Meet Our Students

Our students come from diverse backgrounds and pursue a variety of different careers, but they have one thing in common: a desire to understand the past. We're honored to help them on their journey. Learn more about why our students think the University at Buffalo Department of History is the perfect place to study. 

  • Jenna Marcus, BA Class of 2021
    12/8/21
    “The history classes I’ve taken at UB have stayed with me long after finishing them. Among other things, they opened my eyes to a world of diverse histories and human experiences, and helped me to understand the events that have shaped our current world. The knowledge gained and the stories learned have awarded me valuable and clear-eyed insight into the present — something all too important in a world where peoples, systems and events are so often deeply misunderstood.” 
  • Steve Joyce, BA Class of 2014
    12/8/21
    My history degree has helped me immensely in my pursuit of a law degree. I learned early on to not only spot issues, but to determine the why and how these issues came to be.
  • Crystal L. Couch, BA Class of 2021
    12/8/21
    “I can say, with confidence, that my time at UB in the undergraduate history program was exciting, engaging, welcoming, and unique. I had the opportunity to learn and interact with some of the most knowledgeable and engaging professors, who strived to make each class exciting. I learned skills and knowledge that were versatile and adaptable to my current life as a graduate education student. I am grateful for my decision to pursue my B. A in history and am thankful for the experiences I gained during my time in the program.” 
  • Danielle Redfield, BA Class of 2022
    7/20/22
    “I was drawn to UB's History department because of the diversity in both the professors and the courses offered. This was extremely important to me in planning my education because I wanted to be taught by scholars who each brought their own varied perspectives into their field of study. Being a History major at UB has given me some of my best memories. The department is filled with some of the smartest people I think I'll ever meet who truly have a passion for the field they're in but more importantly the students they teach. The people in the program constantly push each other to widen perspectives and challenge how we understand history. UB History has shaped how I look at history and how I look at what is happening around me in the world today.” 
  • Mohamad Naji, BA Class of 2021
    12/8/21
    “One thing I loved during my time in the history department, is the amazing professors I had. There is a wide range of topics that students can learn about and all the professors made the classes fantastic. I only ever had fantastic professors and they really made my experience only more enjoyable. You really cannot go wrong with any of the professors and I look at a lot of them as role models for me beyond my time at UB.” 
  • Victoria Iachetta, BA Class of 2014
    12/8/21
    Choosing to become a history major was never something I thought twice about. After my first semester of college, I knew that I wouldn’t enjoy my time at UB if I wasn’t reading, writing, and learning about the things I’m passionate about.
  • Vicky Jocelin, BA Class of 2009
    12/8/21
    I graduated from the University at Buffalo in May of 2009 with a BA in History and Teacher Education Minor. My degree created an opening at a non-profit agency where I assisted over-aged and under credited at-risk students earn their high school diploma.
  • David Strittmatter, PhD Class of 2018
    12/8/21
    Since starting the PhD program here, I have been pleasantly surprised by the number of opportunities grad students can take advantage of. Research and conference funding is available from a number of sources, and the department has given me the opportunity to teach three of my own classes.
  • Angelo Lomeo, BA Class of 2011, MA Class of 2013
    12/8/21
    "I am a 10th grade World History and AP World History teacher at a high school in the local Buffalo area. I do not know what my current life would look like without the University at Buffalo's History Undergraduate program. The program and its professors, especially Dr. Andreas Daum, are welcoming, enthusiastic, supportive, rigorous, and inspiring. At the end of the program, I not only felt well-prepared for my career, but I felt the life lessons learned and relationships formed along the way indicated to me that taking the program was one of the best decisions I have ever made." 
  • Richard Fries, BA Class of 2021
    12/8/21
    My favorite class within the history major so far would have to be His 391,China and the World, taught by Dr. Stapleton. As someone who went into the course with very little knowledge about Chinese history, this class provided all of the necessary background information that you would need in order to get really in depth on a lot of interesting topics I never covered in high school.