Critical Museum StudiesStudent Ambassadors Program

  • The Critical Museum Studies (CMST) Student Ambassadors Program connects outstanding CMST minors with prospective minors. Ambassadors meet with prospective students who are visiting HWS during Admissions events, sharing their experiences as students in the CMST Program and offering insights about how the minor has helped them to discover and pursue their academic and professional goals. Ambassadors also meet with current HWS students who are exploring the minor. They offer advice about course selections within the minor, helping to conceptualize individualized capstone project ideas, as well as inform them of internship and networking opportunities.

    If you are interested in connecting with a Critical Museum Studies Student Ambassador, please contact the Critical Museum Studies minor program Chair, Angelique Szymanek: szymanek@hws.edu.

     

    Chapman

    Studio Art major; Critical Museum Studies minorCori Chapman '26

    Since I could remember, I have always been fascinated by museums and galleries, from the artwork on the walls to the playlists made to set the atmosphere for the space. I spent most of my life with that interest but had nowhere to fulfil it. It wasn't until I was introduced into the Critical Museum Studies program my freshman year, that I felt confident in finding a career and honing a passion in art curation and presentation.

    Through this program I have been able to curate my first solo exhibition, "Black then. Black now." The exhibit was a presentation of archived images of the first Black students at HWS accompanied with art from current Black students with an urge to allow these two narratives to communicate with each other. I have also been able to intern in the Provenzano Student Art Gallery, a student-run gallery space located in the heart of campus in varying positions, including Gallery Manager and Exhibitions Coordinator. Through this program, I have been able to exercise the skills vital for a career in the art world. I am extremely grateful for all the opportunities afforded to me through this minor and I can say with certainty that the Critical Museum Studies program is one of the most impactful spaces I have been a part of at Hobart and William Smith.

  • Gastelo

    Chemistry & Art History major; Critical Museum Studies minorIndia Buff '26

    The Critical Museum Studies program is an amazing opportunity for people with very diverse interests. As a double major in Art History and Chemistry, I have been able to do coursework that combines my two interests. As someone who learns best with hands-on experience, the CMST program is a perfect opportunity. 

    At my previous institution, before transferring, I designed, organized, and installed an exhibit featuring the art and history of their alumni association. I also worked as a student intern in the String Room Gallery, the art gallery on campus. Since declaring the minor here at HWS, I am very excited to work with the Provenzano Student Art Gallery this semester and have an internship with Meghan Jordan, our Visual Arts Curator, for cataloguing! 

    After taking Museum Studies classes every time I go to a museum, I think deeper about what content is included and how it is presented, which is preparing me well for a future career in a museum-related field. This program provides so many opportunities that truly offer a well-rounded education in any of the three tracks.