Chandni Tariq

I am PhD candidate researching slavery and the construction of race in the Indian Ocean world during the time of abolition. I originally came into the program as an Americanist and have expanded my horizons quite a bit since then. I am currently teaching Modern U.S. History at LaGuardia Community College. I have past experience teaching incarcerated people in a carceral setting. I am also a Teaching and Learning Center Fellow. Please feel free to contact me if you would like to chat about pedagogy or abolition (both of slavery in the late nineteenth century and of prisons today) at ctariq@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Peer Mentor Coordinator, 2023-2024

Danielle Bennett

I’m a 3rd year student studying US history and public history. My research interests are at the intersections of LGBTQ+ history and the historic preservation movement. I am also teaching Shaping the Modern World this year at Brooklyn College. I’m happy to answer any questions you have about the first year, first year exams, remote classes, teaching for the first time or anything else you might be wondering at dbennett@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Peer Mentor Coordinator, 2023-2024

Oscar Aponte

I’m a fourth-year student in Latin American and Carribean history focusing on Colombia and the Amazon rainforest. My research revolves around agrarian history, rural colonization, indigenous peoples and the state, infrastructure projects, and extractive economies. I’m also interested in environmental history, history of the press, labor history, Latinx studies, and critical theory. I’m a Graduate Teaching Fellow at City College and was a Fellow at the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies. Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you have about the program or living in New York as an international student, I’ll be more than happy to help. Email: oaponte@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Orals Committee: Prof. Herman Bennett (Colonial LatAm history), Prof. Laird Bergad (Modern LatAm history), Prof. Eduardo Contreras (Latinx history), Prof. Mary Roldan (Dissertation Field

Miranda Brethour

I’m a third-year PhD student in the History Department who works on modern Europe, specifically Jewish-Gentile relations during the Holocaust in rural Poland. I’m an international student from Canada and an incoming teaching fellow at Brooklyn College. Please feel free to reach out to me about the program (especially the first-year exam and coursework), the shift to online courses, international student life, or with any other questions you may have. Email: mbrethour@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Maayan Brodsky

I’m a fifth-year modern Americanist interested in secrecy in government, with a focus on the 60s and 70s. My current project is on Richard Nixon’s interest in secrecy, intelligence operations, and control of information. I’ve been teaching modern American history at Baruch College for the past two years. I’ll be happy to discuss any GC and non-GC issues you might be facing. Also, I have lots of advice on the somewhat less-official aspects of the GC (that sentence will make sense when you get to know me). You can often find me at the history-lounge and you can always contact me at mbrodsky@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Orals Committee: Prof. KC Johnson (Dissertation), Prof. Herman Bennet (Minor Field: “War”), Prof. Marty Burke (Early U.S.), Prof. David Nasaw (Modern America)

Cathy Cabrera-Figueroa 

I am a fifth-year Latin American History Ph.D. student interested in Puerto Rican migration to, and communities in, the United States. My research focuses on the policies and interventions implemented in Puerto Rico that created opportunities and/or the need for migration of Puerto Ricans, particularly women, in the early to mid 20^th century. I am also the Administrative Director for the Center for Latin American, Caribbean, and Latino Studies. Before graduate school, I worked in Higher Education Administration so History was a big career shift. Finally, I am a lifetime New Yorker with two children, one in college and the other a teenager getting ready to graduate from high school In the Spring. Ask me about raising teenagers in the city, or anything else. I am happy to chat about anything, email me at ccabrerafi@gradcenter.cuny.edu  

Gloria Pereira Caminha

I am a second-year student studying 20th-century U.S. My research revolves around U.S. and South American countries’ relations in the 1970s, and I am also interested in women’s history. I am an international student living in NYC since 2020. If you have questions about the program, living in NYC, the experiences of an international student in the U.S., the joys and challenges of the first year, or just want to chat, feel free to reach out at gpereiracaminha@gradcenter.cuny.edu. I’ll be happy to meet you in person or via Zoom.

Robert Cleary

I’m a second-year student studying U.S. history, and have just begun to teach modern U.S. history at Queens College. My research is around queer community and activist movements in the twentieth century. I’m happy to chat with anyone about the experience of the first year in the program, conducting research, and what to look forward to in the second year.

Madeline DeDe-Panken

I’m an American History PhD candidate with a focus on women and gender and interests in public history. My work explores the gendered dimensions of mycological science as part of an American food fad at the turn of the twentieth century, which is why you may hear me referred to as “Mushroom Mady.” I teach at Lehman College and have twice served as co-coordinator of the Peer Mentor Program. I am happy to chat about teaching, public history, organization strategies for life and research, managing grad student anxieties, contending with the two body problem, or anything else on your mind. Reach out anytime – mdedepanken@gradcenter.cuny.edu. 

Phelim Dolan

I’m a PhD candidate who works on early modern Ireland and Europe. I have returned to grad school after a career in the film and television business. My undergraduate degree was in English Literature, and I continue to take an interdisciplinary approach to my research. As a mentor I think I have (hopefully) valuable experience with pursuing graduate studies after / while pursuing another career. pdolan@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Deena Ecker

I am an doctoral candidate and Americanist. I focus on social and urban history, and the history of gender and sexuality and have a strong interest in public history. My research looks at prostitutes, pop culture, and sexual culture in the early 20^th century. I hope to turn my research into documentaries as well as traditional academic writing. I teach American History at CCNY.

Oral Committee: Prof. Ben Carp (Early America), Prof. Thomas Kessner (Modern US), Professor Julia Sneeringer (Gender & Sexuality), Prof. Kathleen McCarthy (Dissertation field)

Jessica Georges

I’m a PhD candidate in American history. I’m broadly interested in the history of New York and questions around race, gender, and nationalism. My research focuses on African American colonization in the early republic. I’m happy to answer questions on the first year exams and papers, language proficiency requirements and exams, provost enhancement fellowships, orals, and living in New York City. I’m also happy to answer general questions about my experience in the program. You can reach me at jgeorges1@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Orals Committee: Prof. Ben Carp (Early US), Prof. Tanisha Ford (Post Civil War US), Prof. Gunja Sengupta (African Diaspora/Comparative Slavery), Prof. David Waldstreicher (Dissertation Field)

Jiwon Han

I’m a fifth year Europeanist at the Graduate Center who studies 18C Anglo-Dutch financial relations. As a Graduate Teaching Fellow, I’m teaching a microhistory course at John Jay. I’m happy to talk with my fellow students about first/second year experiences, archival research, living in New York, life as an international student, or any other issue. Reach me at any time at jhan1@gradcenter.cuny.edu!

Kate Kelley

I am a doctoral candidate in Modern European History working with Dagmar Herzog. My research centers around arts and politics in the German Democratic Republic with a focus on ballet and modern dance – and I was a dancer myself before turning to academia. I am happy to discuss any and all concerns about the program from administrative woes to exam prep as well as adjusting to the joys and stresses of graduate school in general. I have served as a graduate student representative on several committees and working groups including the Executive Committee, the Anti-Racism Working Group, and the Caregivers Working Group. Feel free to reach out anytime to kkelley@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Orals Committee: Ben Hett (Europe), Julia Sneeringer (Europe), Gary Wilder (Intellectual History), Dagmar Herzog (Dissertation Field)

Adam Kocurek

I am an American History PhD candidate who focuses on 20th century social movements, LGBT history, and history of labor, sexuality and gender. In addition to the American History PhD, I am pursuing the certificate in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies offered at The Graduate Center. I currently am a Teaching Assistant at Hunter College for Modern American History. I can be reached at akocurek@gradcenter.cuny.edu and am happy to answer any and all questions regarding my experience at The Graduate Center, living in NYC, etc.

Madeline Lafuse

I’m an American History PhD candidate who researches enslaved women and poison in 19th century New Orleans and who teaches Foundations of US History at Lehman College. I can speak from experience about coming to the history program with little undergraduate preparation in the discipline, embracing the joys and sorrows of cultural history, and I am also always up for a Zoom. Feel free to contact me at mlafuse@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Idan Liav

I’m a modern Europeanist with background in International Relations and Conflict Research. I’m interested in the history of memory and its manifestations in relation to the Holocaust and the 1948 Arab-Israeli War; I also teach early modern/modern European history at Queens College. I’m always happy to meet (via zoom this year I guess?) and discuss challenges, teaching, and how to navigate mental health issues with program requirements (hint: get a dog). Email me at iliav@gradcenter.cuny.edu or enjoy my twitter rants @idanliav!  

Orals Committee: Prof. Ben Hett (Europe), Prof. Simon Davis (ME), Prof. Sarah Covington (Memory), Prof. Dagmar Herzog (dissertation field)

Tamara Maatouk

I am a PhD candidate with a focus on the modern Middle East. I am interested in both the interpenetration between Egyptian cinema and twentieth-century politics as well as the use of films as serious vehicles for understanding, conceptualizing, and reconstructing the past. I am happy to chat about first-year concerns, comprehensive exam, and teaching. I can be reached at tmaatouk@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Orals Committee: Prof. Samira Haj (ME), Prof. Craig Daigle (ME), Andreas Killen (Cultural History/Film), Beth Baron (Dissertation Field)

Stephanie Makowski

I’m a seventh year modern Europeanist and my dissertation is on interracial relationships in Britain from the interwar to the postwar period. I’ve taught for three years and did my WAC fellowship at Brooklyn College. I have also taught at The Cooper Union as an adjunct, and have filled various student worker positions at the GC. Come talk to me about anything from getting through your first year exams to adjusting to a grad student schedule or about teaching, working, or overseas research. If you have any health-insurance related questions, I have some experience navigating those waters as well. Reach me any time at smakowski@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Marta Millar

Marta is a doctoral student in Modern European History at the CUNY Graduate Center and a Graduate Teaching Fellow at Baruch College. Her interests include modern Germany, southern Africa, colonialism, mass violence, and public history and memory in these contexts. Her research explores postcolonial relations between Germany and Namibia, with a specific focus on the role of universities and museums in shaping public memory of the colonial past. Millar is also the Program Manager of the University of Freiburg’s North American Liaison Office and a member of the German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) New York Advisory Board. Contact her at mmillar@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Pheonix Paz

I am a second-year student in the PhD Program in History at The Graduate Center, where I study the history of transportation infrastructure and nation building in Colombia at the end of the 19^th century and in the early 20^th century. I teach a course in the history of infrastructure at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and am a co-chair for the Global Capitalisms reading group at the GC. I am happy to discuss any questions you have about the program, transitioning to graduate school after time in the workplace, dealing with work-life balance, life in the city as a newcomer (from another state or country), or any other questions you might have.  My email is ppaz@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Rashmi

I am a second-year Ph.D. student at CUNY Graduate Center and a Graduate Teaching Fellow at Brooklyn College. My research interest includes the social and political history of marginalized groups in South Asia in the colonial and postcolonial periods, with a special focus on the issues of gender, race, and the history of sexuality and social hierarchies. If you have any questions or concerns about the first year of the program, adjusting to the city, or navigating life in the GC, please feel free to write to me at rrashmi@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Keith Rosenthal

I am a second-year PhD student. My research areas of interest include disability, the working class, capitalism, social oppression, social movements, and Marxism. My geographic scope is mostly the U.S. and North America, though I am also interested in global and world-systems histories.

Melanie Rush

I am a second year American History PhD student. My research focuses on the intersections of race, gender, and law during New York’s era of gradual emancipation. I will be teaching Modern American History at Lehman College starting Fall of 2023, and will be serving as a CUNY EARS (Early American Research Seminar) co-chair for the 2023-2024 academic year. I’m happy to chat about what the first year experience is like anytime, email me at mrush1@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Maggie Schreiner

I am a PhD student and modern Americanist, and I am broadly interested in social and urban history, the history of gender and sexuality, and public history. My research focuses on housing discrimination and queer and trans organizing for affordable housing in 20th century NYC. I am currently a Teaching Assistant at Hunter College. I can answer questions about getting oriented to the GC and the history department, and the first year experience (such as the first year exams and coursework). I previously worked as an archivist, and am also happy to answer questions about primary source research and NYC archives. You can reach me at mschreiner@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Carli Snyder

I’m a PhD candidate in the History program researching feminist scholars and activists’ roles in the development of American Holocaust consciousness during the 1970s, 80s, and 90s. I have taught world and American history classes at Brooklyn College and Baruch College. Currently, I work at the American Social History Project as a researcher and writer. I am happy to discuss teaching, exam preparation, work-life balance, and anything else that comes up! You can reach me at csnyder1@gradcenter.cuny.edu

Orals Committee: Prof. Gunja SenGupta (Early U.S.), Prof. Anne Valk (Post-Reconstruction U.S.), Prof. Julia Sneeringer (Modern Europe), Prof. Dagmar Herzog (Dissertation Field)

Daniela Traldi

I am a doctoral candidate working on Latin America and Women’s and Gender History. I have a broad range of interests: gender theory, women’s movements, sexuality studies, debates on race and race relations, among other topics. My research looks into gender, race and nationalism in modern Brazil. Some of my previous work explored the extent to which ideals and cultural conceptions about womanhood were politically manipulated and/ or fully embraced by the far-right. I’m also a mentor with the CUNY Pipeline Program, which provides educational and financial support to undergraduates from groups underrepresented in universities. Many of them end up choosing the academic path via doctoral programs! I’m happy to support fellow students and/ or anyone who may be interested in becoming one!

Helena Yoo

I am a PhD candidate and focus on early America. I am particularly interested in questions about imperial connections, communication networks, and provincial identity. I am happy to talk about anything and everything about my experiences thus far at the GC and can answer questions about the first year experience (settling in, preparing for exams, etc) and about living in NYC! You can reach me at hyoo@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Amanda Westbrook

I’m a seventh-year PhD candidate with a focus on US History.  My dissertation links cultural ideals about working mothers in American media from 1890-today and explores the racialized nature of their creation.  I have taught at Hunter College, as a teaching assistant for both halves of US History and then as instructor of my own section for the second half of US History.  I took a leave of absence between my second year and third year after the birth of my second child.  I am happy to talk about research, exams, teaching, taking a leave of absence, my change in career path from finance, and everything in between. You can reach me at abrennan@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

 Orals Committee: Prof. Robyn Spencer, Prof. Dagmar Herzog, Prof. Gerald Markowitz, Prof. David Waldstreicher. Major Field: U.S. Minor Field: Gender

Yanara Schmacks

I’m a fifth-year modern Europeanist focusing on the history of twentieth-century Germany, specifically on the politics of reproduction and concepts of motherhood in the aftermath of National Socialism in both East and West. This year, I am also a doctoral fellow at the Berlin Program for Advanced German and European Studies at the Free University Berlin. I am happy to talk about Orals prep and proposal writing, about international student issues (visa, taxes, external fellowships, etc), asynchronous teaching, grad school anxieties and much more. Feel free to reach out to yschmacks@gradcenter.cuny.edu.

Orals Committee: Prof. Ben Hett (Europe), Prof. Julia Sneeringer (Europe), Prof. Gary Wilder (Intellectual History), Dagmar Herzog (Dissertation Field)