Camren Murray ‘18C
During the summer 2020, Camren Murray ‘18C completed a prestigious summer internship at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. Her internship was conducted remotely due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Following her internship, Camren was offered a position as a part-time educator for the Institute’s Online History School.
In her current role, Camren assists with course delivery for the Online History School, which offers free virtual courses for elementary, middle, and high school students. It is a continuation of her summer internship, during which she helped to facilitate “Book Breaks,” live discussions with scholars and assisted with the Hamilton Education Program.
“When the Institute offered me a part-time job for the school year, I didn’t hesitate to take it,” said Camren. “I love being around people who are like-minded and love to teach, while promoting historical literacy and civic engagement.”
Camren completed her Bachelor of Arts (BA) at St. John’s with a major in History and minor in Africana Studies. As a junior, she traveled to Cameroon along with Associate Professor Konrad Tuchscherer, Ph.D., and other St. John’s undergraduates.
“Since arriving at St. John’s from her home in Florida five years ago, Camren has been fearless in exploring, challenging, and reinventing herself, and affirming the line from Hamilton that in New York you can be a ‘new woman,’” said Dr. Tuchscherer.
After graduating with her BA, Camren spent a gap year traveling to Ghana for the 2019 “Year of Return.”
Despite considering a career in business at first, Camren settled on History for her major because she found a passion for the subject. “I love it so much, and I learn something new every day,” she said. “My mom always says that when you pursue something you love, the money will come.”
Now, as a master’s student in History, Camren is completing a thesis on colorism and classism in the African American community with her mentor, Associate Professor Philip Misevich, Ph.D.
“Camren is widely respected as a scholar and an activist,” said Dr. Misevich. “She is doing cutting-edge research on the historical representation of Blackness in twentieth-century literature. The Gilder Lehrman Institute has given Cam a unique platform to engage the public in discussions about how we teach the past.”
Camren’s work with the Gilder Lehrman Institute has exposed her to careers in the non-profit sector, something she hadn’t considered before but has enjoyed immensely. “This experience has helped me understand how important education is,” she said. “The commitment to education I see around me is inspiring and humbling.”
