EIU Department of History

"Being a full-time social studies teacher and athletic director at a high school is a tough job, especially as it's early in my career. As a History with Teacher Licensure major, the History Dept. and the College of Education provided me with an amazing foundation to succeed as an educator and as an administrator. I can’t stress how very pleased I am with the education I received at EIU, and I’m so very proud to be an alum of the history program. It makes me so happy when my current students choose to attend EIU and major in History as I know they are going to a fantastic place. The History Dept. and its faculty always goes above and beyond to make sure that their majors and alumni have great academic and professional success. The annual Careers Day, the job fairs, the lectures and workshops, the classes, the History & Social Science Teachers Conference… there’s always something! The faculty in History truly care for the students that come through the department, both while they are here and after they have gone on to do great things! I love EIU!"

"Looking back at my time in the history department at EIU, I realize how thankful I am for the countless opportunities presented to me both during my undergraduate and graduate studies. Through my classes, undergraduate thesis, and history-oriented extracurricular activities, I've developed skills that I put to use in the everyday world post-graduation. The faculty take the time to get to know you on a personal level and will help you achieve your academic, personal, and professional goals. If you're a prospective student taking a campus tour and hear how EIU is and always will be home, it's true! I will always be grateful for choosing history at EIU as my second home!"

"My time in EIU’s History Department can honestly be called the most important four years of my life. I not only learned copious amount of new information, skills, and abilities, but I also made lifelong friends in the process. During my time as an undergrad and a graduate student, studying and working with my colleagues helped me succeed and I in turn helped them succeed. I believe this sense of community is what makes the History Department standout. But it does not end at just my fellow students – I consider the professors I studied under as great friends. They were not only the most helpful and kind of all the professors I studied under, but they are some of the most intelligent. Not only are they willing to help with assignments and papers, but they are willing to help us succeed in life after graduation. One of the best opportunities offered at EIU are the study abroad opportunities, some of which are led by history department professors. My time studying abroad and excavating a 12th century castle in Belgium was one of my fondest memories during my time at Eastern.”

"EIU truly was my home away from home. My mother and aunt are alums, so I was already drawn to EIU, and looking back know I made the right choice in choosing to go there. My time in the History Department was beyond rewarding. The transferable skills I acquired from the faculty of the department allowed me to market myself after graduation, and it helped me get a job I love. I was presented with so many research and networking opportunities through the department - it rivals anything I could have possibly received at a larger, much more expensive school. Go, Big Blue!"