Andrew Kercher, '11

Senior Historical Interpreter, Mackinac State Historic Parks

Albion Majors: History, Philosophy

MS in Progress, Historic Preservation, Eastern Michigan University

Andrew Kercher was born in Port Huron, MI and developed an interest in history and politics at an early age. After attending Albion College, Andrew continued his work in the straits of Mackinac for the state park, working as a park interpreter in the summers and running an outreach program for elementary school students in the winter.

During his time at the state park, Andrew has taken on additional duties, such as training of new interpreters, pioneering a new voyageur interpretive program, and becoming the armorer for the state parks historic firearms collection. He plans to stay in the museum field, with hopes to someday run an interpretative program at a museum.

With what organizations were you involved as an Albion College student?

• British Eighth Marching Band
• Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia
• Nwagani Project Cameroonian service
• Symphonic Band

What is a memorable moment from your time in the Ford Institute?

I loved our trips to Lansing. As the Ford student worker, I was able to attend multiple times and help oversee the trip’s continued success year after year for the incoming freshman class. It really helps policy come out of a text book as you can see how the sausage is made, so to speak.

What advice would you give to current and prospective students?

Do as much as you can, and then do a little more. You'll have plenty of time to relax later, and you really only get one chance, don't waste even a second of it.

How have Albion and the Ford Institute prepared you for your current career?

My internship was at the state park where I still work. Knowing the ins and outs of state level politics has made it much easier to navigate the bureaucracy.

What is the outlook for positions and opportunities within your field?

There are thousands of museums and historical societies across the United States. Most of them operate on some level with a governmental organization ranging from locally owned historic homes to the internationally acclaimed National Park System.

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