Keeping History Alive: A Museum Administration Alumnus at Ellis Island

Originally from Floral Park, NY, Mr. Brandon earned his bachelor’s degree in history from Hunter College and was eager to break into the museum field. That path opened when he connected with Susan Rosenberg, Ph.D., Professor and Founding Director of the Museum Administration, Master of Arts program. “The program sets you up with really high expectations, and I really suffered from imposter syndrome at first,” he recalled. “Eventually, I confided in Dr. Rosenberg about my struggles, and she really instilled confidence in me. After that, she met with me for weekly check-ins and created an environment for me to learn and grow.”

Dr. Rosenberg remembers his early days in the program. “Nick's meticulous work as a historian, researcher, and writer consistently impressed me throughout his work in the MA Museum Administration program—as did his devotion to every aspect of collections management,” she said. “This has paid off enormously in the many internships and job positions through which he has grown his expertise in this unique area of museum practice.”

With this foundation and newfound motivation, he quickly gained hands-on experience. His first graduate role as a Collections Assistant at the Suffolk County Vanderbilt Museum and Planetarium prepared him to manage collections and collaborate with fellow aspiring museum professionals. The following summer, he joined the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY, a perfect fit for his passion for baseball history. The paid internship offered comprehensive training, from digitizing collections and assisting with art transit, to teaching proper object-handling techniques, along with workshops and professional development opportunities that broadened his skills.

During the Fall 2023 semester, Mr. Brandon worked as a Museum Educator at the New York Transit Museum. The following semester he started interning at The Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Registrar’s Office, working at both simultaneously. During this time, he learned the thorough processes involved in transporting and documenting priceless works, critical steps in protecting collections and maintaining institutional agreements. 

Weekly lectures on the operations of an encyclopedic museum broadened his perspective on the many roles required to keep such a vast institution running smoothly. “It was definitely out of my comfort zone as a non–art historian,” he explained, “but it was an excellent and productive experience.”

That openness to new experiences soon translated into real-world opportunities.

“When Nick obtained an internship at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, it showed us how, through a kind of osmosis, the program imparts knowledge about art to students from many different academic backgrounds,” Dr. Rosenberg commented. “As we have now seen this scenario repeated, we realized that a wealth of previously unforeseeable opportunities can become available to students who remain open to a wide range of learning outcomes and job outcomes.” 

Soon after graduation, Mr. Brandon joined the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site as a Museum Technician, managing its extensive 3D collection, cataloguing, documenting artifacts, and coordinating inventory placement. In conjunction with this position he also worked at Theodore Roosevelt’s Birthplace in Manhattan, preparing items for relocation and conservation when needed.

Today, he draws on his experience as he shapes how millions of visitors to Ellis Island encounter and connect with immigrant histories. As a Museum Technician, he ensures that the stories attached to each artifact are carefully and accurately presented.  Mr. Brandon’s work also encompasses the preservation of artifacts.  He plays a direct part in shaping how visitors connect with the immigrant histories on display. He credits the Museum Administration program for opening the doors to his career and encourages students who are curious about the program to “make that jump.”

“You will be supported,” he said. “I got through this program without an art background—and look where I am now. Every day I’m reminded that these objects represent real people’s lives and journeys. Preserving and sharing those stories with the public is what makes this work so meaningful to me.”