Helen Wallace MacDonald
Independent Contractor
- I am a specialist in cultural heritage and information science with extensive experience across libraries, special collections, archives, corporations, museums, nonprofits, and foundations in the United States and internationally. My academic background includes studies at Sarah Lawrence College, Johns Hopkins University, UCLA, and the Harvard Humanitarian Academy, complemented by professional training and diverse fieldwork.
My career has encompassed rigorous archival research, scholarly editorial support, interpretive planning, content development, exhibition design, architectural coordination, business development contracts administration, and nonprofit program management. I began my professional journey as a litigation defense law firm, honing skills in research, documentation, legal process management, and client communications. This legal and administrative foundation deepened through roles as a nonprofit manager, where I oversaw community outreach initiatives, staff and volunteer coordination, grant writing, budget management, and program evaluation for organizations focused on advocacy and cultural engagement.
As a specialist and consultant, I have contributed my expertise to a wide range of organizations, including major cultural institutions, design studios, national foundations, and community-driven nonprofits. Notable projects include:
- ilmi Science Discovery & Innovation Center in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, a STEAM-focused museum developed for youth and varied learners, emphasizing inclusive and immersive educational design.
- Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and regional museum initiatives across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, with emphasis on life sciences, STEM education, climate change, art, and evolution in public programming.
- Collaborations with national and presidential libraries and museums in the United States, such as the Obama Presidential Center, William J. Clinton Presidential Library, the Museum of Civil Rights founded by Rev. Al Sharpton, the White House Historical Association, and the National Museum of African American History & Culture.
- Contributions to nonprofit and foundation programs including the Annenberg Foundation's Metabolic Studio, USC Shoah Foundation’s Dimensions in Testimony, and the Elegba Folklore Society.
- Exhibition production and collections management for institutions such as the Catalina Museum for Art & History, the Museum of Jurassic Technology, and the Brooklyn Museum.
- Editorial and research support for oral history and narrative scholarship, including projects with historian Jean Stein.
In addition to my project work, I serve on several boards that address cultural preservation, education, and community criminal justice, lending my expertise to strategic planning, program development, and organizational sustainability. These board appointments further demonstrate my commitment to interdisciplinary collaboration and positive impact on cultural and educational sectors. Throughout my career, I have provided detailed expertise in organizing, preserving, interpreting, and presenting cultural and scientific materials. My roles have ensured the delivery of complex archival, exhibition, and public engagement projects while supporting interdisciplinary collaborations in the fields of history, science, and art.
- Universities attended -
- Arizona State University
- ISDI Parsons : Atlas Skill Tech University - Associate Bachelors in Product Design
- Savannah College of Art & Design - M.A in Creative Business Leadership
- Preferred format of mentorship - Flexible / I’m open to different formats
- Time zone - EST
- Your general weekly avability for sessions - Tu/W/Th/F
- Any additional information you’d like to share with us? -
- Currently residing in the Savannah, US. Might change my location in few months but will keep you informed about anything in advance.
- Brief Summary of Your Research Interests.
- My research interests center on equity in education, mentoring practices, and the experiences of international and underrepresented students in STEM fields. I explore how advising relationships, institutional structures, and intercultural dynamics shape student success and sense of belonging. I am also passionate about translating research into practice through inclusive pedagogy and mentoring frameworks.
- Please describe your past experience mentoring or teaching students.
- I have over five years of experience mentoring and teaching students across diverse educational levels, from high school to doctoral programs. As a Ph.D. graduate in Engineering Education Systems & Design, I have guided students through research projects, supported their academic writing, and helped them navigate complex educational systems—particularly international and first-generation students. I’ve taught qualitative research methods, facilitated intercultural learning workshops, and supported STEM outreach programs aimed at increasing access for underrepresented groups. My mentoring style is student-centered, empathetic, and focused on empowering learners to explore their interests with confidence and curiosity.
- List 3–5 example project ideas students could pursue with your guidance.
- Archival Exploration and Historical Research: Delve into original documents, photos, and artifacts to uncover untold stories from diverse communities, such as human rights history, cultural movements, or regional heritage. Methods include research strategies, source analysis, oral history collection, and digital archiving.
- Museum Exhibition Design and Interpretive Planning: Explore the full process of developing engaging exhibitions that combine storytelling with architecture and educational outcomes. Students learn to weave narratives for different audiences, coordinate spatial planning with design principles, and incorporate interactive and multimedia elements.
- Public Memory and Oral Histories: Conduct interviews and build oral history projects documenting community experiences and personal stories. This includes learning ethical interviewing practices, transcription, and creating accessible presentations that preserve and communicate living history.
- Community Advocacy and Criminal Justice Research: Investigate contemporary issues in community justice, legal reform, and social equity by analyzing policy, studying grassroots efforts, and designing outreach campaigns. Projects encourage civic engagement and critical thinking about law, history, and society.
- Cultural and Scientific Intersections in STEM: Design projects integrating scientific concepts with cultural contexts, such as sustainability practices in museums, climate change communications, or interactive STEAM exhibits. This fosters cross-disciplinary creativity and practical problem-solving skills.
- Nonprofit Program Development and Impact Evaluation: Research and design programming for nonprofits focused on culture, education, or social justice. Students learn how to assess program effectiveness, write grant proposals, and plan outreach efforts that engage communities effectively.
- Digital Preservation and Collections Management: Gain experience with digitizing archives, managing metadata, and curating digital exhibitions that make cultural and scientific collections accessible online. This includes using professional cataloging standards and software tools.
- Board Governance and Organizational Strategy: Understand how boards and nonprofit leadership shape cultural and community institutions by studying real-world governance challenges, strategic planning, and collaborative decision-making processes.
- What types of final deliverables can your students expect to produce?
- Research paper
- Literature review
- Data analysis report
- Podcast or video
- Infographic or digital design
- Presentation or oral defense
- Any additional project themes, trending ideas, or real-world challenges you’d love to explore with motivated high school students?
- Bridging the Digital Divide in Education: Exploring access to technology and internet as a barrier to learning in underserved communities—and designing potential solutions. Mental Health and Academic Pressure in High-Achieving Students: Investigating the social and psychological impacts of competitive academic environments and proposing interventions. Sustainable Innovation in Engineering and Design: Examining how engineers can create environmentally responsible solutions to global challenges like waste, energy, or water access. Bias in Algorithms and Tech Design: Analyzing how social biases can become embedded in AI systems and exploring ways to promote fairness and accountability. Culturally Responsive Curriculum Design: Researching how school curricula can be made more inclusive of diverse histories, perspectives, and learning styles.
- 🗣️ Communication & Presentation
- Academic writing (papers, reports)
- Public speaking / oral presentations
- Creating research posters or infographics
- Storytelling through data
- Making a compelling final product (website, video, podcast, app)
- 🔍 Research & Inquiry Skills
- Formulating research questions
- Conducting literature reviews
- Identifying credible sources
- Understanding academic research structures (papers, abstracts, citations)
- Synthesizing information from multiple sources
- 🧠 Critical Thinking & Analysis
- Analyzing arguments and data
- Identifying biases and limitations
- Drawing logical conclusions
- Evaluating conflicting evidence
- 📊 Quantitative & Qualitative Methods
- Designing experiments or surveys
- Data visualization
- 🎨 Creativity & Problem-Solving
- Brainstorming innovative solutions
- Connecting interdisciplinary ideas
- Applying knowledge to real-world challenges
- 📅 Project Management & Organization
- Setting research goals and timelines
- Managing independent work
- Documenting progress
- Revising based on feedback
- 🤝 Collaboration & Mentorship
- Working in small research teams
- Engaging in intellectual discussions
- Receiving and applying constructive feedback
- Building research confidence and autonomy