Jessica Nelson

Jessica Nelson is a Visiting Assistant Professor of History at Lake Forest College, specializing in Early American History, Latin American History, Indigenous History, and Women’s and Gender History. Her work focuses on colonial religious institutions, transnational indigenous identity, and gendered dimensions of colonialism.

Education:

• PhD, Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey
• MA, New York University
• BA, University of Notre Dame

Research Interests: Dr. Nelson examines indigenous women’s agency within colonial religious frameworks, particularly in Mexico and the United States. Her scholarship highlights how indigenous communities negotiated spiritual and political autonomy through convents, missionary schools, and cross-border networks.

Recent Work Trends: Her articles analyze 18th-19th century religious institutions like the Siete Príncipes Convent and Moor’s Indian Charity School, emphasizing gendered power dynamics and transnational indigenous solidarity.

Awards:

• Andrew W. Mellon Dissertation Fellow
• Fulbright English Teaching Assistant
• Best History Honor Thesis (Notre Dame)

Grants/Labs: No specific grants or labs mentioned, though her Mellon Fellowship supported dissertation research. Active in presenting at conferences like the American Historical Association and the Newberry Library seminars.