Because of her creative nature, her family thought that she might pursue a career in English or Journalism. But when she was 16 years old, Rachel Fundator borrowed a book from her grandmother titled "How to Read a Painting" and found her calling.

Her grandmother noticed her keen interest in art and bought Rachel several more books on the subject for her birthday. Rachel says “Next, I decided to take an art history class at the local community college for dual credit through my high school. After the first couple of night classes at Parkland I knew that this was what I wanted to study.”

Her passionate interest in art history led her to the University of Illinois and the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, where she’s currently a senior in the art history program. This year, Rachel is serving as a board member for the Society for Art History and Archaeology (SAHA), a student club that has regular meetings to discuss current art issues around the world. This student group also meets with a professor once a month to hear about his or her experiences in college, which gives these dedicated students a better understanding of the different career paths available to them with art history or archaeology degrees. 

What’s next for Rachel? “Right now, I’m working on a Senior Honors Thesis concerning Paul Gauguin, with a professor in the art history department. I’m interested in looking into museum work after I graduate from the U of I. I worked in an art gallery for a year and a half before I transferred to Illinois, and I loved the hands-on participation with art. I hope to go to graduate school in Chicago for either art history or museum studies.”