The History Graduate Student Association (GHA) is an organization of graduate students within the State University of New York at Buffalo.
The mission of the GHA is to maintain, support, and strengthen the intellectual and social lives of our members. As such, the GHA is dedicated to fostering inter-and intra-departmental interactions at the University at Buffalo that promote critical historical and interdisciplinary engagement. We commit to creating an environment in which students in our department can achieve success and which fosters a beneficial learning and teaching experience. For more information regarding the mission and operational guidelines of GHA, please refer to the GHA Organization Rules.
The GHA holds a monthly meeting open to all members to discuss graduate student concerns and topics of mutual interest. For example, members may evaluate candidates from departmental faculty searches or apply for some of the funds the association allocates for travel expenses for students who hope to attend and/or present at a conference. The participation of all graduate students in these meetings is invaluable to the mission of the GHA and all efforts to participate are highly appreciated.
The GHA also organizes a graduate-level academic conference during which graduate students are encouraged to present their work to their fellow students and professors. The Milton Plesur Conference, named in honor of Professor Milton Plesur (1927-87), who devoted his career to teaching thousands of UB students, provides an excellent opportunity for students to experience a critical discussion of their work from other interested and knowledgeable parties. Participants and attendees will also gain valuable experience presenting their work and building collegial relationships. In the past, this activity has been funded in part by the Graduate Student Association and by the Department of History.
Officers
The executive branch of the Graduate History Association, officers are responsible for the operations of GHA, and are expected to manage group funds, plan events, update the GHA website, maintain transparent communications with GHA membership, and foster partnership and communication with the Department of History faculty and the University at Buffalo Graduate Student Association. GHA officers are also expected to plan and carry out the Milton Plesur Conference with the support of GHA membership.
While officers provide guidance for the direction of GHA, all motions concerning event planning, the spending of GHA funds, and representing the History graduate student community within the University at Buffalo must be passed by majority vote during a GHA meeting, which is open to all graduate students currently enrolled in the Department of History.
As the representative body of the graduate students in the Department of History, the GHA is governed democratically via elected officials. Elections are held at the end of the spring semester, and any graduate student in the Department of History, M.A. or Ph.D, is encouraged to run for office. Elibility requirements are outlined in the GHA Organization Rules.
GHA Officers, 2025-2026
President: Alyssa Martin
Vice President: Crystalina Peterson
Secretary: Kevin Kostin
Treasurer: Damilola Fagite
GSA Board Members
As a recognized, funded, charter member of the UB Graduate Student Association (GSA), the GHA has the right and obligation to be represented in the GSA Board of Directors, the elected body that manages and spends the activity fees paid by all registered graduate students at the university. The GHA must have at least one board member at every GSA Board of Directors meeting to maintain good standing, which allows access to funding for events, such as the Milton Plesur Conference. Any graduate student in the Department of History, M.A. or Ph.D, is encouraged to run for the position.
Board Members, 2025-2026
Primary Member:
First Alternate:
Second Alternate:
Past Officers:
2024-2025: President: Alex Skezas, Vice President: Clayton Chandler, Secretary: , Treasurer: Angela Gallagher
2023-2024: President: , Vice President: , Secretary: , Treasurer:
2022-2023: President: , Vice President: , Secretary: , Treasurer:
2021-2022: President: , Vice President: , Secretary: , Treasurer:
2020-2021: President: Brandon Burger, Vice President: Ashley Morin, Secretary: Eric Deutsch, Treasurer: Emily Seger
2019-2020: President: Tanya Blakely-Clark, Vice President: Ryan Adams, Secretary: Jenna Labbie, Treasurer: Brandon Burger
2018-19: President: Victoria Nachreiner, Vice President: Tanya Blakeley-Clark, Secretary: Holly Atkins, Treasurer: Jim Dobrowolski
2017-18: President: Derek Taylor, Vice President: Emily Bowlus-Peck, Secretary: Joshua Keil, Treasurer: Patrick Nash
2016-17: President: Alexandra Prince, Vice President: Justin Masucci, Treasurer: David McCaskey, Secretary: Shanleigh Corrallo,
2015-16: President: Christopher Notaro, Vice President: Elisabeth Davis, Secretary: Tommy Buttaccio, Treasurer: Reed Jones
2014-15: President: David Strittmatter, Vice President: Tommy Le, Secretary: Justin Masucci, Treasurer: Marissa Rhodes
2013-14: President: Joshua Schroeder, Vice President: Averill Earls, Secretary: Katie Smyser, Treasurer: Marissa Rhodes
2012-13: President: W. Jake Newsome, Vice President: Billy Pritchard, Secretary: Averill Earls, Treasurer: Kathryn Lawton
2011-12: President: Averill Earls, Vice President: Elisabeth George, Secretary: Sarah Handley-Cousins, Treasurer: Justin Donahoe
2010-11: President: Valerie Phillips, Vice President: Jeff Kohler, Secretary: Colin Eager, Treasurer: Kevin Ryan