In October 2025, the History Department learned of the passing of one of its longest serving faculty members. As History Chair, Brian Janiskee, announced to the department: “Professor Emeritus of History Kent Schofield passed away on October 17. Kent retired from CSUSB in 2007 after 41 years of dedicated service, during which he contributed greatly to the History Department. Although only a few of you may have had the opportunity to work directly with Kent, his impact on the department endures through the generations of students and colleagues he influenced.” Professor Schofield was 87.
A memorial page for Professor Schofield provides more details of his life, which included substantial contributions to History education at California State University, San Bernardino. Soon after Schofield’s 2007 retirement, then History Department Chair, Joyce Hanson, established the Schofield-McAfee Award to commemorate his service along with his longtime colleague, Ward McAfee. Unlike all other History scholarships and awards that are based on blind review of student applications, this one is made by an annual faculty nomination and vote each year. This distinctive process reflects the intensive and active engagement that Schofield and McAfee brought to their teaching, prioritizing students’ diligence, consistent efforts, and improvement over the time. More about his contributions can be found here, including his administrative work on behalf of the university and the department.
Several current faculty remembered their time working with Professor Schofield. Professor David Yaghoubian noted, “Kent was a wonderful and compassionate human being, and I am indebted to him for the warmth and support he greeted me with when I joined the department.” Professor Tim Pytell noted: “I always remember the early lunches at Farmers Boys with him and the senior faculty. He always was ready to make us chuckle with a witty remark that often went over my uptight New York head. But I really appreciated his warmth and support.” Professor Tom Long continued, “I remember those same lunches. Kent was also ‘the first person’ (as he told the story with a smile), to be awarded a PhD in history from UCR, my Alma Mater as well.” Professor Tiffany Jones remembered, “Even after retirement Kent remained in touch and regularly met for lunch and presented his research. He will indeed be missed! He was lovely. The Schofield-McAfee scholarship that Professor Hanson set up will continue in his legacy.”
Professor Emeritus, Ward McAfee remembered his former colleague: “Kent and I shared our entire academic careers at one place and in the same department. I was part of the founding faculty and Kent came the following year (1966). From the outset, Kent was a master practical joker. Being gullible, I often fell for his stunts and only occasionally got even. We lived through the social change of the 1960s, involving in part the American Federation of Teachers strike centered at San Francisco State in 1968-69. The following decade was even more turbulent until the end of the Vietnam War. The college then underwent a local crisis of stagnant enrollments combined with the Panorama Fire of 1980 that destroyed much of northern San Bernardino and several outlying buildings on campus. In my memory, the decades that followed were relatively tame. I retired in 2008, and my involvements with CSUSB became hit and miss. Kent stayed closer to the campus. Several times we would make contact, the last time being in the summer of 2025. He had been a trickster in his youth, but in his senior years he was a jolly good fellow. In any case, he was always the life of the party.”
The CSUSB History Department offers our condolences to the friends and loved ones of Professor Emeritus, Kent Schofield, and our gratitude for his lifelong commitment to the department and university.
As reported in the CSUSB Coyote News, the November 14 “History Discovery Day” was a hit! Dozens of middle school students from around the region were able to get into the stacks of CSUSB’s Pfau Library,
The History Department’s Professor Michelle Lorimer played a central role in coordinating the events, and she was joined by excellent CSUSB students, pictured here. Also key to organizing the events were Rebecca Lubas, dean of the CSUSB Libraries, and Fermín Jaramillo, coordinator from San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Department of Leadership and Outreach.
Dr. Lorimer noted, “We hosted a successful Student Discovery Day. It brought over 80 junior high students from Barstow, Pinion Mesa, and Ontario/Montclair to campus to engage in historical research with our librarians and History department students.” This kind of outreach welcomes regional students, and helps them imagine a course of study in History, and helps them picture a future here at CSUSB. In the short term, it helps them prepare to ace their work planned for the 36th annual San Bernardino County History Day Competition in March!
Current CSUSB History student, Gustavo Alonso (BA ‘24, MA ‘26), also said of the day’s events: “Seeing the newer generations delve into the 'archives' and the primary sources made this experience seriously unforgettable and impactful. The maturity and care with which some of these middle school students touched on difficult topics – such as research by a group of young girls on femicide in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico – demonstrate the continuing importance of history as a discipline for future generations to come. I truly enjoyed helping the 'kiddos' and was glad to participate in an event like this at Cal State San Bernardino."
Read the full CSUSB News item here, and find more images and details. The 36th annual San Bernardino County History Day Competition, set for March 7 at CSUSB, and the theme will be “Revolution, Reaction and Reform in History.”
As reported by the CSUSB Campus News, the students of the eighteenth annual issue of History in the Making again won national honors as recognized by the national history honor society, Phi Alpha Theta. Each year, faculty judges award the Gerald D. Nash honors to student journals of history in several categories. In eighteen years of publishing annual issues, the students of the CSUSB history department have won recognition in first, second, or third place a remarkable thirteen times. This year, the students won in the graduate print journal category, with an issue that ranged widely in its contents, with research on the Puerto Rican nationalist independence movement, Chicana feminism, and the intersection of racist subjugation and religious justification, and remembrances of President Jimmy Carter and poet, Nikki Giovanni, along with film and exhibit reviews. Find the full issue here.
For this eighteenth issue of the journal, student editors included the following: chief editors were Christina Monson and Gustavo Alonso; copy editor Margaret Phillips; section editors Bshara Alsheikh, Ayden Kelly, Ahlys Gandara and Erin Maddex; and editors Marlet Felix, Isai Martinez, Samuel Griffin, Randi Stoner, Allen Hall, Jessie Zepeda and Moises Leon. Professor Tiffany Jones served as lead faculty advisor.
Find the full campus news item here with quotes from editors and authors, find the journal homepage here, and the ScholarWorks page here, where individual articles can be downloaded. If you might be interested in a paper copy of this or a previous issue of the journal, you can visit the History Department office in SB-357 during business hours, or contact the History in the Making faculty advisors. At the journal homepage, you can also find out how to apply to be an editor on the journal staff, and how to submit your writing to be considered for publication by the student editorial staff.
The History Department celebrates the continuation of this remarkable tradition of excellence from our graduate and undergraduate students!
CSUSB is thrilled to welcome Dr. Axelle Brémont as the W. Benson Harer Egyptology Scholar in Residence for Spring 2026!
Find the related campus news item with more images at this link.
Dr. Brémont earned her Ph.D. in Egyptology from the renowned Sorbonne University and brings a wealth of international research and teaching experience to our campus. For the past four years, she has served as a scientific research member at the prestigious Institut Français d’Archéologie Orientale (IFAO) in Cairo—a coveted role among Egyptologists worldwide.
Her groundbreaking research explores the origins of ancient Egyptian art in the Predynastic period, focusing on the powerful intersection of animal imagery and early expressions of royal authority, before the invention of writing. And her research extends into the deserts of Egypt as a member of Yale’s archaeological team studying ancient rock art. In addition to her academic accomplishments, Dr. Brémont has taught at both the University of Toulouse and IFAO, where she is known for her engaging and insightful approach to teaching. Outside of her scholarly work, you might find her in the kitchen, experimenting with new recipes for her fusion Middle Eastern - European cookbook.
Welcome, Dr. Brémont! We’re excited to have you on campus.
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Additionally, Dr. Brémont will be giving a lecture at RAFFMA on March 10 at 5pm. Find details on the RAFFMA page here, and below.
March 10, talk title: Did a Watched Pot Ever Boil? Detail Analysis & Possible Uses of Decorated Pots in the Predynastic Period
Abstract: This lecture will explore how the Predynastic (ca. 3800-3000 BCE) style of painted pottery known as "Decorated Ware" evolved over the nearly two centuries of its existence. Although these vessels look strikingly uniform at first glance, close study reveals rich detail variation in motif shape and placement, which can be attributed both to regional and chronological factors, and help build a finer chronology of these painted vessels. The lecture will then turn to the people behind the pots. Using style and detail analysis, we identify distinct workshops and explore how painters planned their designs, organized space, and avoided overcrowding or repetition. Finally, we will ask why these vessels were made: how they circulated, whether they had ritual or funerary roles, and what their use marks tells us about everyday life in Predynastic Egypt.
The California State University, San Bernardino History Department is both delighted to congratulate Pamela Crosson, Administrative Support Coordinator (ASC), on a most well-earned retirement, and also sad to see her depart. She will be profoundly missed as both a delightful and perpetual presence in the History Department, and as an indefatigable and masterful member of the campus staff whose wisdom and deft navigation of so many processes saved our ships many, many times.
The History Department faculty and students remember their time working with Pam.
…
Tiffany Jones: “Pam will be dearly missed around campus. Pam was not only instrumental to the daily functioning of the department, she was a caring and steady source of support for all of us. I’ll miss having daily conversations with her about her travels, our lives, and the campus. Her calm presence and genuine kindness made even the worst days better. She always smiled, was welcoming, and ready to help. She was the heart of our department and I hope she enjoys her retirement and travels.”
Tim Pytell: “For more than twenty years, Pam was truly the bee’s knees of the History Department. Outstanding in every sense, she combined deep knowledge of the university with unfailing helpfulness, guiding faculty, students, and staff with her steady disposition and a gracious presence. If there was a question, Pam knew the answer—or exactly who to call. She also stood consistently above the departmental political fray, treating everyone with fairness, discretion, and empathy. To me, Pam was more than a colleague; she was like a sister. I am profoundly grateful for her years of service, her professionalism, and the steady, generous spirit she brought to our department and to my life.”
Kate Liszka: “Pam is one of the most genuinely compassionate people I have ever had the privilege of working with. She never speaks poorly of anyone and is always ready to help, even during her busiest moments. She is unfailingly reliable and deeply kind. I truly believe I thrived at CSUSB because of Pam’s support. She is always there—listening to stories, complaints, and concerns, and offering comfort to staff, faculty, and even students. As Pam begins this well-deserved retirement, her impact remains clear: she has made a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of people, and her legacy of kindness and support will continue to be felt for years to come.”
Michael Karp: “Even before I met Pam in person, as I was hired during the pandemic, I could tell she was a genuinely supportive and caring person. During the time I had the privilege to work with her, she was always there to help, no matter how small or big with the task at hand. I’ll always remember how she helped me get food and drinks ordered at the last second for Homecoming a few years ago. She worked for the best interests of the department and is already sorely missed.”
Cary Barber: “It's hard to put into words - or to limit myself to a single, discrete example - of how much Pam has done to help me transition from 'very junior itinerant scholar' to 'career professor'. ASCs contribute so much to the culture and 'feel' of a department, and Pam always made SBS a much warmer, welcoming, and open place owing to her presence. She had immense institutional knowledge, a genuine affability that made approaching her easy and enjoyable, and a sincere willingness (and ability) to fast-track any pressing issue or request. I certainly rested much easier knowing she had our backs.”
Brian Janiskee: “I first worked with Pam as a faculty member in the MA Social Science program, for which she was the ASC. More recently, I worked with her as an interim chair. Over the years, she has remained a constant positive presence in our college and CSUSB as a whole. Pam’s steadiness and kindness radiated out to all who had the good fortune to work with her.”
Alicia Gutierrez-Romine: “I’ve had the privilege of working with Pam both as a student in CSUSB’s history department, and as a professor many years later. Aside from her professionalism and ability to handle any of our department needs quickly, she was also always a stabilizing presence who brought a sense of warmth to our office.”
Marc A. Robinson: “I remember first meeting Pam during my interview eight years ago, and from that point and onward, she has always been a pleasure to work with. As I transitioned into my faculty role at CSUSB those first few years, she was a consistent source of help and information. I could always count on her for guidance on issues, big and small, from academic advising questions, to research funds management, to office supplies. And, there were many times when I locked myself out of my office, and Pam was there to loan me a key. It is no exaggeration to say the history department will not be the same without her. Thanks for everything, Pam. Happy Retirement!”
Jeremy Murray: “Pam was one of the first people I met at Cal State San Bernardino, and her kindness and patience made the place feel like home. In 15 years at CSUSB, I've been very lucky to have Pam steer countless tasks in the right direction with expertise and diligence. When neighboring colleagues visited CSUSB, they would always remark on how smoothly things seemed to run, and this was always thanks to Pam's timely and expert work preparing forms and approvals. She had a particular knack for making a byzantine bureaucratic process seem as simple as a quick signature, whether for students, faculty, or guests. Thank you, Pam!”
Michelle Lorimer: “Pam’s presence in the History Department provided such a steady and constant source of support, calm, and clarity. Chatting with her about work, kids, travel, or other events in our personal lives brought a sense of comfort and familiarity to the department office. I will truly miss you! Pam - I hope you enjoy your well-deserved retirement!”
Pedro Santoni: “”Hey Pam! I haven’t looked at what everyone else has written (don’t want to be a copycat), and I also don’t want to take the mushy route with my remarks (which I will keep relatively brief). So, here goes this: Hope you enjoy the new chapter in your life! You helped me dispatch many tedious, work-related tasks in the 5-Chair Suite during the time I spent there, but I especially want to thank you for the love, attention, and warmth you gave Bianca throughout the years. Just as importantly, I miss (and always will do so) our extended chats with Keith around 11 AM (and apologies for often spending perhaps too much time with him discussing the intricacies of college football while you patiently listened, LOL).”
Cheryl Riggs: “I was chair of the History Department when Pam joined us and it was evident immediately that she was going to be an asset to the department. At that time, we had enjoyed the privilege of working with a series of excellent staff and Pam continued that tradition. So many words come to mind to describe her contributions: she is knowledgeable, efficient, professional and dependable. Students and faculty alike benefited from her ability to navigate university policies and practices, which she always did with grace and aplomb. Personally, my experience working with Pam brings to mind the words trustworthiness, kindness and friendship. She made my job easier and I benefited from her partnership. Thank you Pam!”
Ward McAfee: “I remember that Pam liked to travel during the summer. China was one of her favorite destinations. And she was a pro on following through with keeping her faculty informed and up to date. In my memory, she is forever young.”
Hannah Knight (BA ‘15, MA ‘22), “My first interaction with Pam was at the beginning of my second year after I had unknowingly enrolled in the wrong course. As a young student, I was obviously stressed and concerned. I remember walking into the department, without any appointment, unsure of who to go to. Rather than send me to someone else, Pam took the time to help me find the correct course and explain the procedure. It has been quite a few years since then and yet I still remember this interaction and her kindness.”
Alexander Ponce (BA ‘13), “Pam was my first guide when I returned to school after a long period of aimless work. Because I had never been on campus before and didn’t know where any of the rooms were, she helped me find my classes and reach out to my professors. There was never a question she couldn’t answer, and her graceful handling of every concern was both reassuring and kind. Pam, you deserve a wonderful next chapter in your life. I hope you know how much your work has meant to the staff and the countless students you have guided through the History program. Enjoy this special moment!”
Bshara Alsheikh (BA ‘22, MA ‘25), “Pam was an essential presence in my educational journey. She consistently went above and beyond for students in the history department, always generously offering her support. Despite her busy schedule, she dedicated time to ensure her students received the guidance they needed to earn their degrees. Her assistance extended to both undergraduate and graduate students. Additionally, Pam was instrumental in ensuring that the 'History in the Making' journal was both timely and successful. She provided invaluable support to me as both an author and an editor. Pam, I wish you all the best in your future endeavors, and please know that you will be deeply missed. Your absence will be deeply felt, and we are poorer for your leaving. Thank you for everything!”
Alexander Serrano (BA '18, MA '22), "My experience with Pam occurred during my undergraduate years at CSUSB. I was wandering the halls like a timid student looking for offices having never been there before. She was immediately welcoming and helped me in every situation that occurred since to help guide me on my journey. As a graduate student in the history department she was an instrumental beacon of light for many of us who likely could not have succeeded without her help. Though it’s been some time since I’ve been in the halls of the history department, she was vital for the success of the department, its students, and faculty who call it a second home."
The History Department congratulates Dr. Michelle Lorimer (History), who was recognized by the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences with the 2025 Outstanding Faculty Service Award. Dr. Lorimer’s students, colleagues, and regional partners have long benefited from her energetic and excellence service in local and public history, in top historical scholarship, and in history education. Most recently, Dr. Lorimer helped to organize “History Discovery Day,” which brought together regional middle schoolers and current CSUSB History students.
In March 2024, Dr. Lorimer and some history students volunteered at Rialto’s Wilmer Amina Carter High School to serve as History Day judges (https://www.csusb.edu/history/department-news/article/580784). And in March 2025, Lorimer organized the History Day competition and held it on the CSUSB campus, in partnership with the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, bringing over 600 people to CSUSB for the event (https://www.csusb.edu/inside/article/587290/students-share-research-35th-annual-history-day-csusb). Lorimer facilitated an MOU with San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools to partner on National History Day-San Bernardino (NHD-SB). She co-created workshops and trainings for teachers, and developed internship and service-learning opportunities for CSUSB students to collaborate with regional teachers, along with primary and secondary students. CSUSB students volunteered as judges for NHD-SB in 2024 and 2025, and the college students provided research support for 5th-12th grade students at Pfau Library for Student Discovery Day in November 2024 and 2025. Lorimer also included CSUSB students in collaborations on lesson plan development for Citrus State Historic Park in 2023 and 2024.
Dr. Lorimer earned her PhD and her MA from University of California, Riverside, after earning her BA in History here at California State University, San Bernardino. Her most recent publications include “'Turn Back the Noisy Wheels of Progress': Modernization, Postcards, and California’s Romantic Booster Heritage" in California History (May 2024); and “Dancing Activist: Maria Tallchief '' in Medicine, Education, and the Arts in Contemporary Native American: Strong Women, Resilient Nations (edited by Clifford E. Trafzer, Donna L. Akers, and Amanda K. Wixon, Lexington Books. 2022). Dr. Lorimer’s work is strongly grounded in California and regional history, including the monograph, Resurrecting the Past: The California Mission Myth, from Great Oak Press (2016), which “traces the marginalization of Native Californians within mission history and critiques the romanticized narrative still presented today at many mission sites.”
Dr. Lorimer is coordinator of the History Department’s Master of Arts program and Pre-credential History-Social Science program coordinator. Her teaching is essential to the preparation of many excellent graduates. Her work for local history and educational initiatives includes many activities that account for this SBS College honor, including work with the California Historical Society and the California History-Social Science Project (CHSSP). This work has included developing materials for “Teaching California: Bringing Archives into the Classroom,” (https://chssp.ucdavis.edu/resources/teachingcalifornia) which supports teacher training and also connects with the California History-Social Science Framework. Many regional students have also benefited from Dr. Lorimer’s work on National History Day and affiliated activities, and she serves on the Committee on Teaching and Public Education for the Western Historical Association.
Michelle Lorimer, with collaborator Michael Karp, received a $150K grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, which was intended to be used to create a transformative local history education project. It was unfortunately revoked by the Trump Administration in April 2025.
Celeste Martinez won first prize in her session of the 40th annual CSUSB Student Research Competition. Her research presentation was titled, “Resistance in Death: Nubian Women and Burial Practices under Egyptian Imperialism."
Ms. Martinez's description of the project highlighted that it "examines Nubian encounters with Egyptian imperial rule during the New Kingdom, focusing on the sites of Tombos and Amara West. By analyzing funerary practices and burial customs, the project explores how the preservation and expression of identity in burial contexts can be understood as a valid form of resistance within ancient colonial settings."
Reflecting on the experience, Ms. Martinez noted, "I’m incredibly honored to have won the research competition! This project would not have been possible without the support of the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship and the mentorship of Dr. Kate Liszka, whose guidance has been instrumental in developing this research."
The Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program is a competitive two-year program at CSUSB that provides financial support, research mentorship, and assistance with graduate school applications. "Celeste has been a pleasure to have in the program. She's bright and diligent; and I can't wait to see where her research takes her," said Dr. Alicia Gutierrez-Romine, associate professor of history and MMUF Faculty Coordinator.
Dr. Liszka noted, “We are very proud of Celeste Martinez and her unique research. It is detailed, cross-disciplinary, and will make a difference in understanding and interpreting history. She is bound to go far as a future historian.”
Congratulations to Celeste Martinez!
Join us in conversation with award-winning author, Adam Higginbotham, discussing his book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space (Simon & Schuster, 2024), newly released in paperback (2026). We will have copies of the book for virtual attendees while supplies last!
- Winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award in Nonfiction • Winner of the Kirkus Nonfiction Prize • Shortlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction • A New York Times Notable Book
- NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • “Stunning…A heart-pounding thriller…Challenger is a remarkable book.” —The Atlantic • “Devastating…A universal story that transcends time.” —The New York Times • “Dramatic…a moving narrative.” —The Wall Street Journal
- From the New York Times bestselling author of Midnight in Chernobyl comes the definitive, “compelling, and exhaustively researched” (The Washington Post) minute-by-minute account of the Challenger disaster, based on fascinating and new archival research—a riveting history that reads like a thriller.
From the publisher's website: "On January 28, 1986, just seventy-three seconds into flight, the space shuttle Challenger broke apart over the Atlantic Ocean, killing all seven people on board. Millions of Americans witnessed the tragic deaths of the crew, which included New Hampshire schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. Like the assassination of JFK, the Challenger disaster is a defining moment in 20th-century history—one that forever changed the way America thought of itself and its optimistic view of the future. Yet the full story of what happened, and why, has never been told." Find a further description, a reading guide, and more at the publisher's website.
From Higginbotham's author website: "Adam Higginbotham is the author of Midnight in Chernobyl, winner of the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction and one of the New York Times’ Ten Best Books of 2019. His latest book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, was published by Avid Reader Press in May 2024. An immediate New York Times bestseller, Challenger is the winner of the 2024 Kirkus Prize for Nonfiction and the 2024 National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction."
Find the History Department homepage here, and contact Jeremy Murray with any questions (jmurray@csusb.edu).
For the past six years, Dr. Michael Karp has played a central role in fostering global awareness among Coachella Valley high school students through his leadership of Academic WorldQuest. As coordinator and host of the regional competition at the CSUSB Palm Desert Campus, Karp has helped sustain this annual event that brings together students, educators, and community members around global learning.
This year’s 21st annual competition, held Feb. 12, featured nine local high schools competing across topics such as migration, trade, U.S. foreign policy, and current events. Xavier College Preparatory High School took first place, followed by Palm Desert High School and Palm Valley School. Xavier will compete at the national competition in April.
Karp’s sustained commitment to Academic WorldQuest was recently recognized by the World Affairs Council of the Desert at its March 15 dinner speaker series. At the same event, this year’s student winners spoke about how the competition deepened their understanding of global issues and inspired them to become more engaged global citizens (photo at left).
Through his leadership, Karp continues to strengthen connections between the university and the broader community while encouraging the next generation to think critically about the world around them.
Congratulations to Dr. Kate Liszka (CSUSB History) for winning the 2025-26 Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities Award!
Dr. Liszka, Benson and Pamela Harer Fellow in Egyptology, empowers her students from the classroom to accompanying them on travels in Egypt. Meanwhile, as this award recognizes, she also excels in her own original research within the field of Egyptology.
"I’m honored to receive this award," Liszka noted. "But this award would not be possible without the dozens of people that I work with who have helped with the Wadi el-Hudi Expedition. I would like to thank all of the members of my Wadi el-Hudi team and also all of my students who have been part of this project."
After receiving her PhD from the University of Pennsylvania, she was a Cotsen Postdoctoral Fellow in the Society of Fellows at Princeton University, and then joined the History Department here at CSUSB. In her time here, she has also worked closely with the Robert and Frances Fullerton Museum of Art and their extraordinary Egypt collection, hosting prominent visiting scholars from around the world to join the CSUSB faculty to work in the collection and share their expertise in the classroom with CSUSB students.
Dr. Liszka's work exemplifies the way in which scholarship, teaching, and service to the campus and community can overlap everyday. The History Department congratulates Dr. Liszka on winning the 2025-26 Outstanding Scholarship, Research and Creative Activities Award!
Over two days in April 2026, CSUSB History students completed an archival research project and advanced the processing of archival materials in the Pfau Library’s department of Special Collections and University Archives (https://www.csusb.edu/special-collections). This unique, hands-on learning opportunity grew out of an ongoing collaboration between Dr. Marc Robinson (Associate Professor, History) and Eric Milenkiewicz (University Archivist, Pfau Library).
Students in Robinson’s spring 2026 course, HIST 3460 Women in the Black Freedom Movement, completed approximately five hours of training, led by Milenkiewicz. The students learned about archives, as well as archival processing and analysis. In addition, they practiced drafting and revising document-level and box-level archival descriptions, guided by feedback from Milenkiewicz, Robinson, and peer editing. As the crowning achievement of the project, the students' final box-level descriptions were published online, giving the students a clear accomplishment and aiding future research.
The students examined archival records in the Wilmer Amina Carter Papers, which focus on African American history in the Inland Empire. Carter is a longtime community leader and outstanding alumnus of CSUSB. In groups of two to three, the students completed descriptions for five boxes of archives.
Joanna Gonzalez (BA ‘24, MA ‘26), Thomas Donovan (MA ‘23), Margaret Phillips (BA ‘24, MA ‘26), Nathaniel Saavedra (BA ‘24), and Erin Herklotz (BA ‘23, MA ‘26) will continue their studies after completing their degrees with excellence in the CSUSB History Department. Donovan, Gonzalez, and Phillips have been accepted to regional doctoral programs to continue their studies in History, Herklotz will go on to study law, and Saavedra will move to Washington, DC to pursue museum studies.
About her decision to apply to PhD programs, Gonzalez noted, “I knew I had more to say on topics explored during the MA at CSUSB, that was the deciding factor… The encouraging faculty at CSUSB and my Fiance assured me not to worry and I hastily decided on, began the process, and submitted the PhD application in two months.”
Joanna Gonzalez is headed to the University of California Riverside’s Department of History, after having worked closely with Drs. Michelle Lorimer and Michael Karp here. At UCR, she will be working with Drs. William Bauer and Rebecca Kugel among other faculty. She is most excited to delve further into more Native American History. “You will never truly know the answer unless you do it,” Gonzalez noted when asked about her advice to undergrads. “Everything else will work itself out.” And, she continued with a recommendation to be confident in pursuing your research choices, even when you might have moments of doubt. “Your topic/interest more than likely does not ‘suck’ as much as you think it does, so write about it.”
Thomas Donovan thanked the faculty at CSUSB, and noted that they “played a key role in developing my love of history and showing me the value a PhD in history can have for my personal and professional development. In the fall of 2025, Professor Murray helped me apply to a few PhD programs. With his assistance, and to my delight, I was admitted to the University of California Irvine.” Donovan will be working with Professor Ian Coller on French history, the French Revolution, and Francophone history with a particular focus on the history of the island of Mauritius. Donovan continued, “For advice for those who are interested in applying to PhD programs, I recommend finding a topic that you are personally passionate about, that connects with you strongly, that you can provide unique insight into, and that will explore historical avenues that have yet to be covered properly. New topics of research that you can illuminate in a unique manner will be attractive to many. I also recommend applying to schools that have faculty whose personal work aligns or connects with what you would like to do. You do not need to be a perfect applicant; however, you do need to find a manner to connect with a faculty member and find a way to get them to wish to work with you. I am incredibly grateful for all the assistance I have received from my professors and family, and I look forward to the fall with great joy."
Margaret Phillips is headed to Claremont Graduate University to continue her studies and noted, “I will be working towards a PhD in History with Matthew Bowman and JoAnna Poblete. I will be studying religion in the United States, especially where it has intersected with race and racism, and with a special interest in Mormonism.” Phillips will build on her studies in both the BA and MA programs in History at CSUSB, working with her lead advisor Dr. Michael Karp.
Nathaniel Saavedra is off to Washington DC and George Washington University's Museum, History, and Cultures program. Saavedra noted, “Currently, I am preparing for the transition to graduate study, including financing housing and work before starting the program. After being accepted to both the University of Pennsylvania and GWU, I carefully considered which program best aligns with my long-term career goals. GWU ultimately stood out as the program that fit my interest in pursuing a career in museum collections and cultural institutions.” He continued, “I have been awarded a $20,000 financial package, distributed over four semesters, which helped make the program a more accessible option. In addition, the program's location in Washington, D.C. was a significant factor in my choice. As home to some of the most exceptional museums and cultural institutions, it provides strong opportunities for professional development in the field. I look forward to the next chapters and to continuing my long-term academic and career goals.”
Of her plans to pursue a career in law, Erin Herklotz noted, “Going to law school is a way to turn my passion for history into a meaningful way to advocate for others. My studies, in areas like medical racism and reproductive justice, have shown me how deeply the law shapes people’s lives. That realization pushed me to want to create positive change in the world. Law has always interested me, but I used to question whether it was a path I could achieve. Developing a growth mindset changed that; this gave me the ability to push through doubt, overcome setbacks, and stay committed to my goals.” About her inspirations, Herklotz noted, “In many ways, I relate to Elle Woods from Legally Blonde. I have been underestimated at times throughout my educational path, but those experiences have only strengthened my determination. I owe much of this success to the incredible mentors, faculty, and my amazing cohort, whose support and belief in me helped shape my confidence and direction. Because of them, I see law not just as a career, but a way to advocate for others, challenge injustice, and make a meaningful impact. As Elle Woods said, ‘It is with passion, courage of conviction, and a strong sense of self that we take our next steps into the world,’ and I plan to do just that.”
At commencement ceremonies last December and this May, History graduates celebrated the completion of their degrees.
Learn about student award winners here at this link, and also about students who are continuing their studies at this link. You can find regular updates and History Department News here, and find annual Department Newsletters here. We spotlight some of our alumni here at this link, and if you are an alum and have new professional or educational achievements that you would like to share, please email an update to us so we can feature your accomplishments (jmurray@csusb.edu). We have compiled some resources about Careers for History Majors here at this link, and don't hesitate to contact your faculty to discuss possible careers and how to prepare for them (also find the Career Center at this link).
Congratulations to our graduating students, and we hope you will stay in touch with your alma mater, CSUSB, and the History Department!
On Thursday June 11, Dr. Marc Robinson, Associate Professor of History, delivered the keynote address at the CSUSB campus Juneteenth commemoration, sponsored by the President’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Board, and held in the Santos Manuel Student Union. In his remarks, Dr. Robinson encouraged the assembly to consider the meaning and importance of how Juneteenth has and should be recognized.
Following the event, Robinson noted, "Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery after the Civil War and it was an honor to give the keynote for CSUSB's event.” He continued, “I am encouraged to see that our university has not shied away from the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion, even though that work has become increasingly taboo in some circles."
In his remarks, Robinson did not avoid challenging topics about the mainstream commemoration of Juneteenth, noting some of the instances in which the meaning of the day seemed to have been lost, such as in the example of WalMart’s short-lived and ill-considered “Juneteenth Ice Cream.” Robinson questioned the wisdom of such cheerful or consumerist celebrations of Juneteenth, suggesting that a more somber remembrance is in order: “less party poppers, and more candlelight vigils; less matching decorative merchandise, and more moments of silence.” But he also acknowledged his experiences speaking with some elders and relatives who wanted to emphasize the positive stories from the past to provide hope for the future.
During his keynote address, Robinson paused and shifted the spotlight to the audience. He prompted them to take a moment to consider the subject at hand, and to speak with a neighbor about how these commemorations should be undertaken, what tone should be adopted, and what aspects of history should be the focus of the day. Finally, he noted the importance of continuing these commemorations even while many Americans resist acknowledging the country’s culpability in its historical crimes. In a spirit of earnest and rigorous inquiry, Robinson provided a keynote that both informed the audience and also expanded the conversation to include them.