The Western Illinois Museum is thrilled to welcome two talented Western Illinois University (WIU) students who will be sharing their skills and gaining valuable professional experience with us. Both Dorothy Agyapong and Blaise Durkin are pursuing Master’s degrees in different fields, bringing a diverse range of insights and abilities to our team.
Dorothy Agyapong is in her second year at WIU, pursuing a Master’s in History. Originally from Ghana, where she earned a degree in History Education, Dorothy is now exploring how to incorporate primary sources into classroom teaching. Her work with the Museum has sparked many thought-provoking conversations about what materials are preserved, what stories they tell, and how systems often determine which histories are recorded. Her research focuses on the role of women educators in the 20th-century United States. She hopes to explore the challenges and legacies of women in education highlighting how they shaped and transformed their communities and educational systems. Dorothy plans to return to teaching in Ghana after completing her degree, equipped with new knowledge and experiences.
Blaise Durkin is a PeaceCorp Fellow who will serve as an AmeriCorps Member, dedicating 20 hours a week to the Museum. This graduate assistantship offers Blaise the chance to dive deep into projects focused on disaster preparedness, volunteer management, and capacity building. Reflecting on his new role, Blaise shared, “I am excited to join the Western Illinois Museum. I spent the last two years as a Peace Corps Volunteer in a rural village in Zambia’s Eastern Province. Now, as I pursue a master’s degree in Quantitative Economics, I’m eager to apply analytical methods to sustainable development. My passion lies in leveraging economic theories to create systems that promote environmental sustainability and empower local communities. I look forward to bringing this perspective to the Museum and contributing to its mission.”
Since 2009, the Western Illinois Museum has enjoyed working with over 30 interns and three AmeriCorps Members. By collaborating closely with each student’s advisor, we ensure these young professionals gain hands-on experience in various aspects of nonprofit museum work. We deeply value these partnerships, as they provide essential support and fresh perspectives to the Museum. It is a privilege to serve these community members by playing a role in the growth and development of these emerging professionals.
About the WIU Fellows Program
The Fellows Program in Community Development at Western Illinois University is a two-year graduate fellowship program for returned Peace Corps volunteers (RPCV) and AmeriCorps (AC) Alumni. The program is managed through the Illinois Institute for Rural Affairs (IIRA) and offers RPCVs and AC Alumni an opportunity to pursue graduate studies with an emphasis on rural community and economic development.
As part of their degree program, Fellows serve an eleven-month internship in a rural community, leading local development projects, such as: downtown revitalization, business retention and expansion, tourism development, health education, volunteer management, and disaster preparedness. Fellows work to build local capacity, mobilize people, and make sustainable progress. Any small town, group of towns, or local/county/regional agencies are eligible to apply to host a Fellow.
About the AmeriCorps Program
The mission of AmeriCorps is to improve lives, strengthen communities, and foster civic engagement through service and volunteering.
AmeriCorps, a federal agency, brings people together to tackle the country’s most pressing challenges, through national service and volunteering. AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers serve with organizations dedicated to the improvement of communities. AmeriCorps helps make service to others a cornerstone of our national culture..