Sierra Rooney

Dr. Sierra Rooney is an Associate Professor of Art History at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, specializing in U.S. art, public monuments, and gender studies. She holds a PhD from Stony Brook University and an MA from The City College of New York (CUNY). Her research focuses on public art’s role in societal dialogue, particularly regarding gender and historical representation. She co-edited Teachable Monuments (2021) and leads the digital humanities project Monumental Women, documenting U.S. monuments to historic women.

Her work explores controversies in commemoration, such as suffrage memorials and transnational monuments. She received the 2023 Preservation Alliance of La Crosse Heritage Award for her Hear, Here Project. Courses taught include Museum Studies and Public Art in the U.S., emphasizing socially engaged pedagogy. Ongoing projects include a book on women’s statues and digital mapping initiatives.