Why Study History?
Everything that happens today is influenced by or a direct result of the human history that precedes it. Historians identify and comment on social and historical trends so that current and future generations can learn from the past. History students develop invaluable skills and an enhanced capacity for informed citizenship, critical thinking and a broad cultural awareness.
Why Study History at Eastern?
History majors at Eastern learn to understand the historical background of modern society, politics, economy and culture. They cultivate active skills in research and writing that help them prepare for graduate school and careers in education, law, government, journalism and many other professions. Eastern is the only Connecticut state university with an undergraduate digital history lab. A History minor is available to non-History majors.
Salary Potential
Median salary, Historians
* U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ziprecruiter.com
Hands-on Learning
Learning Opportunities
History students experience the world of history through the History Club, research assistantships, internships, and field trips, as they engage historical sites, museums and historical societies.
History Club
Study Abroad
History faculty have lead student groups on study trips to Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia.
Global Field Courses
History Honor Society
History students have the opportunity to be inducted into the Alpha Mu Alpha chapter of the Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society.
Faculty Spotlight
Caitlin Carenen
Professor and Department Chair
“Watching my students visit a Palestinian refugee camp in the West Bank and visit Israel’s Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem reminds me of why I teach what I teach.”
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Thomas Balcerski
Associate Professor
“I strive to teach students the contours of American history, to think critically about the past, and to conceptualize history as a contested terrain that we still navigate today.”
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Scott Moore
Associate Professor and Assistant Department Chair
“I find it rewarding to see students who have not previously engaged with history realize how much they enjoy it by the end of the semester.”
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Career Options
- Education
- Public History
- Publishing/Media
- Libraries
- Government
- Foreign Service
- Politics
- Law/Law Enforcement
- Business
Successful Alumni
Eastern’s History graduates have developed successful careers in government, foreign policy, business, journalism, and in public history settings and libraries. Others are employed as teachers in public and private schools throughout Connecticut. Many History students choose to attend graduate school to continue their education in a variety of fields.
In the News
Alumna Jessica Chapman ’11 wins prestigious Milken Educator Award
December 12, 2024
Eastern Connecticut State University alumna Jessica Chapman ’11, a history and social studies teacher at Norwich Free Academy (NFA), was recently surprised with one of the nation’s top educational awards. Chapman was named one of 45 recipients of this year’s Milken Educator Award (MEA) at a schoolwide assembly on Nov. 12. The award comes with a $25,000 cash prize.
Post-election panel analyzes turnout and historical precedents
November 20, 2024
Eastern Connecticut State University hosted a “Post-Election Reflections” panel on Nov. 13. The discussion was moderated by history Professor Tom Balcerski and political science Professor Nicole Krassas. The panelists shared their perspectives on the 2024 election results, discussed key issues and explored what might come next.
History alum connects with his Armenian heritage through volunteering
November 12, 2024
An alumnus of the history program at Eastern Connecticut State University has spent the past few months in Armenia through a volunteer program called Birthright Armenia. Ara Daglian ‘18 has had the opportunity to teach English, work in sustainable agriculture and explore the history and culture of the country as well as his own Armenian heritage.
Alumni Testimonials
Cornell University
Quanece Williams ’16
Quanece earned her law degree at Cornell and works for a law firm in New York City. “My Eastern experience was transformative. As a student, I took rigorous courses, conducted research, served as a teacher’s assistant, and went on a global field course to Europe. I learned to think critically, seize new opportunities and strengthen my leadership skills.”
History
Morgan Considine ’16
Morgan is director of data for the Connecticut School Finance Project, an organization that provides nonpartisan information about education finance to state and local governments. “History is intertwined with a lot of subjects, including government. Government analyses are done from a historical perspective; we want to understand what’s been done in the past in order to inform decision making in the present.”
Student Life
Alex Cross ’12
Alex is the dean of students at American International College in Springfield, MA. “My experiences as a double major and resident assistant (RA) led me to a job in the career field I wanted, helped me develop lifelong mentors, and made me marketable across the field.”
Tsunami Tsolutions
Zachary Marotte ’14
Zachary is a technical records analyst at Tsunami Tsolutions. “My history degree taught me to question every source of information I receive for accuracy. It also gave me the ability to look for trends in metadata so that my analysis is more complete.”
Documentary Film
Eugene Bertrand ’24
Eugene received a grant to develop a documentary about the migrant labor that drove Connecticut’s tobacco industry. “As someone with a Caribbean background, I think it’s vital to understand the impact that Caribbean people have made to Connecticut… Contributing to this documentary is a way to thank my ancestors for all the hard work they’ve put in the past to ensure I had a better future.”
History
Allen Horn ’21
Allen is pursuing a master’s degree in history at the University of Maine. At Eastern, he received the Undergraduate Paper Prize from the New England Historical Association. “My career aspiration is to go into a public history job such as a national park site or a museum. I hope to educate people on the history of horses in 19th-century America through both presentations and writings.”
History
Nathan Fontaine ’22
Nathan interned in Eastern’s Title IX office in spring 2022. He assisted in outreach, conducted case studies and supported online training. He credits the internship for bettering his critical thinking and professional etiquette skills and preparing for graduate school at Springfield College in higher education student affairs. “Don’t be afraid to reach out because internships are the best opportunities to gain experience.”
Columbia University
Eugene Bertrand ’24
Eugene will be attending Columbia University’s Master of Social Work program. “My honors thesis at Eastern presented me with numerous academic challenges that ultimately strengthened my skills and resilience. From formulating a research question to conducting an extensive historiography supported my intellectual engagement and problem-solving. After completing his master’s degree, Eugene hopes to work for the Department of Veteran Affairs and pursue a law degree.
Research Analytics
Adam Brzozowski ’08
Adam earned his MBA at Quinnipiac University and is the vice president of data insights and analytics at Health Outlook Corp. “Studying history has helped me to see the world from a multicultural perspective that spans different time periods. The past is filled with examples of how and how not to lead people. I often draw on these lessons when trying to imagine a different future.”
Peace Corps
Tyler Hinde ’16
History major Tyler Hinde is teaching English in Indonesia as a Peace Corps volunteer. “Eastern’s history program taught me to evaluate information for bias, relevance, accuracy and more. I learned about historical events and time periods and developed my written and oral communication skills. All of these qualities have helped me succeed as a student and a teacher.”
Postdoctoral Fellow
Miles Wilkerson ’15
History major Miles Wilkerson received his Ph.D. in history at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he is a graduate fellow. “Eastern’s history program offered unparalleled mentorship, training and community. I may not have been able to attend one of the world’s top graduate research schools if not for this special university.”
