Carmen Bolt

Carmen is a graduate student at American University pursuing her Ph.D. in History with a focus on public history and environmental history. She earned her BA and MA in History with a concentration in Public History from Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. She comes to AU from William & Mary where she worked as Oral Historian for the past three years. Her research interests include oral history, public memory, and disaster studies, and she is particularly interested in how communities are impacted by and respond to disaster events. Carmen is passionate about finding ethical methods of holding space for individuals to share their stories and highlighting story as a tool for pursuing social justice. She believes that story is the ultimate means of telling a more complete history and is arguably the most valuable resource we have in understanding who and what and why we are. Working with the Humanities Truck provides the ideal opportunity to come alongside partners in the D.C. community, listen to their stories, and collaborate on how to amplify their collective voices in a meaningful and honoring way. She is most excited about learning from community members and most nervous about driving the truck whenever that day comes.