SSU alumnus pursues career in public history

Graduating from Shawnee State University in 2014, Lacie (Norris) Rinehart has used her degree to immerse herself into a historical city that is over 300 years old.

Earning a degree in history and a minor in archeology while at SSU, after graduation Norris moved to live in Charleston, S.C., where she went on to earn a master’s in history and social sciences.

“After graduation, I got a job working as a full-time curator at a Historical House Museum in the Downtown area,” she said. “After COVID hit, I changed career paths and joined a tour company called Bulldog Tours. I am now a full-time tour guide and office administrative assistant in their Group Sales Department.”

At SSU, Rinehart spent a lot of her time involved in the Student Government Association and Delta Phi Epsilon sorority. She founded the university’s History Club and enjoyed being able to meet students coming to SSU from all over the world.

“I chose Shawnee State University for the smaller teacher-to-student ratio, the apartment-like living for students and the cost of in-state tuition,” she said. “My favorite part of my major was learning different histories from around the world. I got to study American history, of course, but also Indian, Asia, German, Roman and African history.”

Since moving to Charleston, Rinehart has fallen in love with the rich history of the city and enjoys guiding people around it in her job.

“I was always told that the only way to make money and still major in history was by going into teaching – that isn't the case,” she said, encouraging others to pursue a career in history. “Look into public history as it has all sorts of career paths that are still needed. I get to do what I love because I followed a different path than what was suggested to me.”

SSU’s History program encourages students to develop their analytical capacities, research skills and writing talents while gaining a general understanding of the development of American, European, Asian, and Middle Eastern civilizations. Graduates of the program find themselves prepared to pursue careers in law, education, journalism, government service and the private sector.

To learn more about the history program at Shawnee State University, visit www.shawnee.edu/history.