My name is Anna Jolley. I moved to Lubbock, Texas in 2012 after completing a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from the University of Georgia. I was nervous about moving to an area so different from what I was used to, but I tried my best to embrace everything West Texas had to offer, from two-stepping to prairie dogs to mesquite bean jelly. It didn’t take long for me to fall totally in love with the history, culture, and environment of the Southern High Plains. I recently graduated from Texas Tech University with a Master’s degree in Museum Science. I also finished a year-long internship in the Education Division of the Lubbock Lake National Historic Landmark.
As a Community Intern, I will be working under Fr. Ken Keller at the Nazareth Museum and Holy Family Parish Archives in Nazareth, Texas. My work will focus on the assessment of historical objects, procedures for collections care, and long-term strategic planning. Most of my museum experience has been in education, so I am looking forward to broadening my knowledge and skills in these other areas of the museum field.
As anxious as I was to move several hundred miles away from home, I have had several life-affirming moments since I began my graduate program and work here in Lubbock. I firmly believe that at least right now, I’m where I am supposed to be, doing what I should be doing, and I’m excited for opportunities to continue learning and growing on this path.
