DOMA’s Associate Director Wins Two Awards
Ms. Buckmaster brings value to her students as evidenced by the many letters received for her nomination.
Managing student employees may be a small line in the job description of Rachel Buckmaster, ’95, associate director of the David Owsley Museum of Art (DOMA). But she does not take the duty lightly—and others have noticed.
Ms. Buckmaster won the 2022 Ball State Student Employment Supervisor of the Year Award and the corresponding award from the Midwest Association of Student Employment Administrators (MASEA).
“Rachel prioritizes our well-being while providing as much care as she can give,” said Brennan Hill, student guard at DOMA. “She takes the time to know every worker. The museum feels like home, and the staff is like family.”
Ms. Buckmaster supervises 35-40 student guards, interns, and assistants each semester. In addition, she serves as the museum’s operations manager and handles publicity, outreach efforts, finances, and plays a significant role
in museum exhibitions and acquisitions.
To Ms. Buckmaster, supervising student employees requires more than managing payroll and work schedules. She takes the time to connect with the students—learning their interests and finding ways their roles in the museum align with their goals. These connections benefit both Ms. Buckmaster and DOMA.
“Working with students helps me continue learning every day,” Ms. Buckmaster said. “Our student employees and their input are so important to the museum’s success.”
