When Amarrah Gates first arrived at Keene State College from just outside Seattle, she said she wasn’t sure what to expect. The campus felt unfamiliar in every way, but over time she found something she didn’t anticipate: A community that would shape both her future and her purpose.
Now a senior, double-majoring in Holocaust and Genocide Studies as well as history, Gates is being recognized for her impact on the campus after receiving the Outstanding Women of New Hampshire Student Award.
“I didn’t even know I was up for it,” Gates said. “I was just sitting in the dining commons eating breakfast when I got a call… I was shocked. But it means a lot. I work really hard, so it’s really special to feel like other people see that.”
Gates said she chose Keene State in part because of its unique academic offerings. While she said she found many schools offer Holocaust and Genocide Studies only as a minor, Keene State provides it as a major, something that aligned directly with her interests.
“I’ve always been really interested in history and helping people,” she said. “This felt like the way I could do both.”
Gates said her career goals have evolved since arriving on campus. Initially drawn to museum work, Gates said she now hopes to pursue policymaking focused on conflict prevention and rebuilding communities.
“I want to help repair communities after conflict,” she said. “I didn’t even realize that was a path I could take until I got here.”
Gates’ dedication has not gone unnoticed. Rodney Obien, head of Special Collections and Archives at KSC, emphasized the impact of her work in his remarks at the award ceremony.
“Amarrah’s dedication to preserving the memory of some of humanity’s darkest chapters has made a lasting impact on the college archives and the broader community,” Obien said.
Since her first year, Gates has been deeply involved in the Holocaust and Genocide Studies Collection, taking on responsibilities that extend far beyond typical student roles. She has led tours, organized exhibitions, worked with donors and helped digitize and catalog archival materials.
“Her work ensures that the documentary memories of those who witnessed or suffered through the Holocaust and other genocides are preserved, honored and made accessible to future generations,” Obien said.
On campus, Gates’ involvement reaches well beyond the archives. She serves as co-president of two honor societies, president of the Panhellenic Council and works in multiple archival roles—commitments she says are rooted in a desire to make a difference.
“I’m involved because I care,” she said. “I want better for myself, for this community and for the future.”
Faculty members said that Gates’ level of dedication set her apart during the award selection process. Brinda Charry, a member of the selection committee, noted that Gates consistently exceeds expectations.
“We were impressed by how dedicated she is to keeping memories of the past alive and how she goes well above the call of duty in her work,” Charry said.
Through her role with the Cohen Institute, Gates has contributed to projects including oral history interviews, digitizing collections and developing educational materials—experiences she says she never imagined having as a student.
“I’ve done work I’m really proud of,” she said. “It’s something I’ll carry with me after graduation.”
She said she has also presented her research at conferences, building both experience and confidence in her field.
Still, Gates acknowledged that her work can be emotionally demanding. Studying genocide and conflict requires resilience, as well as a strong support system.
“It’s a very heavy field,” she said. “You have to learn how to take care of yourself, or you’ll burn out.”
For Gates, that support has come from her relationships with peers and professors, who she said have been essential to her growth.
“At a small school, those connections really matter,” she said. “I used to be nervous to talk to professors, but now I realize those relationships are what open doors.”
Looking back, Gates said she sees her time at Keene State as transformative.
“It taught me I can do hard things,” she said. “I can move across the country, build a life, take opportunities and succeed.”
As she prepares to graduate, Gates said she hopes to continue making an impact both globally and in everyday interactions.
“I want to go into policymaking and help communities feel heard,” she said. “But even small things like being kind or helping someone matter too.”
Gates said the award serves as both recognition and reflection.
“I came here wanting to make some kind of impact,” she said. “And I feel honored that I’ve been able to do that.”
As Obien put it, “It is a privilege to witness passion transform into purpose”— a transformation that, in Gates’ case, is already well underway.
Elianny Nunez can be contacted at
