Thomas Todd
Ohio University alum Thomas Todd ’09 began a full-time position at the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate this past fall. The Kennedy Institute is an organization dedicated to educating the public about the Senate and encouraging participatory democracy through interactive exhibits and programs.
Todd earned a B.A. in History from the College of Arts & Sciences at Ohio University.
Todd’s role as Exhibit Floor Coordinator involves overseeing the day-to-day operations of the exhibits area. In that capacity, he trains volunteers and interns for effective exhibit interpretation, supervises staff in their engagement with visitors, and ensures that all the exhibits are properly maintained and operational.
Since graduating in 2009, Todd has worked at a number of museums in various roles. His post-college professional trajectory began as a volunteer at a National Park in Ohio for President Garfield, at which he was eventually hired. After that, he worked at two additional National Parks followed by a handful of non-governmental museums (including an arboretum). It was subsequent to these experience that he joined the Kennedy Institute.
Reflecting Back on the OHIO Experience
Asked about his time in the History Department, Todd says, “Some of the greatest skills I picked up were the intangibles: advice from History Department faculty really helped boost my confidence, my public speaking skills, and my analytical skills. All have been vital to any and every success I’ve had in my career. This is in addition to all the hard facts and knowledge that came with the above, which only added fuel to the fire in terms of how much I loved history to begin with.”
“There are so many” department faculty members that stand out that “anything I could say is by no means an exhaustive list.”
Dr. Mariana Dantas, Associate Professor of History, in particular, was “very much a mentor to me, both in class (especially with the junior year research paper) and with advice as well.” Her Latin American history courses “fascinated” him.
In addition, he remembers Dr. Michele Clouse and Dr. Miriam Shadis, both Associate Professors of History, as very much mentors as well. In addition, “Dr. Brian Schoen’s classes (and sense of enthusiasm and humor) were always a favorite of mine. He gave me a lot of advice about research and careers.”
“There really are too many fond memories of professors and interesting classes that it’s hard to summarize them all, not to mention do the above faculty full justice for how truly amazing they were,” he concludes.
For more information on the History Department, its academic programs, course offerings, and faculty, please visit the History Department website.
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