Past Matters Summer 2024; posted on 6/7/2024
Join us in welcoming the 2024 cohort of Preservation Scholars! This outstanding group of students wowed us in their applications and interviews. The range of perspectives, academic programs, and lived experience they bring to their passion for historic preservation is nothing short of inspiring. We can’t wait to see what they will accomplish in their 10-week long internships with the Texas Historical Commission. Without further ado, we are thrilled to announce this year’s cohort:
Jennifer Campbell is a graduate student in History at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Jennifer will be working with Nano Calderon in the History Programs Division on the “County Historical Commission Efforts to Document Historic Structures” project for the first five weeks of her internship. For her second five weeks, she’ll be working with Brad Jones in the Archeology Division as the Archeology Programs Intern.
Isabella Estrada is an undergraduate studying Race, Indigeneity, and Migration at the University of Texas at Austin. Isabella will be working with Sarah Page in the Community Heritage Development Division on the “Digital Storytelling: Undertold History for Travelers” project for the first five weeks of her internship. For her second five weeks, she’ll be working with Susan Tietz and Mallory Miller in the Architecture Division on the “Festivals and Events on Historic Courthouse Squares” project.
Arian Perez is an undergraduate studying Anthropology at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Arian is one of two distinguished recipients of the Larry Oaks Preservation Scholars title, an honor reserved for the top scoring candidate at the undergraduate and graduate level. Arian will be working with Brad Jones in the Archeology Division as the Archeology Programs Intern.
Gavin Porter is a graduate student in Public Administration at the University of Texas at Austin. Gavin will be working with Leslie Wolfenden in the History Programs Division on the “African American Travel Guide Survey” project.
Jae’la Solomon is a graduate student in English Literature at Rice University. Jae’la is one of two distinguished recipients of the Larry Oaks Preservation Scholars title, an honor reserved for the top scoring candidate at the undergraduate and graduate level. Jae’la will be working with Alicia Costello in the History Programs Division on the “Beyond the Markers” project.
Estrella Torres is a graduate student in Public Administration at the University of Texas at Rio Grande Valley. Estrella will be working with the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission on the “Telling our Stories: Nonprofit Communications” project.
Tahlia Tran is an undergraduate studying Urban Studies and Geography at the University of Texas at Austin. Tahlia will be working with Amy Borgens in the Archeology Division on the “A River Runs Through It: The Texas Historical Commission (THC) State Waterway Archeology Mapping Project (SWAMP)” project.
The Preservation Scholars program, now in its seventeenth year, brings students from underrepresented cultural and ethnic backgrounds into paid internships with the Texas Historical Commission with the ultimate goal of diversifying the voices involved in discovering and sharing our state’s history. We feel confident that this year’s cohort will not only rise to the challenge of their assigned projects but take them to the next level. We are honored to get to know these incredible students as they join us for the summer.