History Graduate Student Association Conference

HGSA Conference Video

Since 2005, Loyola's History Graduate Student Association (HGSA) has hosted an annual conference for history graduate students to share their work, receive valuable feedback, and collaborate on future research. The conference attracts graduate students from across the country who come together to present on a wide variety of topics.

We are in the midst of exciting preparations for our 2025 conference, “History in the World,” to be held on February 22^nd and 23^rd at Kasbeer Hall on Loyola's Water Tower Campus. Please see our conference program for a rundown of the weekend’s activities and panels!

Shermann “Dilla” Thomas -- affectionately dubbed “Chicago’s TikTok Historian” – will give the keynote address on Saturday, February 22^nd. Thomas is the founder of Chicago Mahogany Tours, which focuses on providing audiences historic tours of neighborhoods on Chicago’s South Side. He is also the recipient of the Chicago Public Library Foundation’s 21st Century Award, the Studs Terkel Uplifting Voices Award, and Choose Chicago’s 2022 Chicago Tourism Ambassador.

Please reach out to loyolahistoryconference@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Previous HGSA Conference Programs

Please reach out to loyolahistoryconference@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

Previous HGSA Conference Programs

Ve'Amber Miller, MA in Public History ('21)

"What I enjoyed most about the Public History MA program at Loyola was the connections I made with my cohort. Quite often, teamwork became less of a c

Ruby Oram, PhD in Public History and American History ('20)

"This program is ideal for prospective students who want a foot in both worlds. I left the program feeling confident that I could work with cultural institutions as a public historian or pursue an academic career as a US historian in a four-year university. I currently do both as a faculty member at Texas State...."

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Tara Hinkley, MA/MLIS Dual Degree Program ('21)

"Loyola's dual MA/MLIS program with Dominican has helped me hone my skills in librarianship, archives work and museum oriented work. My classes at Loyola provided connections with professionals doing history in many different ways and it truly opened my eyes to the incredible breadth of opportunities available to public historians..."

Bryan Escobar, MA in History ('14)

"Combining the traditional master’s program at Loyola with a minor focus in public history was an amazing experience for me. Going into graduate school I knew I wanted to work in the museum field but considered going through the traditional history route..."