Stories of Student Success

Katelyn Rollins, MA

East Carolina University alumna Katelyn Rollins joined the Country Doctor Museum as site manager in February 2025, bringing her passion for history and preservation to one of North Carolina’s hidden gems. After earning her master’s degree in Maritime Studies from ECU, Katelyn gained hands-on experience in cultural resource management across the eastern United States. Now managing the Country Doctor Museum, Katelyn finds great joy in watching visitors connect with exhibits and leave the museum with a deeper appreciation for medical history. Her accomplishments showcase how ECU’s graduate programs empower graduates to make meaningful contributions to cultural preservation

Kristin O’Lear, MA

Kristin O’Lear, MA (History ’20) is Executive Director of the Kodiak History Museum in Kodiak, Alaska. Kristin studied Public History at ECU. About her experiences after graduation, she has this to share:

“Since earning my MA in History from ECU, I’ve been fortunate to build a career that celebrates the power of history to connect people and place. Following graduation, my professional journey began in California at the Imperial Valley Desert Museum, where I served first as Head Curator and later as Executive Director. Leading a small institution gave me the chance to experience every aspect of museum work, from curating exhibits and designing educational programs to developing unique experiences like history-themed hikes. Through these experiences, I’ve seen firsthand how museums can inspire curiosity, foster dialogue, and create connections that last well beyond our doors.

In 2024, I brought that experience to Kodiak, Alaska, where I now serve as Executive Director of the Kodiak History Museum. Here, I’ve had the privilege of working with a dynamic team to share local history in ways that resonate with our community. While I am still new to this organization, these experiences have been an invaluable opportunity to grow as both personally and professionally.

Looking back, choosing ECU for my graduate studies was a pivotal moment. The mentorship and guidance I received from faculty, paired with hands-on opportunities, equipped me with the tools I needed to succeed in a competitive field. My MA in History didn’t just prepare me for a career, it gave me the confidence and foundation to step into leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in the museum world. I am proud to carry ECU’s influence with me in every chapter of my professional journey.”

Danny Kruger, BA, MA

Danny Kruger, BA (History ’21), MA (History, 24) is currently a law student at Elon University School of Law. During his time at ECU, he was chosen to instruct Ancient History courses in ECU’s Tuscany program. Of this experience, Danny writes:

“I was privileged to join the ECU Tuscany program this spring and teach Roman history to a great group of students! It was an enriching experience of travel, laughs, learning, and Italian culture. My group and I visited many sites I had only read about or dreamt of seeing, such as Rome, Florence, Pompeii, Pisa, and various little Italian towns tucked away in the beautiful countryside. The location of our program, Certaldo, felt like a second home, and mingling with the charming residents was a one-of-a-kind interaction. I know the students enjoyed the sightseeing and excursions around Italy as much as I did, and it was my pleasure to lead the group through the ancient site of the Roman Forum and Colosseum. Director Linda Darty and her staff have created a wonderful opportunity for those seeking a full experience in Italy, and I encourage everyone to take an extended stay abroad.”

Jonathan Brooks, MA

Jonathan Brooks, MA (History, ’96) is the principal of Macon Consulting, a North Carolina based political finance consulting firm. Since 2016, he has also been the Senior Government Relations Advisor to Ward and Smith, P.A., a North Carolina based law firm with offices in Asheville, Raleigh, Greenville, New Bern, and Wilmington.

He has served as a consultant to the campaigns of U.S. Senator Richard Burr, U.S. Senator Thom Tillis, Governor Pat McCrory, U. S. Senator Elizabeth Dole, Congressmen Walter B. Jones, Jr., Greg Murphy, and Chuck Edwards, the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the Republican Governors Association, and numerous independent expenditure efforts in North Carolina. He began his career on the Washington staff of U.S. Senator Lauch Faircloth and as a finance consultant to U.S. Senator Jesse Helms.
Mr. Brooks currently serves on the East Carolina University Board of Visitors, the Advisory Board of the East Carolina University Center for Survey Research, and the North Carolina Historic Bath Commission. He is a recipient of the State of North Carolina’s Order of the Long Leaf Pine, and has been inducted into the Court of Honor of the Kappa Alpha Order.

Heather Seibert, BA

Heather Seibert, BA (History & English, ’06) is currently Teaching Assistant Professor of Library Science at East Carolina University. After graduating from the Department of History, she worked in several positions at Joyner Library, and earned her Masters of Library Science degree in 2018. She later earned her doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2022, after having joined the Program in Library Science as a faculty member in 2022. She is the co-author of The Ideabook of Positive Change in the Library Workplace (American Library Association Press, 2020). In her current research, she investigates the intersection of Generative AI, OER development, and copyright implications, with a focus on AI’s role in Library Science education.

Maria Hammack, BA, MA