GS:      Where are you from? 

HG:     Fultondale, AL.

GS:      What degree will you receive and when?

HG:     I completed my B.A. in History spring of 2007 and will complete my M.A. this December.

GS:      How long have you been at UAB?

HG:     7 years.

GS:      What is your research? 

HG:     American History with an emphasis on Southern History.

GS:      What made you choose UAB for your graduate studies?

HG:     Since I worked on my B.A. here, I already had really good relationships with my professors. I think the professors here a phenomenal, so I decided to continue working with them in the graduate program.

GS:      Have you received any awards or honors?

HG:     I am a member of Phi Alpha Theta and graduated Cum Laude in 2007. I will have a paper and book review published in this year’s Vulcan Historical Review and I have had the honor to present my original research at the Alabama Association of Historians and the Alabama Academy of Sciences meetings. I was also awarded a scholarship to attend the Southeastern Museums Conference in 2008.

GS:      What has been your most rewarding experience at UAB?

HG:     Gaining relationships with the professors. They truly have a desire for each and every student to succeed. They are not only history teachers, but also life coaches. 

GS:      Who was your greatest influence here at UAB and why?

HG:     Dr. George Liber for helping me to realize I needed to take my education farther, Dr. Raymond Mohl and Dr. Harriet Amos Doss for helping me see the joy I would have to teach (because you can tell they love to teach so much), and Professors Pam King and Karen Utz for helping me see how much I could do with a degree in history.

GS:      What is your motivation in your academics/research?

HG:     I simply have the strongest desire to learn everything I can. My love for history combined with the desire to learn has been my motivation all along. Over time, I’ve also developed the desire to relay all the knowledge I can gain to others.

GS:      What are your plans after graduating and for the future?

HG:     I plan to enter a Ph.D program. I want to teach at the college level or either work in a museum setting.

GS:      Is there anything else you would like to say?

HG:     I would like to point out that graduate school is only as good as you make it. Although it can be a daunting task, people should enjoy their grad school experience. If the other graduate programs are like the history department, the possibilities are endless and you always have someone to extend a helping hand.

Heather’s advice for other graduate students:

Don’t get overwhelmed! Take one day at a time and develop good time management skills for sure. Always, always, always ask questions and get to know your professors.