Jennifer Alexander is the Supervisor of Collections for the Wyoming State Museum. She has been with the Museum for over three decades and has also worked as an Assistant Curator and Collections Curator. Jennifer previously gained work experience at the National Gallery of Art, the Stonewall Jackson House Museum, the Kansas Museum of History, and the Watkins Museum of History. She received a BA in Art History and an MA in Museum Studies from the University of Kansas. Jennifer has focused on the many aspects of collections management in her career and has developed Disaster Plans and Emergency Carts as part of this work.

Marcie Blaylock is the Reference Historian for the Wyoming State Archives where she researches state government and historical collections, aids in managing the archive’s digital collections, and supports the Roving Archivist Program.

She attended the University of Wyoming, graduating with a Bachelor’s in History with minors in Museum Studies and International Studies, and attended the University of Oklahoma, graduating with a Master’s in Library and Information Studies with a focus in Archival Studies and a Master’s in Art History with a focus in Japanese contemporary art.

Marcie has worked with various archival and library institutions, such as the Wyoming State Library, American Heritage Center (WY), Western History Collections (University of Oklahoma), and Ancestry.com. She has a combined 7 years of archival and library experience in metadata creation, record management, digitization, cataloging, and processing of collections.

Cindy Brown is the Digital Archivist for the Wyoming State Archives.  After graduating from Carroll College with a BA in History, Cindy joined the State Archives staff. 

 

She has received a Digital Archives Specialist certificate from the Society of American Archivists.  Cindy is a past president of the Wyoming Historical Society and is currently the past president of the Society of Rocky Mountain Archivists.  For the first 25 years, she provided research assistance to the public and government agencies, archived a wide range of public and private collections, and helped establish many of the archival databases currently in use. 

 

For the last 16 years, Cindy has transitioned to working with digital records, including developing strategies for preserving and archiving permanent and long-term electronic records.  This includes recent group projects with ETS, such as drafting a policy for managing emails and serving as an administrator of the Wyoming Digital Archives (TRIM/Content Manager software), and providing guidance and assistance to state and local agencies.  

 

Carly-Ann Carruthers is the Planning Manager for Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources, where she leads efforts for collaborative planning, public engagement, and policy work that guide the agency’s efforts to improve communities and enrich lives.

Carly-Ann holds a B.S. in Biology and an M.A. in American Studies and Environment and Natural Resources from U.W. where her work focused on Wyoming's cultural landscapes, public discourse, and narrative as planning tools. Prior to her current role, Carly-Ann served as the executive director of the Alliance for Historic Wyoming and as a program coordinator for the Laramie Main Street Alliance. She serves on the Wyoming Main Street Advisory Board, linking her professional work to advocacy for historic preservation and economic development in Wyoming.

Carly-Ann lives in her hometown of Cheyenne with her family and enjoys toting them along to parks, historic sites, and cultural events.

Rachel Clifton is the Executive Director with the Wyoming Arts Council, the State Arts Agency, and has worked as an arts administrator for over 15 years. In her current role as Executive Director, she is responsible for managing the agency’s state and federal budget, staff development, strategic and long-term planning, and working with the Arts Council advisory board. Additionally, she serves on several statewide boards and advisory committees, and represents Wyoming through regional and national peer organizations.

Prior to being named Executive Director in 2023, she served as the Arts Council’s Assistant Director and previously worked at the University of Wyoming Art Museum, where she was the Assistant Curator. She has held jobs and internships with several prestigious museums, including the National Museum of Wildlife Art, the Denver Art Museum, and the Smithsonian American Art Museum. 

Rachel attended the University of Wyoming, where she received a BA in Humanities and Fine Arts. She received an MA in Art History with a concentration in Museum Studies from the University of Denver. 

Sara Davis is a Wyoming native who has spent years shaping how the state preserves and shares its history. As the Wyoming State Archivist since 2021, she oversees the records and stories that define Wyoming's past and ensure they're accessible for its future.

Before stepping into her current role, Sara brought her expertise to some remarkable institutions: as University Archivist at the University of Wyoming's American Heritage Center, and as Project Manager and Digital Archivist for the National Association of Olmsted Parks at the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site, helping steward the legacy of the man who designed Central Park.

Sara's passion for the field runs deep enough that she's currently pursuing a PhD in Information Science at Dominican University, adding to an academic portfolio that includes a Master of Science in Library Science from Simmons University, dual bachelor's degrees from the University of Wyoming, an associate’s degree from LCCC, and a Digital Archives Specialist certificate from the Society of American Archivists.

Whether she's digitizing century-old documents or rethinking how archives serve modern communities, Sara is committed to ensuring archives represent every voice in a community and remain an open, welcoming resource for all

Elisabeth DeGrenier (dee-gren-yay) is the Supervisor of Exhibits and Programs at the Wyoming State Museum. She earned her BA in Museum Studies at Western Washington University and her MA in Public History and Historic Preservation at the University of Minnesota.

She got her start at the Western Heritage Center in Billings, MT where she learned all facets of museum work including raking up leaves.

In her current role, she oversees the public facing aspects of the museum including K-12 education, community programs, and permanent and temporary exhibits. She also serves on Cheyenne’s Historic Preservation Board and has completed national register nominations and context studies in MT and WY.

Isamel Dominguez
Wyoming Arts Council

Ismael Dominguez is the Programs Specialist for the Wyoming Arts Council with years of experience in engaging in and fostering the arts community of Wyoming. Ismael coordinates
several of the Wyoming Arts Council’s programs, such as Plein Air in the Parks, Art in Public Buildings, and Poetry Out Loud. The literary, performance, and visual arts offer representation and connection for the disparate audience of Wyoming, so providing community access to the arts is one of Ismael’s driving passions. Ismael dedicates much of his free time to
creating artwork in his studio, but can also be found outdoors enjoying the never-ending vistas of Laramie, WY.

Joe Ellis is the superintendent of South Pass City State Historic Site, where he has spent more than 20 years developing innovative ways to preserve, interpret, and share historic places. He has overseen the restoration and interpretation of numerous historic structures, including the Carissa Mine, English Tunnel, and Smith-Sherlock Company Store, as well as exhibits and interpretive experiences throughout the site’s 4.5-mile trail system. His work integrates preservation and interpretation—using historic buildings, landscapes, artifacts, and operating equipment to create engaging, experiential learning opportunities for visitors.

Mariah Emmons is the Registrar at the Wyoming State Museum. She has held this position for six years after a 15-year stint as one for their Curator of Collections. Previously, she worked as the Registrar/Preparator at Southeast Missouri State University Museum. She has a master's degree in Museum Science from Texas Tech University. With over 20 years of experience, she has helped edit, create, and write numerous policies regarding collections care. 

Robin Everett is a Wyoming native, born and raised in Wheatland. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in History from the University of Wyoming and works as a Processing Archivist for the Wyoming State Archives. In her free time, she enjoys reading history and sewing/crafting.

Gabrielle is a multi-disciplinary artist and museum professional currently serving as the Preparator for the Wyoming State Museum. Her museum career began in 2018 on the east coast in her home state of Pennsylvania at the Reading Public Museum, and eventually took her to Delaware to work on the Exhibits team at Winterthur Museum, Garden, and Library, the home of Henry Francis du Pont. She especially loves the creative problem-solving associated with her unique position which combines her fabrication skills, artistic background and engineering mindset. She has a BFA in Painting from Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia. 

 

As an artist Gabrielle has been practicing photography for nearly 20 years with a strong focus on analog processes engaging primarily with human intervention on the landscape, geologic time and transient phenomena. She is also a passionate woodworker and carpenter who loves crafting custom frames and making sculptures inspired by folk art. At the museum, mountmaking is a significant component of the job, and it has strengthened her affinity for small-scale metal-working and jewelry making, as well as incorporating her background in painting. Her career in museums galvanizes her work through proximity to history, historic preservation, and archaeology.

 

Extensive travel across the country has instilled in her a reverence for small towns and their inhabitants which has been of invaluable benefit to her artistic practice and personal ethos. Gabrielle is a dedicated yogi and in her free time enjoys reading, camping, motorcycling, and live music.

Connor C. Johnen is the GIS Supervisor for the State of Wyoming’s Historic Preservation Cultural Records Office based in Laramie, Wyoming. He has broad interests in spatial patterning within the archaeological record and is also interested in data management within the discipline of archaeology. He has worked within archaeology since 2012 and has worked specifically as a GIS specialist since 20

Stefanie (Stevie) Kowalczyk has been the Curator of Community Engagement at the Wyoming State Museum since 2025. In this position, she oversees the public programs at the museum as well as a large group of volunteers who help make it all possible. Prior to this, she spent years working in museums in New York, Minnesota, Maine, and Wyoming where, among other things, she helped work with and train volunteers in everything from collections management and research to using a point of sale and leading educational tours. She enjoys helping volunteers discover how to put their unique skill sets to work and making them feel like they are part of the team. 

Gwendolyn is a professional archaeologist and historic preservationist who is currently the Chief of Planning and Historic Contexts for the Wyoming State Historic Preservation Office. She teaches Historic Preservation as a lecturer for the American Studies program and serves on the Albany County Historic Preservation Board, the Wyoming Association of Professional Archaeologists Executive Committee, and the Lincoln Community Center Board. Her interests are primarily related to public archaeology, landscape archaeology, and community preservation. She received my MA from the University of Chicago, and my undergraduate degrees from Colorado State. In her free time, she loves to mountain bike and ski with my dogs, Ripley & Miley, and her husband Andrew.  

 

Mandy Langfald is rapidly approaching her 23rd year as the Curator of Collections for the Wyoming State Museum. She previously worked as the Registrar/Collections Manager at the Museum of Danish America. She earned her MA in Museum Studies from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and has a double BA in History and Native American Studies from Morningside College. She has decades of experience in collections care, from cataloging, storage, and custom storage builds to full collections moves, inventories, and grants. She has also contributed to the creation of many exhibits and provided guidance on artifact preservation and handling for exhibits.

Carlo Migliaccio is an interpretive ranger with the division of Wyoming State Parks. Over a 10-year career with the agency, he has worked as a seasonal interpreter at the Wyoming Territorial Prison State Historic Site, and later as a trades specialist and administrator at Glendo State Park and Edness Kimball Wilkins State Park. He finally took on the role of interpretive ranger in the Laramie District in 2023, where he has worked ever since. With a bachelor’s and master’s degree in history, Carlo has long enjoyed the practice of historical research and education. From his experience working summer camps in the early and mid-2010s, he developed a passion for non-traditional education and interpretation for students and visitors of all ages. He enjoys working with kids and families, helping them find joy and connection with cultural and natural public resources.

 

Eli Mrak is an anthropologist and bioarchaeologist at the University of Wyoming, where he works in the Department of Anthropology and serves as Manager of the University of Wyoming Human Remains Repository. He also serves as the Wyoming State Bioarchaeologist for the Office of the Wyoming State Archaeologist.

Mrak’s professional work focuses on human skeletal biology, bioarchaeology, forensic anthropology, and the ethical treatment and stewardship of human remains. His responsibilities include the analysis, documentation, curation, and management of archaeological human remains, as well as consultation and coordination related to the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act (NAGPRA). His work involves collaboration with tribal nations, state and federal agencies, museums, archaeologists, and other institutions to ensure that human remains are treated with appropriate scientific, legal, and cultural consideration.

At the University of Wyoming, Mrak teaches anthropology courses including Human Osteology and Forensic Anthropology, providing students with hands-on training in human skeletal identification, skeletal biology, and the application of anthropological methods to archaeological and forensic contexts. He is also involved in professional training and fieldwork, including work associated with the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA).

As Wyoming State Bioarchaeologist, Mrak contributes expertise in the identification and interpretation of human remains recovered from archaeological contexts throughout Wyoming. His work bridges academic research, archaeological practice, cultural resource management, and public service, with an emphasis on responsible stewardship of the archaeological record.

Marcia Peterson is a Wyoming archaeologist and lawyer. She became the Assistant Wyoming State Archaeologist in June 2015 and holds an appointment as Adjunct Professor of Anthropology at the University of Wyoming. She has Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and Anthropology, a Juris Doctor from the University of Wyoming College of Law, and a Master of Arts in Anthropology from Washington State University. Marcia has conducted research and fieldwork throughout the Rocky Mountains, High Plains, and Great Basin for over 24 years. Her research interests include high elevation and ice patch archaeology, geoarchaeology, palynology, and macrobotanical studies. Currently, her work focuses on high elevation and ice patch archaeology in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Kevin Ramler was born on a Tuesday. Twelve years later he bought a jaw harp at a museum gift shop while on a family road trip tracing the path of the Oregon Trail. After a high school job at a planetarium, he completed a BFA and MFA in studio art, and re-entered the museum field with a focus on immersive design. Through a career that has taken him across the country and across disciplines he developed an understanding of nearly every aspect of museum work, from the curatorial and educational to the operational and financial. Since 2021 Kevin has served as the Director of the Wyoming State Museum. Under his leadership the museum has deepened its engagement in the community, expanded statewide programming, doubled its annual reach, and increased revenue by more than 150%.

Morgan Stence is a Digitization Technician at the State Imaging Center. Driven by a passion for digital resources, she transitioned into this role following her work as Wyoming’s Roving Archivist. Previously, she specialized in field assessments and community outreach, helping local repositories navigate unique collections challenges. Now, she channels that hands-on experience into digital preservation, transforming physical records into secure, accessible assets to ensure state materials and community history is protected for the future. She has a masters degree in History and a concentration in Public History from Middle Tennessee State University, and loves to work with others to strengthen their archival knowledge.

 

 

Laurel Stephens is the Communications and Marketing Manager for the Wyoming Department of State Parks and Cultural Resources, where she leads agency-wide communications, marketing, branding, media relations, and public engagement efforts supporting Wyoming’s state parks, outdoor recreation, and cultural resources programs.

Originally from Georgia, Laurel developed a strong connection to the Rocky Mountain West and has lived and worked in Colorado and Wyoming since 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Georgia State University and has built a career in strategic communications and marketing across the hospitality, tourism, outdoor recreation, cultural, and public sectors.

Prior to her current role, Laurel served as Outreach Coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation, supporting statewide efforts to promote outdoor recreation, stewardship, events, and partnerships among public and private stakeholders. Before joining state government, she worked with the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce and Buffalo Bill Art Show & Sale as Marketing and Membership Coordinator, focusing on tourism promotion, membership engagement, community events, and marketing for one of the region’s longstanding Western art traditions.

Outside of work, she enjoys fishing, hiking, horseback riding, hunting, and rafting with her family, while staying connected to her performing arts roots through her background in theater and ballet, as well as her love of live performances

Jeremy Thornbrugh serves as the Curator of Education at the Wyoming State Museum, where he leads all educational programming. Over the last five years, he has expanded the museum’s educational reach to over 25,000 students annually through field trips and traveling education trunks, covering topics like dinosaurs, wildlife, conservation, culture, and history. Jeremy brings twenty years of experience creating engaging, informal educational experiences for audiences of all ages, from preschool children to senior citizens. Since graduating from Kansas State University in 2006, his career has spanned roles across accredited zoos, private sector companies, non-profit organizations, and state cultural institutions.

Cassidee Thornhill became the Collections Manager at the University of Wyoming Archaeological Repository in February 2024. She has over 14 years of archaeological experience in the High Plains, Rocky Mountains, and Great Basin regions. She has experience identifying, evaluating, and curating various archaeological resources, including pre-contact and historic artifacts and faunal remains. As Collections Manager, she works with contractors, federal and state agencies, other archaeologists, and the interested public to ensure future generations can use Wyoming’s cultural heritage for research, display, and education.

Emmaline Velasquez works for the Wyoming State Archives. She received a bachelor's and master's in history from the University of Wyoming. She has worked in museums and archives since 2021 and has been involved with digitization since 2024. Her interests include reading and spending time with her cat.

Basic Collections Management

Exhibit Basics 

Oral Histories

Disaster Preparedness

Grant Opportunities with State Parks and Cultural Resources (SPCR) 

Interpretative Writing

Advocacy: Data-Driven Storytelling

 

Legal Issues: Federal Cultural Heritage Laws

Streamlined Strategic Planning

Public Art: The Community’s Mirror

Basics of Digitization

From Collections to Connections: Practical Communications & Marketing