Press release

Ursula Esser Ph.D. has been selected as the Business Manager of the Manzanar History Association. Esser brings a broad range of experience to the position which is responsible for all facets of the non-profits operation at the Manzanar National Historic Site.

ursula

Ursula Esser

Established in 2003 under the auspices of the Friends of the Eastern California Museum, Manzanar History Association (MHA) works cooperatively with the National Park Service at Manzanar National Historic Site. From profits generated by the site’s bookstore, and sustained additionally by memberships and donations, MHA provides financial assistance to support educational and interpretive programs and projects at Manzanar.

Esser holds a B.S. from Rheinsche Akademie in Cologne, Germany, and an M.S. and Ph.D. from Stanford University in Palo Alto, California.  She has also completed a Postdoctoral Fellow at University California San Francisco and was an Assistant and Associate Adjunct Professor at U.C. Davis.

Esser’s background in non-profit management is extensive including fundraising, membership, grant writing, community outreach, fiscal oversight and administration. Her varied experience also includes retail management and product development.

Over the years, MHA has hosted a variety of programs ranging from author presentations and book-signings, to plays and performances, special events and exhibits, art shows, and many other programs. In addition to carrying a wide selection of books, DVDs and other merchandise, MHA has also produced a number of unique items such as art prints, posters, replicas of the famous Takahashi bird pins, and more. MHA also features materials created by the National Park Service including Manzanar’s award-winning film Remembering Manzanar and a comprehensive collection of educator resources in Manzanar’s Teacher Box.

“We are very excited to have Ursula as the new Business Manager at Manzanar History Association,” says David Woodruff, Board president of MHA’s parent organization, the Friends of the Eastern California Museum.  “Not only does she bring highly relevant experience with her to this position, Ursula is extremely enthusiastic and passionate about MHA and its mission. We look forward to her leading MHA to a new level of support for the National Park Service and Manzanar National Historic Site.

To learn more about Manzanar History Association and Manzanar National Historic Site, you can visit their website www.manzanarstore.com

Discover more from Sierra Wave: Eastern Sierra News

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading