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Current and Past Leadership

2025-2026 Officers

 

President: Chandler Tapella

Chandler Tapella (he/him) is thrilled to be your HGSA president for the 2025-2026 school year!  Chandler is originally from Sacramento, CA and did his undergraduate work at ÎçÒ¹AV University of Chicago.  Chandler’s background is in Classical Civilizations, but he is also passionate about 19th and 20th century American History.  He is a second-year student in the Public History MA program, and is excited to be a part of this wonderful community in the HGSA!

Vice President: Gemma Rosenthall

Gemma Rosenthall (she/her) is from Chicago, but new to Rogers Park, and loves having the lake at arm's reach. She is a second-year public history MA student who's interested in memory studies, family history, and 20th-century American social and cultural history. She's excited to work with the HGSA board to foster a rich and rewarding academic year. 

 

 

Secretary: Riley Burkhart

Riley Burkhart (she/her) is a second year History MA student originally from Littleton, Colorado. Her research interests include 19th and 20th century American history, particularly the American West, popular culture, and memory. She is very excited to be serving as the HGSA secretary for this year.

Media Coordinator: Mason Tolbert

Mason Tolbert (he/him) is second-year History MA student at ÎçÒ¹AV University. Originally from Ohio, Mason earned his bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Ohio State University, and he aims for his work to reflect his multi-discipline background. His academic interests include 19th-century U.S. History, Gender and Queer history, and Victorian Mourning. Mason also loves to knit, and is excited to serve as Media Coordinator for HGSA!

 

 

Treasurer and Conference Committee Co-Chair: Alexis I. Garcia

Alexis I. Garcia is a dual enrollment Master's student working towards her Master's in public history with ÎçÒ¹AV University and her MLIS with Dominican University. She works in alternative education supporting young adults to make up credits to earn their high school diploma. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, cooking, and dancing. Alexis looks forward to creating this year's conference with her co-chair and HGSA. She is excited to build upon the success of last year's conference. 

Conference Committee Co-Chair: Ivan Guzman

Ivan Guzman is an educator, cultural worker, and the son of Mexican immigrants. He is currently a second-year doctoral student in ÎçÒ¹AV’s dual Public History/American History program. As a Chicagoland native, having grown up in Joliet, IL, his research interests are in greater Chicagoland Latine/x History. He has taught high school history classes in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and is currently an adjunct lecturer in humanities at various City colleges of Chicago. He is also a co-founder of . Ivan is excited to work with his conference co-chair and the rest of HGSA on the upcoming conference!

 

 

Past HGSA Officers and Committee Chairs

 

2024-2025

President: Lindsey Meza
Vice President: Minela Muminovic
Treasurer: Connor Barnes
Secretary: Lia Thibault
Media Coordinator: Marin Burke

Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Connor Barnes and Eleanor Carter
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Anthony Stamilio
Chair, Public History Committee:

2023-2024

President: Kaylee Morlan
Vice President: Hannah Fuller
Treasurer: Yujay Masah
Secretary: Grace Tony
Media Coordinator: Jonathan White

Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Haley Carlton and Yujay Masah
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:
Chair, Public History Committee:

2022-2023

President: Liz Ferry
Vice President: Rachel McGough
Treasurer: Caroline Lauber
Secretary: Shannon Honl
Media Coordinator: Yujay Masah

Co-Chairs, Conference Committee:
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:
Chair, Public History Committee:

2021-2022

President: Meghan Flannery
Vice President: Anthony Stamilio
Treasurer: Karis Blaker
Secretary: Hannah Lahti
Media Coordinator: Kenleigh Howard

Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Madeleine Lawler and Karis Blaker
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Nathan Ellstrand and Lucas Bensley
Chair, Public History Committee: Jenny Barry
Chair, Immigration Advocacy Project: Mary Cole Daulton

2020-2021

President: Scarlett Andes
Vice President: Rachel Madden
Treasurer: Casey Terry
Secretary: Miranda Ridener
Media Coordinator: Ve’Amber Miller


Chair, Conference Committee: Erin Witt
Chair, Public History Committee: (Elizabeth) Lizzy Schmidt
Co-Chairs, Dissertation Writing Group: Nathan Ellstrand and Jenny Clay
Chair, Immigration Advocacy Project: Hannah Lahti

2019-2020

President: Anthony Stamilio
Vice President: Emily Paige Taylor
Treasurer: Hannah Overstreet
Secretary: Davis Stubblefield
Media Coordinator: Alicia Zeimet


Chair, Conference Committee: Cate LiaBraaten
Co-Chairs, Dissertation Writing Group: Nathan Ellstrand and Jenny Clay
Chair, Public History Committee: Keegan Sims
Chair, Immigration Advocacy Project: Alicia Zeimet

2018-2019

President: Emily Davis
Vice President: Cate LiaBraaten
Treasurer: Sean Jacobson
Secretary: Emily Muszynski
Media Coordinator: Anna Claspy


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Alexandra Gradwohl and Sean Jacobson
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Katherine Macica
Co-Chairs, Public History Committee: Kelly Schmidt and Angela Rothman
Co-Chairs, Historians for a Just Society: Lisa Hartman and Kristin Jacobsen

2017-2018

President: Ella Wagner
Vice President: June Coyne
Treasurer: Marie Pellissier
Secretary: Kate Johnson
Media Coordinator: Kristin Jacobsen


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Matthew Amyx and Charis Caputo
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Katherine Macica
Chair, Public History Committee: Kelly Schmidt
Chair, Public History Lab: Karen Sieber
Co-Chairs, Historians for a Just Society: Nathan Ellstrand and Stephen Petrie

2016-2017

President: Kelly Schmidt
Vice President: Ruby Oram
Treasurer: Shannon Pimmel
Secretary: Megan Bordewyk
Media Coordinator: June Coyne


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Julia Lacher and Shannon Pimmel
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Katherine Macica
Chair, Public History Committee: Ella Wagner
Chair, Public History Lab: Hope Shannon

2015-2016

President: Hope Shannon
Vice President: Fazila Kabahita
Treasurer: Kelly Schmidt
Secretary: Maggie McClain
Media Coordinator: Lauren O'Brien


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Fazila Kabahita and Amelia Serafine
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Katherine Macica
Chair, Public History Committee: Ruby Oram
Chair, Public History Lab: Katherine Macica

2014-2015

President: Katherine Macica
Vice President: Samantha Smith
Treasurer: Hope Shannon
Secretary: Jennifer Pederson
Media Coordinator: Adam Widera


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Hope Shannon and Adam Widera
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Amy Oberlin
Chair, Public History Committee: William Ippen

2013-2014

President: Rachel Boyle
Vice President: Pamela Johnson
Treasurer: Katherine Macica
Secretary: Kim Connelly Hicks
Media Coordinator: Aaron Brunmeier


Co-Chairs, Conference Committee: Aaron Brunmeier and Katherine Macica
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Amy Oberlin
Chair, Public History Committee: Chelsea Denault

2012-2013

President: Amelia Serafine
Vice President: Gregory Ruth
Treasurer: Laura Johns
Secretary: Grace Pekar
Media Coordinator: Rachel Boyle


Chair, Conference Committee: Laura Johns
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Amy Oberlin
Chair, Public History Committee: Anne Cullen

2011-2012

President: Peter Kotowski
Vice President: Steven Catania
Treasurer: Christopher Ramsey
Secretary: Amelia Serafine
Media Coordinator: William Ippen


Chair, Conference Committee: Peter Kotowski
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Amy Oberlin

2010-2011

President: Justin Dickerson
Vice President: Andrew Altepeter
Treasurer: Brooke Wibracht
Secretary: Peter Kotowski
Media Coordinator: Paige Halpin


Chair, Conference Committee: Justin Dickerson
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group: Amy Oberlin

2009-2010

President: Susan Garneau
Vice President: Steven Catania
Treasurer: Megan Stout
Secretary: Peter Kotowski
Media Coordinator:


Chair, Conference Committee: Susan Garneau
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:

2008-2009

President: Stella Ress
Vice President: Melissa Cushing-Davis
Treasurer: Megan Stout
Secretary: Elizabeth Matelski
Media Director: Albert Vogt III


Chair, Conference Committee: Stella Ress
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:

2007-2008

President: Jason Myers
Vice President: Stella Ress
Treasurer: Lisa Davis
Secretary: Abbey Cullen
Media Director: Maria Reynolds


Chair, Conference Committee: Jason Myers
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:

2006-2007

President: Elizabeth Hoffman
Vice President: Jason Myers
Treasurer: Stella Ress
Secretary: Jessica Ostrom
Media Director: Maria Reynolds


Chair, Conference Committee: Elizabeth Hoffman
Chair, Dissertation Writing Group:

2005-2006

President: Jennifer Searcy
Vice President: Elizabeth Hoffman
Treasurer: Jason Myers
Secretary: Jennifer Bridge


Chair, Conference Committee: Jennifer Searcy

2004-2005

President: Dejan Kral

2025-2026 Officers

 

President: Chandler Tapella

Chandler Tapella (he/him) is thrilled to be your HGSA president for the 2025-2026 school year!  Chandler is originally from Sacramento, CA and did his undergraduate work at ÎçÒ¹AV University of Chicago.  Chandler’s background is in Classical Civilizations, but he is also passionate about 19th and 20th century American History.  He is a second-year student in the Public History MA program, and is excited to be a part of this wonderful community in the HGSA!

Vice President: Gemma Rosenthall

Gemma Rosenthall (she/her) is from Chicago, but new to Rogers Park, and loves having the lake at arm's reach. She is a second-year public history MA student who's interested in memory studies, family history, and 20th-century American social and cultural history. She's excited to work with the HGSA board to foster a rich and rewarding academic year. 

 

 

Secretary: Riley Burkhart

Riley Burkhart (she/her) is a second year History MA student originally from Littleton, Colorado. Her research interests include 19th and 20th century American history, particularly the American West, popular culture, and memory. She is very excited to be serving as the HGSA secretary for this year.

Media Coordinator: Mason Tolbert

Mason Tolbert (he/him) is second-year History MA student at ÎçÒ¹AV University. Originally from Ohio, Mason earned his bachelor's degree in Anthropology from Ohio State University, and he aims for his work to reflect his multi-discipline background. His academic interests include 19th-century U.S. History, Gender and Queer history, and Victorian Mourning. Mason also loves to knit, and is excited to serve as Media Coordinator for HGSA!

 

 

Treasurer and Conference Committee Co-Chair: Alexis I. Garcia

Alexis I. Garcia is a dual enrollment Master's student working towards her Master's in public history with ÎçÒ¹AV University and her MLIS with Dominican University. She works in alternative education supporting young adults to make up credits to earn their high school diploma. In her free time, she enjoys CrossFit, Olympic Lifting, cooking, and dancing. Alexis looks forward to creating this year's conference with her co-chair and HGSA. She is excited to build upon the success of last year's conference. 

Conference Committee Co-Chair: Ivan Guzman

Ivan Guzman is an educator, cultural worker, and the son of Mexican immigrants. He is currently a second-year doctoral student in ÎçÒ¹AV’s dual Public History/American History program. As a Chicagoland native, having grown up in Joliet, IL, his research interests are in greater Chicagoland Latine/x History. He has taught high school history classes in the Pilsen neighborhood of Chicago and is currently an adjunct lecturer in humanities at various City colleges of Chicago. He is also a co-founder of . Ivan is excited to work with his conference co-chair and the rest of HGSA on the upcoming conference!

 

 

Past HGSA Officers and Committee Chairs