Alumni Profile: Laura Meier (M. HSPH '21)

Read about HSPH alumna Laura Meier ('21). She is now a Tribal Records Specialist at Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community.

Why did you choose HSPH?

I chose the Heritage Studies and Public History program because it aligned with my values and provided a nurturing environment for its students. From the beginning, I was drawn to its dedication to diversity and inclusion by offering an accessible and affordable educational experience and encouraging its students to engage with underrepresented histories through an interdisciplinary lens. Additionally, its attention to social justice and community engagement, and its being close to home, assured me that I could engage with stories that matter to me and that matter to the broader community.

What do you do in your current position?

I work for the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community (SMSC), a federally recognized, sovereign tribal nation located southwest of Minneapolis/St. Paul. As the Tribal Records Specialist, I support the Tribal Records Department in its mission to steward information related to the creation, operation, and success of the SMSC. Following the principles of information governance, we preserve and provide access to this information in order to protect the past, present, and future interests of the Community. On any given day, you can find me digitizing documents, fulfilling information requests, cataloging archival records, or tackling any other project that comes our way.

In what ways did the HSPH program prepare you for your current position?

The HSPH program provided the practical experiences, perspectives, and connections necessary for my current position. Between the (paid) internships and fellowships in areas of records management and digital collections management, especially, I was able to harness the necessary hands-on experience fundamental to my day-to-day work. Likewise, through group projects with my cohort, and partnerships with diverse communities throughout Minnesota, I further developed my communication and interpersonal skills that are at the heart of any collaborative project. In fact, through my master’s capstone project, I was also able to make my first connection with the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, where I continue to learn and grow every day.