Meet Joy Summar-Smith, our Associate Director, who has been an essential part of the Dr Pepper Museum team for the past 23 years. From her beginnings as a student in a museum studies course to her leadership role today as associate director, Joy has witnessed—and helped shape—tremendous growth at the Museum. She reflects on her journey, proudest moments, and what keeps her excited about the future.
How did your journey with the Dr Pepper Museum begin 23 Years Ago?
Joy: It all started when I took an exhibit design class during my museum studies program. It was co-taught by Professor Castin and Greg Schumann. Schumann was the Director of Exhibitions at the Dr Pepper Museum at the time. As part of the class, we worked directly on exhibits at the museum.
When the class ended and summer came around, Greg reached out—he had some grant funding and needed help in the archives. I had just gotten married, and since I knew my husband’s degree would take longer than mine, I thought, “This could be a great opportunity once I graduate.
What’s the biggest change you’ve seen at the Museum since you started?
Joy: The growth has been incredible. When I started, we had around 50,000 visitors a year—now we’re over a quarter of a million each year. Even the space has changed—my original office is now part of an exhibit! Almost nothing is the same anymore. Everything has evolved, and it’s been amazing to watch and be part of that transformation.
What’s one of your proudest moments at the Museum?
Joy: There’s been a shift over how we do our interpretation of our exhibits over the years, especially since Chris Dyer, our President & CEO, has been here, we’ve really focused on creating deeper, more meaningful experiences for visitors. That work has been recognized—we’ve received several awards, and it’s meant a lot to me and my staff. It shows that we’re making an impact and gaining respect in the broader museum community.
What keeps you passionate about your work after all these years?
Joy: No two days are ever the same. Sure, there are cycles—like budget season—but the projects and challenges are always different. The Museum is constantly evolving. When I started, we had a staff of about six or seven full-time employees. Now we have a much larger team and a much broader scope.
That kind of constant change keeps things exciting. There’s always something new to learn and new ways to grow.
What’s something about your job that might surprise people?
Joy: I feel like people are surprised by so many things. Most of my job is centered around what makes us a museum—our exhibits, our collections, our educational programs.
But then you start branching out into other areas, like facilities, and suddenly you’re learning about janitorial supplies. Did I ever anticipate that would be part of my career when I got my master’s degree in museum studies? No, definitely not.
I’ve ended up with knowledge in a bunch of different areas. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not out here doing plumbing or electrical work. I could never replace my staff but now, they can come to me with questions, and I can provide some guidance in a way I wouldn’t have been able to five years ago.
What are you most excited about for the future of the Museum?
Joy: Definitely the exhibits. That’s been my focus for years, and I still get excited about every new one we plan. There are always more stories to tell and new ways to educate, inspire and surprise our visitors.
