Spotlight on Alumni: Caroline Kleiner '20

Every year, Cornell sends off a group of academically and personally motivated leaders to pursue their passions in a diverse array of fields from government to medicine to fashion. Whether they are in Ithaca or thousands of miles away, as the saying goes: once a Cornellian, always a Cornellian. This spotlight series offers a glimpse into the lives of alumni from Cornell’s American Studies Program. Our latest feature is class of 2020 Caroline Kleiner. Having majored in American Studies with a concentration in Visual Studies and Art History while at Cornell, Kleiner was also a member of the varsity fencing team, contributor to Cornell Daily Sun's sports column, piano teacher in the Cornell Piano Society, and education intern at the Academic Programs department in the Herbert F. Johnson Museum. She is now pursuing a Master's Degree in Art History in the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. 

1. What was your favorite course in the program?

During my senior year, I took Introduction to Public History with Professor Stephen Vider. We learned about museums, archives, oral history, and exhibitions, topics I had encountered in my internship experiences but never in the classroom setting. Professor Vider utilized his experience as a museum curator to supplement class readings and lectures. As an aspiring museum curator myself, I appreciated learning about bridging the academic side of public history with the professional. In addition to its relevance to my career goals, I enjoyed the numerous field trips and creative projects that were core elements of the course.

2. What is your fondest memory of the program?

I was one of five members of the class of 2020 to write an honors thesis, and, therefore, was a part of a tight knit thesis seminar. We met bi-weekly to work on organization and strategy for writing our very different theses, and I appreciated the opportunity to tackle this immense project together with other students in the program. 

3. How are you utilizing the skills you learned in the AMST program in your daily life?

The American Studies Program's unique approach to crafting a major with no required classes enabled me to gain a genuinely interdisciplinary education. I took courses in law, film, art, music, history, and literature, which allows me now, as an art historian in training, to make connections across the liberal arts that I may not have been able to draw out had I not had the opportunity to take this wide array of courses.

4. Are you currently at a place you envisioned yourself being in while in college?

Because of American Studies’ unique approach to crafting a major, I was able to explore numerous academic paths before deciding what my academic and professional future would hold. I concentrated in Visual Studies and am now enrolled in a master’s program in art history at the Courtauld Institute of Art in London. I arrived at Cornell with no idea what the future would hold, but the American Studies Program helped me find my academic and professional niche.

5. What's one piece of advice you have for current Cornellians?

Study abroad! This may be ironic advice from an American Studies major, but studying in a new setting for a semester or even a year is a great way to broaden your academic horizons, create connections, and gain valuable life experience. I studied abroad for a year, first in London and then at the Cornell in Washington program, two experiences that made my Cornell career unique and memorable, and one I would highly recommend.

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