Earlier this year, as part of Lived Heritage Studies LLC, I successfully completed a project for the Historic Preservation Program at the University of Vermont (UVM) to help them create a “curricular vision” for their program. This project was catalyzed by UVM’s proposal, in 2020, to terminate many low-enrollment graduate programs, including the Historic Preservation Program, which is one of the oldest in the country. The call for consulting services asked for the development of a curricular vision with a focus on a limited residency format “in ways that maximize the strengths offered by the [program] and its preservation partners.” In particular, UVM was interested in a consultant with “knowledge of broad trends in the field of historic preservation in America and its subject of preservation education [including] diversity, inclusion, equity, social justice, ecological sustainability, and energy efficiency, as well as more traditional subjects that are essential components of education for professionals in the field.” UVM also wanted a consultant who could interview the directors of online degree programs, alumni, directors of potentially allied programs at UVM, current and future preservation partners, and leaders in equity and inclusion in the field.
I successfully conducted the research for the report, within the desired time frame and, working with the Historic Preservation Program’s faculty, produced and delivered a final report that was well received. Dr. Robert McCullough, Professor and Director of the Historic Preservation Program at UVM, shared his thoughts on the work of Lived Heritage Studies LLC:
“Jeremy, from Lived Heritage Studies LLC, helped create a curriculum vision for our historic preservation degree program. He quickly produced a report, based on interviews with tens of stakeholders, that will hopefully sustain our program into the future. The vision he helped create focuses on innovative ways to move our program into a limited residency format that incorporates best practices in people-centered preservation, integration with environmental conservation, and developing partnerships with allies. We’re very happy with the results.”
If you direct a post-secondary, historic preservation or built heritage conservation program, we can also help you develop a more sustainable, vibrant program that incorporates current trends in scholarship and practice. We’re the only consultancy that focuses on ways to make the practice and education of built heritage conservation more people-centered. Contact us today.