Erica Marin

Museum Director

Erica Marin is the first El Paso native and Latina to be appointed as a director of the El Paso Museum of History. She has been with the City of El Paso for four years and previously served as curator of the museum. During her time at the museum, Marin has been a critical driver in developing community-driven exhibitions that celebrate cultural and civic contributions by more diverse communities. The approach, which resulted in exhibitions like “Neighborhoods & Shared Memories: Sunset Heights” and “Low & Slow: Lowrider Culture on the Border” has correlated in an increase of attendance at the museum of more than 233 percent during the last decade. Marin holds a bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts/Museum Conservation from New Mexico State University and a Master’s in Public History from The University of Texas at El Paso - UTEP. She is also a National Association of Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) Leadership Institute Fellow. Before joining the El Paso Museum of History, Erica Marin served as an Exhibits Curator for Las Cruces Museums, and an independent curator for Purple Gallery in El Paso. She is also active in the community as an artist, focusing her creative work primarily on identity and memory.

Stephanie Gardea 

Museum Registrar & DIGIE Administrator

Stephanie Gardea is a native El Pasoan and the Museum Registrar for the El Paso Museum of History. She has been with the City of El Paso for four years and previously served as the Education and Curatorial Associate of the museum. Ms. Gardea also oversees and curates the Museum’s unique digital wall, DIGIE, through which EPMH shares its collections and archival resources with the broader community. She received her B.A. in Art History from The University of Texas at Austin in 2017 as a Presidential Achievement Scholar and Gateway Scholar. In her time at UT, she practiced as a gallery curator at the Visual Arts Center and an archival intern at the Harry Ransom Center. In her work at the Museum of History, she hopes to amplify El Paso’s rich history by exhibiting the museum’s hidden treasures to share with the people of El Paso and visitors alike. 

Natasha Norman 

Marketing & Communications Coordinator 

Natasha Norman is a homegrown El Pasoan and Marketing & Communications Coordinator for the El Paso Museum of History. She has been with the City of El Paso for four years and has since been promoted within her time at the museum. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing with a concentration in Advertising from Northwood University in Cedar Hill, Texas. She graduated with Faculty and Academic Excellence Awards in Advertising and is recognized as Who’s Who Among American Universities and Colleges. Upon graduation, she worked for three years as the Marketing Coordinator for the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center in Dallas. After moving back to El Paso, Ms. Norman worked as the Promotions Assistant for iHeart Media and obtained a Social Media Strategist Certification from the National Institute of Social Media.

Alicia Aguilar 

Visitor Services Assistant 

Alicia Aguilar was born and raised in El Paso. Before working at EPMH, Alicia worked with the city of Socorro at the Rio Vista historical landmark turned community center where she assisted with the archival, preservation and maintenance of the Bracero program artifacts from the site. She also collaborated with the historical landmark commission whose mission is to maintain oversight of past, present and future building modifications to protect the site’s historical integrity. Ms. Aguilar is now our full time visitor services assistant and hopes to connect with the El Paso community and visitors alike to enrich their experience as they learn more about El Paso’s history.

Michael Reyes

History Museum Curator

Michael Reyes was born and raised in El Paso and currently serves as the Museum Curator for the El Paso Museum of History. Michael earned a B.A in English and American Literature with a minor in Museum Studies from the University of Texas at El Paso – UTEP. He furthered his education and earned an M.A in Museum Studies from the University of San Francisco. Michael has worked and interned at various institutions that include, C.L. Sonnichsen Special Collections Department, El Paso Museum of Art, Centennial Museum, County of El Paso, GLBT Historical Society, National Japanese American Historical Society, and the New Mexico Museum of Art. Much of his work has centered around collections care, curatorial, grant writing, and public outreach. In his work at the museum he hopes to amplify underserved and underrepresented voices within our community and allow the museum to be a place of learning, reflection, and validity.

Nora Rose

Community Engagement Coordinator

Nora Rose moved to El Paso in 2017 and currently serves as the Community Engagement Coordinator, leading outreach and public programming initiatives. Prior to joining the EPMH team, Nora worked for the El Paso Community Foundation, El Paso Chamber, and as a staff writer in New York City. She earned her Bachelor of Arts from Barnard College, Columbia University and her Master of Education from the University of Virginia. In her position, Nora looks forward to welcoming new audiences to the museum through innovative events and educational experiences.

Quetzaly Segovia

Education & Curatorial Associate

Quetzaly Segovia is a proud Chicana and serves as the Education & Curatorial Associate. Quetzaly previously worked at the Tom Lea Institute for three years as their Collections and Communications Manager, and also as their Education and Collections Manager before being promoted. In 2021, she received the Tom Lea Fellowship, which allowed her to curate her own exhibition titled, Ghost on Mount Cristo Rey: Urbici Soler and Tom Lea Exhibition. Quetzaly has a BA in History and a minor in Museum Studies and an MA in Latin American Border Studies from UTEP.  In her new role, she hopes to continue the impressive work that the History Museum has been offering. Quetzaly is working towards representing marginalized individuals and communities through education, art, and exhibitions.

Mariana Briseño 

Art Handler & Gallery Technician

Mariana Briseño is a native El Pasoan and Art Handler for the El Paso Museum of History.  Mariana has always been interested in history, art, and museum studies. They received their B.A. in Art History from the University of Texas at El Paso in 2020. Before graduating, Mariana was an intern at the El Paso Museum of Art, where they learned curatorial and collections management practices. In partnership with the University of Texas at El Paso, Mariana also contributed to a series of informal gallery talks called “Focus Talks”, by helping students present research on artworks on view at the El Paso Museum of Art. Mariana hopes to further contribute to the cultivation of community within the museum, and to inspire the broader region through the power of innovative exhibitions and history.

Alan Aguirre 

Preparator

Alan Aguirre was born and raised in El Paso, Texas and moved to San Antonio to attend Trinity University. While at Trinity, Alan worked as a studio assistant for the print studio and practiced with a variety of traditional 2D and 3D art mediums. After receiving his BA in Fine Art in 2018, Alan worked as a gallery attendant at the San Antonio Museum of Art. While working at SAMA, Alan was able to interact with all the individual departments that run a museum as well as do summer research for the curator of the American Gallery. He previously served as art handler of the museum. Alan is fascinated by all the background mechanics that have to be done to complete all the wonderful exhibitions put on display at museums for guests and hopes to be a helpful part of that here at the El Paso History Museum.

Pete Campos 

Museum Operations Assistant 

Since 1983, Pete has worked in various departments within the City including: Parks & Recreation, Sun Metro, Streets & Maintenance, El Paso Museum of Art and the El Paso Zoo. With 40 years of experience and dedication to the City, Pete joins our operations team as the Museum & Operations Assistant.

Miriam Vega

Visitor Services Assistant

Miriam Vega is a native El Pasoan and Visitor Service Assistant for the El Paso Museum of History. Miriam has been with the City of El Paso since 2019. She graduated from The University of Texas at El Paso with a BFA in Drawing and Painting in 2018. Miriam is a graduate student at The University of Oklahoma focusing on Museum Studies. Prior to joining the EPMH team, Miriam facilitated free art workshops for the community, volunteered at local galleries, and curated several art exhibitions. Miriam aims to connect with all audiences who visit the El Paso Museum of History.