Katherine Otis

Katherine Otis, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of History and Program Director of History at William Peace University. She specializes in twentieth-century U.S. social and cultural history, with focuses on civil rights, African American history, women’s history, the U.S. South, aging studies, and oral history.

• Education: BA in History from The College of William & Mary, MA and Ph.D. in History from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Her research explores intersections of aging, cultural identity, and social change. She co-edits the university's Honors Committee and Peace Commitment to Community Taskforce, leveraging oral history methodologies to document underrepresented narratives.

Dr. Otis' publications include analyses of age-restricted communities, regional histories, and biographical entries like her work on Maggie Kuhn. Her writing bridges historical scholarship with contemporary social issues, particularly aging populations.

• Miller Center of Public Affairs Fellowship (2006-2007)
• UNC Graduate School Centennial Award for Research Benefitting North Carolina (2003)
• William & Mary Highest Honors in History & American Studies (1996)

She actively collaborates with students and institutions on oral history projects, emphasizing community engagement and practical applications of historical research.