K-State alum turned a love of history into a career in museum leadership through applied learning
When Kimberlee Westcott came to K-State, her future felt wide open — exciting but uncertain.
“I remember when I transferred to K-State and felt like I had every possibility in the world to study anything,” Westcott said.
That sense of possibility came into focus when she returned to a lifelong interest: history. She decided her future would be rooted in looking back.
Now a history major, Westcott was introduced to the work of K-State’s Chapman Center for Rural Studies.
“This was really the event that set me on my path into public history,” Westcott said. “I fell more in love with the work and my courses each coming year.”
That growing clarity soon turned into real-world experience.
Putting theory into practice
At the donor-supported Chapman Center, Westcott created her own hands-on learning project exploring nonprofit leadership grounded in preservation, education and community engagement.
That experience directly shaped her next step: Westcott was recently hired as the director of the Martin and Osa Johnson Safari Museum in Chanute, Kansas.
“Students leave with a clearer understanding of how their skills apply in professional settings,” said Dr. Mary Kohn, director of the Chapman Center. “That awareness makes a difference.”
Turning history into a career
As a student, Westcott was able to meet and network with museum professionals across Kansas and learn the ins and outs of how a museum works.
“Working with museums around the state helped me understand how leadership functions,” Westcott said. “It made applying for my dream job feel possible.”
When she was interviewing for the director position, she said museum board members were interested in her applied learning experiences and her connection to K-State and the Chapman Center.
“They were excited about a fresh perspective and about having someone with strong ties to K-State,” Westcott said. “My education and experience at K-State prepared me to be an active part of the community. It showed me how important it is to give back wherever you are.”
By Heather Ackerly
Curated from From classroom to career | K-State Today | Kansas State University