Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipient Jessica Hougen
This was the first conference I’ve been to since before the pandemic. The last one I went to was the California Association of Museums (CAM) in March 2020. That one was great, but weird. We all knew something was happening but we didn’t yet know the severity of the situation. It was business as usual, with plenty of hand sanitizer to...
#WandaChin
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipient Ali Smurawa
I was near the tail-end of my first year as a full-time museum educator when I applied for the Wanda Chin scholarship. I knew that I wanted to (and needed to) attend a museum conference, but which one, and how? WMA’s theme Forward spoke to me, and as I sent off my application, I waited in anticipation for a reply. If awarded, then this...
I was near the tail-end of my first year as a full-time museum educator when I applied for the Wanda Chin scholarship. I knew that I wanted to (and needed to) attend a museum conference, but which one, and how? WMA’s theme Forward spoke to me, and as I sent off my application, I waited in anticipation for a reply. If awarded, then this...
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship recipient Billie Jean Guerrero
I arrived in Portland to attend a conference sponsored by the Western Museums Association and the Oregon Museums Association. It was my first-time visiting Portland and the first time attending the Western Museums conference. Upon arrival and the weather being dark and overcast, I wasn’t able to venture out right away. But,...
I arrived in Portland to attend a conference sponsored by the Western Museums Association and the Oregon Museums Association. It was my first-time visiting Portland and the first time attending the Western Museums conference. Upon arrival and the weather being dark and overcast, I wasn’t able to venture out right away. But,...
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipient Hayley Noble
The 2022 WMA Annual Meeting in Portland was not the first meeting I attended, but it was the first in a leadership position. Previously, I attended the Boise meeting in 2019 as a part-time employee with the Idaho State Historical Society. Now in 2022, I am the Executive Director of a small historical society that runs a house museum in...
The 2022 WMA Annual Meeting in Portland was not the first meeting I attended, but it was the first in a leadership position. Previously, I attended the Boise meeting in 2019 as a part-time employee with the Idaho State Historical Society. Now in 2022, I am the Executive Director of a small historical society that runs a house museum in...
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship recipient Keala Rusher
The opportunity to attend the Western Museums Association Annual Meeting as an emerging museum professional was incredibly valuable for all the ways the weekend reaffirmed that building strong and authentic relationships with community must be at the forefront of museum work. While building relationships with community is already...
The opportunity to attend the Western Museums Association Annual Meeting as an emerging museum professional was incredibly valuable for all the ways the weekend reaffirmed that building strong and authentic relationships with community must be at the forefront of museum work. While building relationships with community is already...
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipient Jenna Canals
I can do this. One final affirmation in the mirror before Day 1 of my first conference. My heart is in my throat, my stomach is in my butt, and I’m flooded with equal parts excitement and apprehension. I’m out the door and on my way to the Opening Session and Keynote. I’ve missed most of the morning coffee but my 8 AM “Pep Talk with...
I can do this. One final affirmation in the mirror before Day 1 of my first conference. My heart is in my throat, my stomach is in my butt, and I’m flooded with equal parts excitement and apprehension. I’m out the door and on my way to the Opening Session and Keynote. I’ve missed most of the morning coffee but my 8 AM “Pep Talk with...
Written by 2022 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipient Terri Thomas
Thanks to a generous Wanda Chin scholarship, I was privileged to be a first-time attendee at the Western Museums Association annual meeting, where talented museum professionals came together after a prolonged period of separation and shared bold visionary work that reflects the needs of our current times. Like flame licking up the side...
Thanks to a generous Wanda Chin scholarship, I was privileged to be a first-time attendee at the Western Museums Association annual meeting, where talented museum professionals came together after a prolonged period of separation and shared bold visionary work that reflects the needs of our current times. Like flame licking up the side...
2023 Wanda Chin Scholarship Recipients
Wanda Chin Professional Development Program
Since 1997, the Wanda Chin Professional Development Program has helped to make attendance at the Western Museums Association’s (WMA) Annual Meeting financially accessible to individuals who might otherwise not be able to attend. Funded through annual auctions and donations, the Wanda Chin Professional Development ...
Wanda Chin Professional Development Program
Since 1997, the Wanda Chin Professional Development Program has helped to make attendance at the Western Museums Association’s (WMA) Annual Meeting financially accessible to individuals who might otherwise not be able to attend. Funded through annual auctions and donations, the Wanda Chin Professional Development ...
