Tonia Merideth
Williamsburg,VA
Summary
History professional prepared to contribute extensive knowledge and teaching expertise to academic institutions. Proven track record in developing innovative course materials and facilitating stimulating classroom discussions. Known for collaborative spirit and dependable in adapting to evolving academic needs, with strengths in research methodology and curriculum design. Specializes in oral history methodology.
Overview
19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Oral Historian
William & Mary
11.2022 - Current
- Created oral history archive of descendant community and other key project partners for the rediscovery and re-siting of the Williamsburg Bray School
- Arranged and analyzed historical information to evaluate significance and organize representations while highlighting findings.
- Collaborated with fellow historians on interdisciplinary projects, fostering a greater appreciation for diverse perspectives.
- Identified and conserved documents, records and maps of historical significance.
- Consistent engagement with the descendant community as equal partners
- Worked closely with the project genealogist to locate descendants of the Bray School student through oral history research
Historic Interpreter
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
05.2022 - 11.2022
- Interpreted eighteenth-century colonial life to visitors. Assist guests with understanding the lived experiences of the gentry, middle class and the enslaved population of colonial Williamsburg pre-revolution.
- Engaged in extensive research related to the eighteenth century Atlantic world guided by lead interpreters and senior researchers of the foundatioin
Graduate Assistant
Sam Houston State University
08.2020 - 05.2022
- Managed administrative tasks such as grading, scheduling, and record-keeping to ensure smooth operations within academic departments.
- Served as a liaison between faculty members and students for addressing concerns or issues related to coursework or academic policies.
- Facilitated student success by identifying areas of improvement and providing constructive feedback on assignments and exams.
- Updated departmental websites and social media accounts with relevant, engaging content.
- Expanded professional network through active participation in university-wide events, conferences, seminars, or training sessions.
- Taught two history survey courses for over 50 students twice per semester
Admissions Coordinator
Northwestern State University
10.2006 - 02.2008
- Managed admissions processes for incoming students, promptly collecting and processing necessary documents.
- Optimized communication strategies between departments involved in the admissions process, fostering collaboration and efficiency.
- Collaborated with admissions team to develop and implement strategies to improve admissions process.
Education
Master of Arts - History
Sam Houston State University
05-2022
Bachelor of Arts - History
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TX08-2020
Skills
- Historical Research
- Oral History Methodology
- Community Engagement
- Genealogy
- Public Humanities
Certification
Oral History Certificate - OHA/Baylor University 2023
Columbia INCITE Oral History Summer Institute 2023
Political Science Certificate - Sam Houston State University 2024
Teaching Experience
Graduate Assistant - Sam Houston State University
Survey Courses - History 1301 History to 1876 - Professor Roseanne Barker (Fall 2020, Spring 2021)
Survey Courses - History 1302 History 1876 to Present - Professor Nancy Baker (Fall 2021) Kristin Henze (Spring 2022)
Lecturer, William & Mary - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The Williamsburg Bray School - Spring 2024
Lecturer, William & Mary - Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
The Williamsburg Bray School, The Story Continues - Spring 2025
Guest Lecturer - William & Mary
Historian's Craft - Dr. Adrienne Petty - Fall 2024
Oral History Methodology, The Williamsburg Bray School Oral History Project
Supervisor - CHiP Internship, William & Mary - Office of Strategic Cultural Partnerships
Oral History Internship
Summer 2023, 2024, 2025
Conference Presentations
"Education and the Great Migration: The Last Tick for Segregation." Association for the Study of African American Life and History Annual Conference. A Century of Emancipation. Montgomery, Alabama. September 29-October 1, 2022
"Education and the Great Migration: The Last Tick for Segregation." East Texas Historical Association Fall Conference. Nacogdoches, TX. October 13-15, 2022.
"The Emotional Cost of Rediscovery - Engaging with the Williamsburg Bray School Descendants."Oral History in the Mid-Atlantic Region Conference. Exploring the Human and Financial Toll of Oral History Conference. Philadelphia, PA. March 29-April 1, 2023.
"Expanding the Narrative at William & Mary: Oral Histories, Descendant Communities and Liberatory Pedagogy."Johnson, Jajuan; Taylor, Andre; Merideth, Tonia. Oral History Association Annual Conference Oral History As/And Education: Teaching and Learning in the Classroom and Beyond. Baltimore, Maryland. October 18-21, 2023
"Hard History: The Williamsburg Bray School." Elgersman Lee, Maureen; Drembus, Elizabeth. Virginia Alliance of Museums Annual Conference. Virginia Beach, VA, March 2-4, 2025
"Lost Stories Found: Illuminating Forgotten Narratives." The Williamsburg Bray School.Oral History Association Annual Conference 2024. Bridging Past, Present and Future. Cincinnati, OH. October 29-November 2, 2024.
"Resilience Through Cooperation - Bray School Lab & CHiP." 15th Annual Lemon Symposium, Undefeated! Black Resilience Through Resistance, Creativity and Cooperation. William & Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia. March 21 & 22, 2025.
Publications
Articles
“Education and the Great Migration.” The Measure: A Journal of Undergraduate Research 4 (September 21, 2020): 49–63. https://doi.org/https://measure-ojs-shsu.tdl.org/measure/issue/view/4.
“The Battle of Bennington.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, April 1, 2017. https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/battle-of-bennington/.
“The Emotional Cost of Rediscovery - Engaging with the Williamsburg Bray School Descendants.” In Journal of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society 40 (June 28, 2023): 45–48.
Articles in Progress
"The Re-Emergence of Isaac Bee" - Merideth, Tonia, Drembus, Elizabeth; Brown, Nicole.
Book Chapter Contributions
Elgersman Lee, Maureen, Brown Nicole, Editors. "By Which They Might Be Distinguished" In The Williamsburg Bray School: A History Through Records, Reflection and Rediscovery." (Williamsburg: Colonial Williamsburg Press, 2024.), Pg. 85.
Keynote Engagements
Journey to Racial Healing - 3rd Annual Coming to the Table National Day of Racial Healing - Williamsburg, VA - June 26, 2024 (Keynote with Rev. Dr. Robert W. Lee)
Wisconsin Black Historical Society Black History Month Program - "Education and the Great Migration - The Last Tick for Segregation." - February 24, 2025
Lone Star College CyFair Commencement Guest Speaker - May 10, 2025
Williamsburg Presbyterian Church - 'The Williamsburg Bray School" - June 7, 2025
Affiliations
- Oral History Association
- Wisconsin Black Historical Society
- Afro-American History and Genealogical Society
- Association for the Study of African American Life and History
- Phi Alpha Theta National Honor Society
- Phi Theta Kappa National Honor Society
Timeline
Oral Historian
William & Mary
11.2022 - Current
Historic Interpreter
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation
05.2022 - 11.2022
Graduate Assistant
Sam Houston State University
08.2020 - 05.2022
Admissions Coordinator
Northwestern State University
10.2006 - 02.2008
Master of Arts - History
Sam Houston State University
Bachelor of Arts - History
Sam Houston State University
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