Rate My Professor Leanna Schooley

LeAnna Schooley, Ph.D., is a historian whose work centers on Texas history, public history, and cultural heritage preservation. She holds a Ph.D. in American History from Texas Christian University (2017), where her dissertation, “Sightseeing in Texas, 1836-1916,” examined the development of tourism in the state under the supervision of Gregg Cantrell. She also earned a Master of Science in Architectural Studies, emphasizing Historic Preservation, from the University of Texas at Austin (1994), and a Bachelor of Arts in History and Museum Studies from Baylor University (1992). A native of Fort Worth, Schooley’s early interest in history was sparked by family vacations to historic sites.

In her career, Schooley serves as Executive Director of the Center for Texas Studies at Texas Christian University, overseeing programs that promote the study and preservation of Texas culture. Previously, she was Executive Director of the Fort Stockton Historical Society, Military Sites and Survey Coordinator at the Texas Historical Commission, and Curator/Facilities Manager of the W. K. Gordon Center for Texas Heritage at the Thurber ghost town. She maintains active memberships in the Texas State Historical Association, Texas Association of Museums, and American Alliance of Museums, and has led as president of the Big Bend Area Travel Association (now the Texas Mountain Heritage Trail Region) and the Texas Forts Heritage Trail Region. Her publications include co-editing and contributing to Wanted in America: Posters Collected by the Fort Worth Police Department, 1894-1903 (TCU Press, 2019) with Thomas Kellam, and co-editing Coloring Texas (TCU Press, 2022) with Gene A. Smith. Additional articles feature “Long Live Texas’ Military Legacy” (The Medallion, Nov./Dec. 2002), “Historic Texas Flags Fly Proudly Once Again” (The Medallion, Jan./Feb. 2002), and “Battle of Palmito Ranch” (Hallowed Ground, Fall 2001). Schooley has presented at conferences such as the Texas State Historical Association on Grand Army of the Republic posts in Fort Worth (2021) and her dissertation research (2016), delivered keynote addresses, and led workshops on museum careers and audience engagement.