ABSTRACT
As a history professor and advisor for undergraduate history majors, I am constantly looking for opportunities to offer hands-on experiences in history for my students. Hands-on experiences allow them to consider history as a possible profession, and also allows them to get excited about their major. I live in the community that I studied in graduate school. It is also the home of my ancestors. For me, history is both personally and professionally satisfying. I try to bring excitement about the region into my courses and I have the opportunity to focus on the ethnic heritage of the region. Occasionally, I come across a student from southern Colorado who has an interest in history. José Antonio Ortega is one of these students. José’s work has given him the opportunity to link his personal and professional life.
