معرفی
Mary Beth Fraser Connolly is a Continuing Lecturer in the History Department at Purdue University Northwest, serving as the concurrent enrollment liaison for history. Her work focuses on US, gender, women’s, and religious history, with a specialization in Catholic women’s experiences in the 19th and 20th centuries. She currently researches the impact of missionary work on the spiritual perspectives of Sisters of Mercy.
Education:
- Ph.D. in US History, The Catholic University of America
- M.A. in US and Women’s History, SUNY Binghamton
- B.A., John Carroll University
Research Interests: Connolly explores intersections between gender, religion, and institutional structures in American Catholicism. Her work emphasizes women’s roles in religious communities and the evolution of Catholic identities through missionary activities and Vatican II reforms. She integrates digital humanities into teaching, enabling students to engage with primary sources like Sister Justina’s journal via online exhibits.
Previous Roles:
- Assistant Director of the Lilly Fellows Program, Valparaiso University (2010–2015)
- Historian for the Sisters of Mercy, Chicago Regional Community (2006–2010)
Labs/Teams: Collaborates on digital history projects such as The American Catholic History Classroom, showcasing primary source analysis through online platforms.
