafts. Responsible for budgeting and ordering supplies.
AWARDS
2020 Humanities Distinguished Scholar Award, The Humanities Learning Center at Delta College
2018 Outstanding Dissertation Award, Central Michigan University
2016 The Bernard and Audre Rapoport Research Fellowship, Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
2015 Best Postgraduate Paper Prize, Scottish Association for the Study of America
2013 International Graduate Historical Studies Conference Paper Prize, Central Michigan University
SELECTED PRESENTATIONS
2019 “Michigan Rising: Long, Hot Summer in the Small City,” Midwest History Conference, Grand Valley State University
2017 “Aftermath of Genocide,” American Jewish History and the World: Third Biennial Graduate Student Workshop, Skirball Center for Hebrew & Judaic Studies, New York University
2016 “Aftermath of Genocide: The World Jewish Congress and the Fight for Human Rights,” Fellowship Seminar, Jacob Rader Marcus Center of the American Jewish Archives
2015 “Uneasy Pluralism: Anti-Communism and Anti-Semitism in the U.S., 1947-1962,” British Association of American Studies Conference, University of Northumbria, Invited presenter for the Historians of the Twentieth Century U.S. Association panel, Religion and Identity in the 20th Century
RECENT DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION CONTINUING EDUCATION
Certification in “Gender and Sexuality: Diversity and Inclusion in the Workplace,” University of Pittsburg, May 2021
Conflict De-escalation Training, hollaback and Asian/Americans Advancing Justice, April 21, 2021
Bystander Intervention, Asian/Americans Advancing Justice/CAIR/hollaback, April 2021
Implicit Bias Workshop, Michigan Department of Civil Rights, Nov. 2020
Confronting our Biases: Thriving Across Differences, Verna Myers via LinkedIn, Nov. 2020
MEMBER ORGANIZATIONS
American Historical Society, member
Cultural Awareness Coalition, Leadership team
Anti-Racist Midland Community Organization, liaison for CAC
and Oral History Project Manager
Midland Public Schools Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Advisory Committee
Midland Area Community Foundation, scholarship review committees
Midland County Historical Society Advisory Committee, Education/Outreach Chair(2019)
Jennifer Vannette 