I fell in love with history while exploring Civil War battlefields as a kid but it was my experiences at Lehigh that taught me about the intersection of history and real-world issues. My professors and fellow students showed me how to direct my passion for history and use it as a tool for creating meaningful dialogue in my community. I first set foot on Lehigh’s campus as an undergraduate student in 2007 and by the time I left with my Master’s degree in 2014 I learned the value of historical research and its applications beyond the walls of Maginnes Hall. Some of my favorite memories from my time at Lehigh are from public history and digital humanities projects that brought community members from Lehigh and Bethlehem together to discuss ongoing issues and their hopes for the future. Lehigh taught me to continue to be curious about the relationship between historical research and ongoing community needs and the creative ways we can engage with our past.