UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Administrator
- External Affairs and Membership Coordinator
Alex Olson is a printmaker and arts administrator with strong development experience. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for the arts, Alex has worked with local arts organizations to create impactful fundraising appeals and membership campaigns. Her artwork has been featured in several publications including Lawrence and Topeka Magazines. Alex holds a BFA in printmaking from Washburn University and is pursuing an MA from Wichita State University. She currently serves as president on the Sunrise Project's Board of Directors.
Job Titles:
- Grant Writer and Project Coordinator
As Grant Writer and Project Coordinator, Alex oversees and implements the Spencer's funding roadmap to support exhibitions, programs, research, and special projects. Alex has experience in arts education, arts and health research, and has an interdisciplinary arts practice. They hold a BA in psychology from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and an MFA in visual art from Pennsylvania State University.
Job Titles:
- Mellon Foundation Global Contemporary and Asian Art Intern
Job Titles:
- US Department of Education Partners in Education across Kansas ( PEAK ) Intern
As the PEAK (Partners in Education Across Kansas) Intern, Brittney assists the Spencer's education department. She believes strongly in access to art education and its benefits to learning within and outside a traditional classroom setting. She has worked at the Spencer since 2024 and is currently a masters student in the museum studies program. She holds BAs in history, philosophy, and art history.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director for Public Practice and Curatorial, Director of Academic Programs
Job Titles:
- Visitor Experience Student Assistant
Doug has worked at the Spencer Museum since 2005. As Exhibition Designer, he ensures the safe and effective display of works within the Museum's collection and collaborates with artists whose works are loaned for exhibition. He designs and builds mounts, pedestals, and frames and prepares other aspects of exhibition design, including painting, lighting, and setting up video, sound, and digital displays. Doug's interests include staying up-to-date on new technologies that are used in contemporary art. He has a BFA in sculpture from the University of Maryland and has completed coursework in engineering and interactive design at the University of Minnesota and KU.
Job Titles:
- Loo Global Indigenous Art & Lifeways Intern
As the Loo Global Indigenous Art and Lifeways Intern, Eli assists with the curation, acquisition, and care of the Spencer Museum's Global Indigenous Arts collection, which spans cultures, time periods, and media. In addition to conducting research and archival work, Eli aids in the NAGPRA process, building relationships with Tribal Nations and facilitating repatriation. Eli is currently pursuing an MA in the history of art with a Certificate in museum studies at the University of Kansas. He previously worked at The Watermill Center on Long Island, New York, and holds a BA in performance studies and linguistics from Harvard University.
Job Titles:
- Director of External Affairs
As Director of External Affairs, Elizabeth oversees the Museum's marketing and communications strategy, including print and web content, public affairs and media relations, social media, marketing, and advertising. She has worked at the Spencer since 2014, and at the University of Kansas since 2012. Her professional interests include publishing and using language to make the arts more publicly accessible. She holds a BS in journalism, BA in art history, and Master of Public Administration, all from the University of Kansas.
Job Titles:
- Brosseau Communications Assistant
Job Titles:
- Berkley Collections Intern
Job Titles:
- Student Curatorial Assistant
Job Titles:
- Student Administrative Assistant
As a Student Administrative Assistant, Isabella helps answer calls and respond to emails sent to the Spencer Museum from members of the public. She has worked at the Spencer since 2023. Isabella is a University of Kansas student majoring in journalism and mass communications and minoring in art history and plans to graduate in 2026. She is also an arts and culture contributor to the University Daily Kansan, KU's student newspaper.
Job Titles:
- Production Manager
- Senior Graphic Designer
As the graphic designer at the Spencer Jeffrey is responsible for the visual identity of the Museum across print and digital media.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Director for Operations and Innovation
Jennifer Talbott began her career at the Spencer Museum of Art in 2005. As Deputy Director for Operations and Innovation, she oversees budget and finances, grant and foundation management, digital initiatives, human resources, communications and creative services, building facilities and security, and legal matters. A graduate of the University of Kansas, Jennifer holds a BS in mathematics education, an MS in teaching and leadership, and an MA and PhD coursework in art history. Prior to joining the Spencer, Jennifer taught mathematics at the collegiate and high school levels.
As Collection Manager at the Spencer Museum of Art, Josie is responsible for maintaining the physical well-being and documentation of the collection, contributing research and content knowledge for the Global Indigenous Art and Lifeways collection and related exhibitions, class visits, scholarly and tribal requests, and conducting public outreach. She has a BA in history from the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma, and an MA in museum studies from the University of Central Oklahoma.
Job Titles:
- Visitor Experience Student Assistant
Job Titles:
- Curator of Works on Paper
As Curator of Works on Paper, Kate manages the Spencer's collection of over 27,000 prints, drawings, and photographs. She collaborates with faculty, staff, students and the public across disciplines to integrate the visual arts into the teaching and research of the University by facilitating educational access to the Goddard Study Center and Brosseau Learning Center. Kate completed her PhD at the University of Kansas in American art history in 2011 with her dissertation, "Broken Ground: Plowing and America's Cultural Landscape in the 1930s."
Job Titles:
- Visitor Experience Specialist
Kevin has worked at KU since 2009 on various teams. He brings his extensive knowledge of the campus and Lawrence to the Spencer's Visitors Experience Team. Kevin holds a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Master of Business Administration, both from the University of Kansas.
Job Titles:
- Director of Education and Interpretation
Kristina Walker has worked at the Spencer since 1997 and currently serves as Director of Education and Interpretation. She oversees the development, production, and evaluation of interpretive materials and experiences that engage visitors with the Museum's collection, special exhibitions, and projects. Kristina holds a BFA in art history and an MA in visual art education with an emphasis in art museum education, both from the University of Kansas. Her professional interests include digital technologies and interpretation, and professional development for K-12 educators.
Job Titles:
- Student Tour and Engagement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Executive Assistant to the Director
- Spencer Museum of Art in 2025 As Executive Assistant
Laura Coker joined the Spencer Museum of Art in 2025 as Executive Assistant to the Director. She brings extensive experience in membership engagement, project management, and communications - including leadership roles at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. At the Spencer, she supports the Director's office and collaborates across departments to advance the Museum's mission of connecting art and ideas.
Job Titles:
- Mellon Foundation Public Practice Intern
Job Titles:
- Lee Engagement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Education Program Coordinator for the Ingrid
- Lee Engagement Coordinator
Liz Pfeiffer is the Education Program Coordinator for the Ingrid and J.K. Lee Study Center, supporting research and facilitating innovative cross-disciplinary engagement opportunities with the collection of the Spencer Museum of Art. Liz also assists with day-to-day operations and programs held in the Stephen H. Goddard Study Center and the Jack & Lavon Brosseau Center for Learning. She holds a BS in education from Stephens College and an MA in information science and learning technologies from the University of Missouri. In 2020 Liz completed a one-year program of study as a Midorikai student of the Urasenke Gakuen Professional College of Chado in Kyoto, Japan.
As Collections Assistant at the Spencer Museum of Art, Lori manages the organization of object storage for the Museum's collection while adhering to the proper standard of collections care. She has worked at the Spencer since September 2023, and previously worked as a museum registrar in the Texas Panhandle for about 5 years where she gained experience working with various museum collections. She holds a BA in anthropology with a minor in history from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas.
Job Titles:
- European & American Art Intern
Job Titles:
- Marilyn Stokstad Director
Job Titles:
- Loo Family Education Intern
Job Titles:
- Creative Services Student Assistant
Job Titles:
- School and Educator Engagement Coordinator
Job Titles:
- Visitor Experience Student Assistant
Job Titles:
- Curator for Global Indigenous Art and Lifeways
Job Titles:
- Director of Creative Services
Job Titles:
- Marilyn Stokstad Director
Job Titles:
- Exhibition Specialist: Matter / Framer
Job Titles:
- Head of Collection Management
Job Titles:
- Associate Director / Senior Curator Emeritus
Job Titles:
- Curator of European and American Art
Job Titles:
- Curator for Public Practice
The Spencer Museum of Art at the University of Kansas has announced the hiring of Sydney Pursel as the institution's first curator for public practice.
Job Titles:
- Director of Exhibitions & Installation
Job Titles:
- Financial and Office Manager