Becky Pratt-Sturges, an associate teaching professor of museum studies and art history, has led the revitalization of the museum studies program. She talked to The NAU Review about coming to NAU as a student, the pressing issues facing museums and why the President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow award, which she recently won, means so much to her.
Tell us about the Museum Studies program.
I designed the program to create meaningful learning experiences that help students develop real-world skills, build professional portfolios and prepare for internships, graduate school and careers in cultural heritage and related fields.
After researching some of the most pressing challenges facing museums and cultural institutions today and investigating the legal and ethical issues surrounding the repatriation of ancient artifacts and the restitution of art stolen by the Nazis during World War II, next spring the program will have a new course on blood antiquities, which examines how looted ancient objects move through global criminal networks and generate funding for terrorism, arms trafficking, violence and other illicit activities. This course will bring together history, archaeology, art history, museum studies, ethics, law and criminology, giving students an opportunity to uncover the complex and often surprising stories behind objects in museum collections.
Tell us about your history at NAU.
I’m a proud Lumberjack! I earned my B.A. in art history at NAU before completing my M.A. and Ph.D. in art history at Arizona State University. In 2013, I returned to NAU and joined the Department of Comparative Cultural Studies. Since then, I have taught more than 30 courses across humanities, art history and museum studies. Today, I primarily teach museum studies courses, where I help students explore everything from digital exhibition design and museum practice to specialized topics such as art crime, exhibit development and the repatriation and restitution of different kinds of cultural heritage.
What does winning the President’s Distinguished Teaching Fellow award mean to you?
As an NAU alum, receiving this award means a great deal to me. Over the past four years, I led the revitalization of the Museum Studies program, transforming it into a dynamic, career-focused curriculum that combines hands-on learning and innovative teaching practices. My focus is always helping students connect classroom learning to their future goals. I also mentor students through internships, undergraduate research, graduate school applications and career exploration.
The award is an engraved medal, and I felt incredibly proud to wear it at commencement while celebrating with my students. Above all, I felt humbled by the nomination and grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a university community that has given so much to me.