Maria Altier

She/her
Oberlin College, Art History

Why CGP: It has a great reputation, and it’s close to home! Not to mention, it is one of the few museum studies programs with a focus on science.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: Otsego lake! I love to see it as I drive to class.
Favorite museum: Museum of the Earth
Favorite class: Science Collections

Jack Beemsterboer

He/Him
Augustana College, History major English Minor

Why CGP: The community and the connections, plus upstate NY is gorgeous
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The beautiful historic buildings
Favorite museum: Art Institute of Chicago
Favorite class: Historic Preservation

Conor Brandt

He/Him
Suny Oneonta, History major, Educatonal Psycology minor

Why CGP: I picked CGP because I wanted to be involved in public history education
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The snow and atmosphere
Favorite museum: L Ron Hubbard Historic House
Favorite class: Big Ideas

Jessie Burchett

She/They
University of York, England, Historical Archaeology

Why CGP: For the practical experience throughout the course, and the focus on training us for many aspects of museum management.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: Otsego Lake! It’s a privilege to live so close to something so beautiful.
Favorite museum: Sir John Soanes Museum, London. A neoclassical masterpiece.
Favorite class: Material Culture (objects for the win)

Cristal De La Cruz

she/her
dartmouth college, history modified with art history

Why CGP: The alumni network and the emphasis CGP places on hands-on projects
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: Lake Otsego and the Village Library!
Favorite museum: Museo de Goya in Zaragoza, Spain
Favorite class: Big Ideas

Caitlynn Gaston

She/Her
Montana State University, History Major, Museum Studies Minor

Why CGP: My library coworkers recommended the program.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The lake!
Favorite museum: Corning Museum of Glass
Favorite class: Historic Preservation

Emma Haring

She/her
Towson University, Art History, museum studies minor

Why CGP: Affordability and the alumni network
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: Small-town vibes and the Baseball Hall of Fame camaraderie
Favorite museum: American Visionary Art Museum (Baltimore, MD)
Favorite class: Big Ideas and Historic Preservation

Meg Hosie

she/her
temple university, history major, art history minor

Why CGP: I wanted a program that would give me a lot of hands-on experience. I’m not even a year in and I already feel like I have so much to add to my resume. I also wanted a smaller program where I could really get to know my professors. CGP is perfect for this.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: It’s so beautiful here. And there’s so many good cheeses at the farmers’ market.
Favorite museum: Barnes Foundation or the Rodin Museum
Favorite class: Historic Preservation has been really interesting so far. I also enjoyed learning about oral histories in Research and Fieldwork last semester.

Joel Krick

He/him
SUNY Cortland, Anthropology with a concentration in museum studies

Why CGP: It is the best museum studies program in the country
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The local hiking trails
Favorite museum: The Maine Maritime Museum
Favorite class: Cultural Encounters

Ben Lake

He/HIm
SUNY Fredonia, Earth Science: Adolescence Education

Why CGP: For the unique science track of the program, it meant my science education training could still be applied in the museum field.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The Cooperstown Farmer’s Market breakfast sandwich.
Favorite museum: The Strong National Museum of Play
Favorite class: Digital Technology in Museums

Peyton Legg

She/her
SUNY Oneonta, Anthropology and Psychology

Why CGP: The great alumni network and so many classes to learn all facets of museum work
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The small town vibe, it reminds me of home
Favorite museum: Hard to pick! Either American Museum of Natural History or Corning Museum of Glass
Favorite class: Historic Preservation

Justin Maroney

He/They
University of North Texas, History

Why CGP: Rural setting, reputation, baseball!
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, of course
Favorite museum: National Archeological Museum in Naples
Favorite class: Historic Preservation

Gabriela Paixao e Kelly

She/Her
UAlbany, Anthropology

Why CGP: I loved what the program had to offer and the alumni network.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: I love the quiet setting.
Favorite museum: Museum of Us, San Diego CA
Favorite class: Identity and Activism and African American Art

Zach Sabo

He/Him
Rutgers New Brunswick, HIstory Major, Medieval Studies Minor

Why CGP: I was recommended to apply to the program from one of my professors.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The quite rural setting with a quaint small town vibe.
Favorite museum: Penn Museum
Favorite class: Big Ideas and Material Culture

Toni Seitz

She/her
University of Wisconsin – Madison

Why CGP: I was interested in Public History, and my boss was an alumni of the program. She spoke very highly of it.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The Farmer’s Market and the friendly atmosphere
Favorite museum: The Milwaukee Public Museum
Favorite class: Cultural Encounters

Joslyn Sperry

She/her
Iowa State University; Anthropology

Why CGP: Living history emphasis and connections
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: It’s beautiful!
Favorite museum: Living History Farms
Favorite class: Cultural Encounters with Cindy Falk

Andrew Stolarski

He/Him
Kenyon College, history

Why CGP: Peter Rutkoff, a CGP faculty member also taught at Kenyon College and helped me with my senior thesis. He recommended the program and encouraged me to apply.
Favorite thing about Cooperstown: The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Favorite museum: American Museum of Natural History
Favorite class: Museum Administration