Museum Studies
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ABOUT US
Museum Studies Faculty
![Heidi](https://www.wiu.edu/cofac/qc/museumstudies/images/2024/heidi.jpg)
Heidi Lung, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Director, Museum Studies Heidi Lung (she/her) earned academic degrees in art history (bachelor of arts), history (master of arts), museums studies (Graduate Certificate), and education (doctorate). From 2015 to 2022, when she joined WIU, Lung served as Program Director and Associate Professor for the University of Iowa Museum Studies program. She has over 25 years of experience in museum education, community outreach, and leadership for museums and organizations, including the Saint Louis Art Museum, Challenger Center for Space Science Education, the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis, and the Iowa Museum Association. You can learn more on LinkedIn and read Dr. Lung's CV.Angela McClanahan-Simmons, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Museum Studies![Angela](https://www.wiu.edu/cofac/qc/museumstudies/images/2024/angela24.jpg)
Mission
The Museum Studies Graduate Program in the College of Fine Arts and Communication at Western Illinois University is dedicated to educating and empowering the next generation of professionals to lead successful careers in museums and cultural institutions.Values
Through all efforts, the Museum Studies Graduate Program aligns with and supports Western Illinois University's core values of excellence, educational opportunity, personal growth, and social responsibility. In addition, the Museum Studies Graduate Program serves to:- Raise awareness of museums as essential educational, cultural, and scientific institutions.
- Foster quality, excellence, and accessibility in academic teaching and professional training.
- Model and prioritize honesty, integrity, and ethical conduct.
- Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the classroom and industry.
- Promote integrative thinking and transdisciplinary connections to adjacent academic and professional fields of study.
- Encourage and facilitate in-depth, hands-on, applied learning experiences such as internships, practicums, community-engaged projects, and professional networking opportunities.
- Support professional growth through continued mentoring during and beyond graduation.
- Celebrate and assist in the work of our community partners, program alumni, and professional networks as we move the field forward.
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