Every year, the Western History Association brings together scholars, students, and community members who share an interest in the histories, stories, and lived experiences of the North American West. This year’s conference in Albuquerque, New Mexico, was no exception. My week in Albuquerque was a whirlwind of scholarship, networking, delicious food, and a few logistical hiccups, but it left me energized and grateful to be part of this community of historians.

I arrived on Tuesday as part of the graduate student staff and dove right into behind-the-scenes work. It gave me an early glimpse of the scale of the conference and a chance to meet the other grad staff members. By the end of the evening, we had organized over one thousand tote bags – which I know many of us look forward to getting each year.

Wednesday, after taking the day to walk around the city with friends, the conference officially kicked off with the opening reception at the Albuquerque Museum. The venue itself was amazing, and felt like the perfect spot for historians to come together. In between conversations, I wandered through the exhibits, learning more about the city in which I found myself for a few short days.

Thursday began early with the Environmental History breakfast, one of my favorite events of the conference. Over the course of the breakfast, scholars discussed their projects, shared advice, and caught up on each other’s progress. This year, I had the opportunity to meet some new folks at my table and even solicit a few words of wisdom as I continue working on my dissertation proposal. After breakfast, I spent the morning and early afternoon attending panels that highlighted graduate student research on water history and the histories of empire in the American West.  Next, as a member of the WHA Graduate Student Cacus, I attended the Graduate Student Caucus lunch, and I was thrilled by the turnout. There’s something energizing about being in a room full of graduate students navigating similar stages of academic life, sharing concerns, celebrating wins, and brainstorming the future of the Grad Cacus and the WHA. Plus, the food was delicious. Afterward, I took some time to catch up with old friends and wandered the city a bit. Finally, Thursday ended on a high note with the Graduate Student Reception. Leah and the 2024–25 committee truly outdid themselves in planning the event. It was lively, welcoming, and full of opportunities to connect with students from across the country.

Friday was another busy day, beginning with the Coalition for Western Women’s History breakfast. It was my first time attending, and I left feeling inspired by the incredible work being done by scholars dedicated to gender and women’s history in the West. From there, I headed straight into presenting at an 8:15 a.m. roundtable titled “New Voices in the Histories of Gender and Sexuality in the American West.” Despite the early hour, we had a strong turnout, and the audience’s engagement made the session memorable. The questions and discussion that followed affirmed the direction of my project and helped me think more deeply about its broader implications. After the roundtable, I prepared for my second presentation of the day as part of the Early-Stage Research Lightning Round. Presenting work at such an early point in my dissertation process was both vulnerable and exciting, and it was encouraging to see the support and curiosity from my fellow presenters and attendees. With my presentations complete, I allowed myself a bit of time to wander through the exhibit hall. Of course, no WHA exhibit hall experience is complete without buying a few new books. Later in the afternoon, I attended the CWWH/CRAW reception to continue conversations from the morning’s breakfast. Then, I headed to the Awards Ceremony, where I was honored to receive the graduate student prize. It was a moment that made me pause and appreciate how grateful I am for the mentorship of Leisl Carr Childers and Mike Childers which introduced to the WHA back in San Antonio in 2022. The day wrapped up with the Veterans and Allies Reception hosted by the Applied History Initiative. There, I made new connections and even began sketching out ideas for a panel I hope to submit for next year’s conference. The collaborative spirit of WHA is always strong in informal gatherings like this, where unexpected conversations spark new ideas.

Saturday, I took the morning to explore Albuquerque’s food scene and squeezed in a few final panels before shifting into travel mode. Unfortunately, a cancelled flight meant an extra night, but I eventually made it back to Champaign on Sunday, tired yet full of gratitude. Even before I left New Mexico, I found myself already making plans for next year’s conference and I already can’t wait.

Furthermore, I am incredibly grateful for the support of the WHA and the scholars I have come to call friends since my first conference in 2022. This award comes a crucial point in my trajectory as a student and being able to fully engage in the conference was more valuable than many can know. The WHA always make a point to support grad students the best they can, and it shows in their awards, the program, and the number of graduate students that participate every year. It is for this reason, among others, I am proud to be a part of the WHA, and continue to look forward to attending each year.

 

Dale Mize

University of Illinois