Embracing the Unknown

Portrait of Dana Queen.
Photo by Phuong Tran, CLAgency student.

Dana Queen’s variety of earned scholarships have allowed her to develop her deep interest in history. Additionally, Queen’s learning abroad experience in York, England taught her to embrace the unknown. Now in her last semester, she looks forward to finishing her degrees in history and anthropology.

Majors: History and Anthropology
Graduation Year: Spring 2019

What drives you? What are you passionate about? 

I always felt passionate about school and learning as I grew up, which has morphed into a passion for more informal learning spaces, such as museums and libraries. I think it is important for as many people as possible to have access to an interesting and diverse education. I am also passionate about traveling and meeting people from all over the world. 

What scholarships, fellowships, or other awards aided your educational journey? 

As an incoming freshman, I received the Elizabeth E. Roth Scholarship, which has given me the flexibility to engage in activities related to my interests or future career. Thanks to this award, I will be graduating with less debt. 

Also as a freshman, I was chosen to take part in the Dean’s First-Year Research and Creative Scholars program. This program paired me with the Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies (CHGS) where I worked with their collections. I have continued to work with CHGS for the last three years, learning even more about collections management and information sciences. 

What experiences have helped you grow intellectually and personally? 

Last spring I studied abroad at the University of York in York, England through the history department. I was there for about six months. The experience definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and gave me the chance to live in a different world. 

The best part was being able to travel around Europe. I think that traveling alone is an experience everyone should have. It forces you to be independent and open to new experiences, and it allows you to form spontaneous friendships.

What’s next after graduation? 

I plan to attend the Library and Information Sciences Masters Program at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign or the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee. I’m interested in becoming a children’s and young adult librarian and working on programming to aid in creating informal learning spaces that spark inquisitivity. 

This story is part of a larger article. Read more at Scholarships Offer a Gateway for Students to Further Explore Their Interests.

This interview was conducted by an undergraduate student in CLAgency. Meet the team.

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