Welcome to the History Department
From the Chair
August is here, Broncos. This Fall, we have a variety of History, Geography and Philosophy courses building on our faculty’s expertise including: HIS 44 History of the Modern Middle East with Dr. Simon Davis, HIS 46 The Cold War with Dr. Seth Offenbach. Dr. Kanakamedala also returns with HIS 37 African American History.
(Department trivia — did you know our two faculty members Dr. Davis and Dr. Kanakamedala are both from Liverpool, England? YNWA)
Enjoy the rest of your summer. We’ll see you in a classroom on campus soon. — Dr. Mara Lazda
Contact Us
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STUDY HISTORY AT BCC
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About Us
Dr. Mara Lazda
Chairperson
About Me | Contact Me
Dr. Kate Culkin
Deputy Chairperson
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Dr. Prithi Kanakamedala
Deputy Chairperson
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Ms. Paulette Randall
Administrative Assistant
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Ms. Sabrina Torres
History Tutor
Make An Appointment
The Department of History at Bronx Community College represents a curricular tradition of more than six decades. Since classes were first offered at BCC in 1959, a History education has been a central part of a student’s college journey. What began as American History 1, American History 2 within the Social Studies Department in 1959 has grown today to over more than twenty courses in Geography, History, and Philosophy with newer ones reflecting professional changes in our fields. Today, we remain steadfast in our commitment to equipping the next generation of BCC students to hone their skills in historical analysis, literacy, and critical thinking. We continue to be a proud part of a longstanding BCC tradition.
Our department continues to support the primary mission of Bronx Community College by:
- providing students academic foundations and skills for their educational and professional futures, and
- encouraging students to value informed civic engagement
Our faculty teach courses in History (HIS), Geography (GEO), and Philosophy (PHL) that contribute both to transfer curricula and to career programs,
We are committed to fostering critical thinking, a broad liberal arts education, and preparing students to engage with life within diverse, democratic societies and globalized communities.
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Tutoring
Tutoring is available for all of our History, Geography, and Philosophy classes. Our tutors Sabrina Torres, and Prof Jason Sanchez offer in person and online tutoring and are ready to work with you. Walk in and Appointments Available.
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Meet Our Faculty
Your professors are an important part of your academic journey at BCC and beyond. They are often award-winning experts in their field who actively research and publish widely within their scholarly specialization which includes Women and Gender Studies, Afro-Cuban History, Cold War History, New York City History, Middle Eastern History, Black Studies, Feminist Historical Geography, Eastern European History, Classroom Pedagogy, and the History of Science. Faculty can offer you mentorship, guidance, and access to professional opportunities within the humanities.
Faculty Spotlight
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Dr. Kate Culkin‘s scholarly expertise is U.S. Women’s History in the Nineteenth Century. She is the author of Harriet Homer: A Cultural Biography. Her new book Emerson’s Daughters: Ellen Tucker Emerson, Edith Emerson Forbes, and their Family Legacy (University of Massachusetts Press, 2025) is out now.
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Our Students
Whether you’re taking our courses for credit towards graduation, or intend to become a History, Geography, or Philosophy major at a 4-year school, we are are so proud of our students and alumni.
Scott Harris
AA LAS: History 2023
BA History, Lehman (Current)
Chanelle M. Thom
AA LAS: History 2022
BA History, Columbia University 2024
Mahamadou Tunkara
AA LAS: History 2021
BA History, CCNY 2023
Middle School Educator, Social Studies
Kitam Jubran
AA LAS: Education 2019
BS Education, NYU 2022
MA History, CCNY (Current)
Educator, Social Studies
Lauren Capellan
AA LAS: History 2016
CUNY BA 2018
MLIS Queens College 2021
New York City Librarian
Contact Us
Department of History
Colston Hall 301
Bronx Community College
2155 University Ave
Bronx, NY 10453
Phone: 718-289-5653
Email: history@bcc.cuny.edu
| Dr. Mara Lazda Chairperson
| Dr. Katherine Culkin Deputy Chair
| Dr. Prithi Kanakamedala Deputy Chair
| Ms. Paulette Randall Administrative Assistant
