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, Historian (M.A.)
Median Salary, Historian (CT)
**Salary Range, Historian (CT)
* 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
Professor and Director of Center for Connecticut Studies
“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
History alumni discuss careers after Eastern
November 17, 2025
A quintet of alumni from Eastern’s Department of History returned to campus as panelists to share their career journeys with current history majors on Nov. 12 in the David G. Carter Science Building. From professional work in libraries and archives to digital history, the alumni discussed their career paths following Eastern.
Balcerski presents on partisan history at Cumberland University
November 10, 2025
History Professor Thomas Balcerski presented a guest lecture on partisan history at a conference hosted by Cumberland University in Lebanon, TN, on Oct 28. Balcerski discussed the "Papers of Martin Van Buren" and how they correlate to the history of the Democratic Party.
Moore featured in 'Witch of Pungo' mini-documentary
November 05, 2025
History Professor Scott Moore was featured in a series of mini-documentaries by Virginia-based WHRO Public Media commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution. Moore’s eight-minute episode recounts the legend of Sherwood Grace, known as the “Witch of Pungo,” whose 1706 witchcraft trial remains a fixture of Virginia Beach folklore. In the segment, Moore places the trial within its historical context and traces how the tale has evolved over time, transforming Sherwood's image from that of an accused witch to a symbol of resilience and an enduring regional folk hero.
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 is 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.
History
Jacob Buckridge ’22
Jacob is attending Quinnipiac University’s School of Law. “The historical research and analysis skills I gained from my undergraduate studies are invaluable in my current work as a research assistant and law student. Eastern’s history program truly prepared the way for me to interact with the subject of my academic and professional work by giving me the skills I need to find and analyze my sources.”
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.”
History
Samantha Kushel ’22
Samantha is an academic advisor at UCONN, and teaches part time at CT State Community College. “The skills that I have learned from my Eastern education have consistently guided my work. I use the critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, and communication skills from my liberal arts education to make positive contributions to my office and lead my work with students.”
