Working at the Stanley Museum of Art over the last two years has been a highlight of my undergraduate experience at the University of Iowa. I have had the pleasure of working with Elizabeth Wallace as her undergraduate assistant in communications and marketing for two academic years and with Susan Horan as her summer intern at the UI Center for Advancement. Both roles have allowed me to explore my interest in art institution careers while improving valuable skills such as communication, creativity, and critical thinking. 

I worked on many fulfilling projects during my time at the Stanley, but here are some of the highlights:  

• Composing media kit documents and attending the first media opportunity where I was able to see my work distributed to the press as they were introduced to the new building.  
• Creating social media content. In my first year, I introduced the “Stanley with Sammy” my own blog-like social media series aimed at increasing undergraduate student engagement. Since then, I have written social media posts on the museum’s collection and reopening.  
• Meeting generous museum donors and giving tours of the new building (then still under construction) last summer with Susan. It was lovely to meet the individuals who support our mission and watch the building come together over time.  
• Producing a short video for the Stanley’s YouTube channel. I hope this video will help reduce barriers to museum visitors and allow them to interact more fully with our collection. (This is still in the works, but I am eager for everyone to see the finished project as the writer, director, star, editor, etc.) 

Through all these projects and more, I was able to bring what I was learning in the Tippie College of Business to an arts setting. I am so grateful to have worked in an environment that was supportive of my learning and career goals and that valued my opinion as a young professional. I am so excited for the Stanley to open its doors in August and for everyone to be reintroduced to this extraordinary collection. I hope you will all see yourselves at the Stanley!