Dr. Jessica Brannon-Wranosky helped me realize I was in love with history and that I wanted to make it my career. Dr. Andrew Baker constantly challenges me and makes me think about things from alternative perspectives. And Dr. Mylynka Cardona has constantly reminded me to take time for myself and prioritize my feelings.
Meredith “Grace” Slayter Graduate Assistant of Research
- Alum
- Graduate Assistant
- Student
Looking back, Grace Slayter didn’t put much thought into enrolling at A&M-Commerce as an undergraduate student. Her then-boyfriend (now husband) studied accounting here at the time, and that was enough of a reason to enroll. But it didn't take long before she found her calling. History faculty revealed her love for the discipline and encouraged her to pursue it as a profession. In Spring 2019, she graduated with her bachelor's degree before returning that fall. Now a Graduate Assistant of Research, Slayter continues to thrive as a writer and editor for the Handbook of Texas Women. While there is still work to be done, her time in the history program proved worthwhile.
A Conversation with Meredith
What are your career goals and how does your degree program fit into your career goals?
“Currently, I plan to pursue a doctorate after I finish my graduate degree and then get a job either at a university or with some kind of research institution. My degree program will help me craft a thesis which I then can use as a writing sample to send to the doctorate programs I am interested in. Ideally, it will also prepare me for my career by teaching me valuable and necessary skills.”
What professor or person on campus has positively influenced you?
“There have been several. In the history department, Dr. Jessica Brannon-Wranosky helped me realize I was in love with history and that I wanted to make it my career. Dr. Andrew Baker constantly challenges me and makes me think about things from alternative perspectives. And Dr. Mylynka Cardona has constantly reminded me to take time for myself and prioritize my feelings. When I was an undergrad there were several people from across the university that I had the opportunity to work with and found to be positive influences including Dr. Yvonne Villanueva-Russell, Jeremy Sippel, Bethany Ferral and President Rudin.”
What research projects have you worked on? What was your role?
“I have and continue to work on the Handbook of Texas Women Project with Dr. Wranosky. I am one of her Graduate Research Assistants (GARs), and I help her with pretty much anything she needs related to the project including: research, fact-checking, writing, editing, sending emails, communicating with people on behalf of the project and supporting her in her speaking engagements. I also worked on The Desegregation in Hunt County Schools oral history project in Dr. Baker’s class this spring. Our research was unable to continue due to COVID-19, so my role was writing and researching entries for the East Texas History Portal based on oral histories from the archives. “
Tell us a little about yourself.
“I was born and grew up all my life in Texarkana, Texas, where I was homeschooled all through elementary and high school. When I was seventeen, I finished high school and began taking classes at Texarkana Junior College where I took my basics. When I was in high school and at junior college, I was fortunate to have several opportunities to travel to Europe including Italy, Greece, the UK and Ireland. Then, at the end of two years at TJC, I decided to take a gap year before going to a four-year institution. I spent a year in Switzerland where I worked with a non-profit and learned about how to educate people at risk on signs to avoid being trafficked. We educated people while traveling through Switzerland, Romania, Moldova and Italy.”
Educational Background
- MS, History, Texas A&M University-Commerce, in progress
- BS, History, Texas A&M University-Commerce, 2019
Awards and Honors
- Strategic Planning Committee Member, 2019
Student Organizations
- Phi Alpha Theta
- Vice President, Student Government
- Vice President, College Democrats
- Phi Kappa Phi