Hillary Edwards
Junior/Management and Art-Concentration in Arts Administration/Washington, D.C.

Hillary Edwards came to Goucher because she wanted to try something different.

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“I went to a public arts high school in D.C., and I didn’t plan on having anything really to do with art in college,” Edwards says. “I wanted to step away and go into anthropology or sociology or economics.”

But with the support and guidance from the Goucher community — and some good, hands-on experience — Edwards realized arts administration was what she wanted to do after all.

A big impetus was when Edward’s adviser, Alison Lohr, a management instructor, found her an internship at Art on Purpose, a Baltimore-based community arts program. Lohr said the internship was perfect for Edwards, but Edwards resisted at first.

“Then she said, ‘I’ve seen what you’ve done in class, and I see what you’re interested in in terms of community and art and management, and this organization embodies all of that. You would be able to get the type of experiences you want,’” Edwards says.

Edwards applied and was accepted. The internship turned out to be an amazing opportunity for her.

She says she got a wide range of hands-on experience at Art on Purpose, including office management, exhibitions curating, public relations, and communication on professional and peer-to-peer levels.

“On my first day I installed an exhibit at the Walters Art Museum,” Edwards says. “Who does that?”

These experiences have led her to want to start a community-oriented nonprofit organization that works with different cultures found within neighborhoods.

She says the support she’s gotten from Goucher professors, advisers, and peers has really helped guide and inspire her.

 “It makes you step up to the plate and really push through on the things you want to do. You know you’re not alone. Having that confidence behind you is really nice. It makes you feel like you’re doing something important for yourself, as well as your community.”