Public History M.A. student Tatiana Moore named UNK’s 2024 Graduate Student of the Year

Public History Master of Arts student Tatiana Moore is making history at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as the third recipient of the Graduate Student of the Year award. 
 
Although a native of Norfolk, Moore considers UNK home. After graduating in 2020 with a History Education B.A.Ed., she returned to her former high school in Norfolk to teach history.  
 
“I loved being in the classroom, but I realized that I wanted to teach history in a different way,” she said. 
 
Moore returned home once again, but this time to her alma mater of UNK to pursue her master’s degree. 
 
A current Graduate Assistant for UNK’s History department, Moore has also worked as a Graduate Teaching Assistant for the History department and as a Graduate Assistant for UNK’s Office of Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation. 
 

“I have had the pleasure of knowing Tawny for many years,” said Dean of Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation Dr. Mark Ellis, who served as a research advisor for Moore during her undergraduate career. 
 
“It has been an absolute pleasure to be a small part of her journey here at UNK and to watch her transform into a remarkable and hardworking young professional. Our entire team is thrilled to present her with this award,” Dr. Ellis continued. 
 
Moore was also a founding member of UNK’s Graduate Student Association and recently was honored at UNK’s Applauding Excellence awards night as the Student Organization Leader of the Year.  
 
She serves on the Loper Launch advisory committee, is a College of Arts and Sciences student representative for UNK Graduate Council, has been a student editor for UNK’s graduate journal the Graduate Review, and conducted research at Sidney, Nebraska’s Sioux Ordnance Depot. 
 

“Her research on the Sioux Ordnance Depot has not only pushed the boundaries of existing knowledge but has paved the way for innovative approaches within the field of public history,” UNK history assistant professor Dr. Amber Alexander wrote in her nomination. 
 
“She has already begun presenting her work to the community and the academy, which has been met with tremendous interest and awards,” Dr. Alexander continued. 
 
With the many awards Moore has received during her time at UNK, you would think she would be used to hearing her name called to accept another award. Yet, she says she “was not expecting it.” 
 
“This is quite the honor,” Moore said. “I would just like to say thank you to this entire office, the Graduate Studies and Academic Innovation, and the Graduate Council, and everybody that I've had the chance to work with over the last few years. I have truly had an amazing experience at UNK, and it makes it very hard to leave.”