Profiles of Students in the History Program at SUNY Plattsburgh

History Student Profiles

Jessica Bastone

A Love Affair with History

I came to SUNY Plattsburgh as a History Major, but along the way I have added majors in Gender and Women Studies and Special Education. Still, I have always had a love affair with history.  I have always enjoyed learning about the past, even in primary school, and I would often read historical fiction or historical novels.  Personally I find I love a vast amount of topics in history.  The great thing about Plattsburgh is that there are so many different types of history classes offered, so that just about every topic I am interested in is covered. All the classes I have taken with the History department have been challenging and interesting. The professors I have had in my program are not only fantastic teachers but extremely knowledgeable. I feel that I am gaining great guidance for what I want to do in the future.  My plans for the future include teaching primary education with the Peace Corps and furthering my education in History. 

Juli Burnett

Passionate about Research

During my first few semesters at SUNY Plattsburgh, I switched from history education to mathematics education, and then decided to try both as a double major (yikes!). But I eventually traded in my calculator for the smell of old books as a history major because of my love of research. Over the past three years I have also added a religious studies minor, as well as a mathematics minor — putting all of those freshman and sophomore credits to good use.

Most recently, I had a wonderful opportunity to study abroad for a year at one of the top universities in Seoul, South Korea. As a history major, you need to complete a history cognate, and studying abroad is the best way to fulfill that requirement. I chose to spend one year abroad because, for me, one semester would not be enough to experience everything. I also had wonderful support from my professors in the History Department who encouraged me to see and do as much as I could while I was abroad. I chose South Korea due to my increasing interest in East Asian studies, which was sparked by some of my history courses. My professors' enthusiasm for their various regions of expertise inspired me to find an area that I, too, could be just as enthusiastic about.

With its combination of many interesting courses, and supportive faculty, the history department let's me continue to enjoy that old book smell. 

Michael Peltzer

Prepared for the Future

I am a double major in history and Latin American studies, with minors in political science and Spanish. I am entering my junior year here in Plattsburgh and looking forward to taking even more engaging courses offered by the history department. Throughout my time at SUNY Plattsburgh, I have taken a variety of intriguing courses, ranging from the history of mobility and road kill to traditional biographies of U.S. presidents.

During my senior year I will be putting what I have learned to work in an internship at the State Department, where my goal is to work in the areas of arms control issues or human rights. After graduation I will be taking the Foreign Service Officers Test so that I might work in the Foreign Service.

The history classes I have taken at SUNY Plattsburgh have been engaging, and even entertaining. But what really stands out in all of these courses was the professors. I have taken courses in a variety of departments, and in no other department have I seen more dedicated educators. They exemplify a sincere passion for their respective disciplines and display their ardor both in lectures and in office meetings. Were it not for the education I have received in the department and the guidance from its various professors I would not be on the path to success that I am now.

Lance Paradis

Good Fit

My experience at SUNY Plattsburgh, so far, has been intellectually stimulating. The history department is full of excellent, motivated and enthusiastic educators who instill their passion for history into their students. I am grateful to the professors of the history department. The professors are all very approachable. As a freshman this was key to my experience at SUNY Plattsburgh. Coming from the small town of Schroon Lake, I graduated with around 20 students, so every teacher K-12 knew who you were and were always available to talk to. Coming into college with thousands of other students, it was really important to me that I was able to strike up working relationships with my professors. I highly recommend SUNY Plattsburgh's history program to any incoming freshmen.

Questions, Comments, Suggestions?

For more information about the history program at SUNY Plattsburgh, please contact

Wendy Gordon, Chair
Office: Champlain Valley Hall 220
Phone: (518) 564-2213
Fax: (518) 564-2212
Email: gordonwm@plattsburgh.edu