May 2025 Member of the Month
Meet Keidra Daniels Navaroli, a McKnight Doctoral Fellow at the University of Central Florida!
What’s one thing — either industry/work-related or not — you learned in the past month?
As I balance the responsibilities of teaching, consulting, writing a doctoral dissertation, and parenting, I’ve learned to be patient with myself, especially at this hectic time of the semester!
What do you value about your membership with AAMG?
AAMG was one of the first professional affiliations I joined, and since 2014 it has been a lifeline for career development, validation, and community. AAMG members and leadership are generous with their time and support, and someone is ALWAYS willing to answer a listserv inquiry. I love that!
If you could trade places with anyone for a day, who would it be?
That’s a tough one…I spend so much time in my own head (perfectionism is a beast!), I never considered it…maybe an artist I admire like costume designer Ruth E. Carter. Having an ounce of her creative vision/talent for a day would be transformative.
Coffee or Tea?
Coffee
Book/Author suggestion?
Reading is never-ending as a grad student, so it’s hard to pick just one. However, I just wrote a book review for Is Now the Time for Joyous Rage? by editors Jacqueline Francis and Jeanne Gerrity…an incredible “intervention” for visual and cultural studies! P.S.: I know this question is about books, but for those who haven’t seen the Ryan Coogler film “Sinners,” get to the theater 🙂
What did you want to be when you were growing up?
Although my career intention changed dramatically in college (from premed to art history), I always wanted to be a researcher and teacher.
What do you enjoy most about being a part of an academic museum?
On the first day of my first academic museum job, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride when I stepped onto campus. What I valued then (and continue to value now in my independent work for academic museums) is the university environment. Being surrounded each day by folks actively engaged in research and innovation is invigorating.
What are your hopes for our industry?
Right now, our field is experiencing an unprecedented level of uncertainty, fear, and, in some cases, disillusionment. My hope is that we continue to support and challenge one another as we prepare the field for an emerging, and hopefully empowered, new generation.
Do you have a favorite joke to share?
No. (My daughter’s “dad jokes” book has too many to count…I will do us all a favor and not share them here.)
