By Lucas Bouchard B.S. ‘28, Business Administration
Juliana Mayal B.A. ‘28, History
Katie Roxberry spent most of her life as an air traffic controller, proudly holding degrees in air traffic operations management, English and history. Pivoting her career from air traffic to history, she joined the Albert H. Small Center for National Capital Area Studies as the digital media editor in October 2023. While completing a master’s degree in museum studies at GW, Katie coordinates Evolution D.C., preparing guest posts for publication and writing her own three-part blog series on the Kennedys’ preservation work in Washington.
Since childhood, Katie has enjoyed uncovering truths of the past. Growing up she listened to family stories about fighting in World War II. Her love for history was strengthened when she visited Bastogne, Belgium, and witnessed untouched foxholes dug by American troops during the Battle of the Bulge. Katie realized that her grandparents’ experiences were not just decades-old stories but a reality they faced head-on. While aligned with broader historical narratives, their stories were also unique. The distinctiveness of eyewitness accounts inspired Katie to study history.
Her interest in museums solidified while stationed in Qatar with the U.S. Air Force. Katie visited the National Museum of Qatar, where she found herself mesmerized by the structure’s beauty and how much information she took in and learned. Even in such a new setting, the exhibitions informed visitors so easily, impressing Katie. The National Museum of Qatar’s eye-catching galleries showed her just how much of an impact museums can have on people no matter their background.
Retiring from military service, Katie finds herself at The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum surrounded by books, maps, prints and ephemera, submerged in Washington’s historical and cultural importance. Be sure to look out for her blog series soon!
This post was written by students in Professor Jessica McCaughey’s COMM 3190 class at the George Washington University.
About the Authors
Lucas Bouchard is an undergraduate studying business administration at the George Washington University. He enjoys swimming, painting and exploring what the D.C. area has to offer.
Juliana Mayal is an undergraduate majoring in history at the George Washington University. She enjoys traveling and recently studied abroad in Athens, Greece, where she taught English at the Polyglosso Institute of Languages.
Header image: Katie Roxberry, Digital Media Editor, Albert H. Small Washingtoniana Collection. Photo by William Atkins/the George Washington University.