Rollins

Who are we? Where did we come from? Where are we going? As a history major at Rollins, you’ll explore these pressing questions as you learn to think critically, write persuasively, and make connections between the past and the present. Our history majors don’t just graduate with a degree—they graduate with a deep understanding of the historical antecedents that shape our world today.

Through a curriculum designed to introduce students to a variety of perspectives in and outside the classroom, you’ll investigate an array of geographic regions, identify and pursue your passions, and forge lifelong relationships on campus, in our community, and around the world.


Why Study History at Rollins

  1. Apply Your Knowledge

    Our Applied History course requirement empowers majors to put their ideas to work in the world. This experience hones your historical knowledge in a range of real-world settings, from field studies to internships.

  2. Collaborate with Experts

    Every student has the opportunity to collaborate with our faculty on the kind of research typically reserved for grad school. Past projects have explored local history and resulted in publications.

  3. Broaden Your Worldview

    Rollins’ history curriculum is designed to expose you to a wide range of cultures across time and space. From ancient Rome to the communist China, you’ll learn how belief systems develop over time.

Interested in Studying History at Rollins?

Sign up to receive more information about living and learning at Rollins.

Matthew Hendry ’15 on the steps of the U.S. Capitol.

“The skills I learned as a history major at Rollins have proved to be an invaluable foundation to continuing my education in law school. The upper-level courses in particular helped prepare me for the amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking that would be necessary. Additionally, the ability to conduct research gave me a leg up when I spent a gap year working for a think tank on Capitol Hill.”

Matthew Hendry ’15

Assistant State Attorney, Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit


Rollins History Careers

Rollins history grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and innovative companies.

  • Sebastian Novak

    Sebastian Novak ’12

    Associate, Classic Abstract LTD

  • Self portrait of Danielle Johnson.

    Danielle Johnson ’16

    Founder and Director of Operations, Guided MissDirection

  • Sydney Marshall

    Sydney Marshall ’16

    Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant, Duke University

  • Self portrait of Matt St. Jean

    Matt St. Jean ’11

    Sports Anchor, WTVA

  • TJ Holloway

    TJ Holloway ’13

    Campus Recruiting Project Manager, Point B

  • Samuel Toomey

    Samuel Toomey ’16

    Associate, Brown Rudnick LLP


Real World Experience

From community engagement courses to internships and research, history students hone their skills in the real world.

  • Orange County Regional History Center
  • Walt Disney
  • Winter Park Magazine
  • Hannibal Square Heritage Center
Professor and students in a class discussion at a Rollins outdoor classroom

See for Yourself

Get a feel for Rollins’ unique brand of engaged learning and personalized attention through one of our virtual or in-person visit experiences.

Take a Closer Look

Popular Courses


A Day in the Life of a Rollins History Major

“Taking classes with Dr. Claire Strom has truly changed my academic experience at Rollins. Her classes are fascinating and challenging. Overall, the history faculty truly cares about our success. They’re so invested in the students and in helping us understand how we can change our future for the better.”

Grace Marshall ’20

MA Candidate, Johns Hopkins University 


Beyond the Classroom

Immersive Global Experiences From Germany to Greece and China to Vietnam, Rollins offers history majors a host of study-abroad experiences all over the globe. In recent years, history students have explored the Athenian acropolis and hiked the Tonkinese Alps—all while earning credit toward their major.

Professional Presentations Each year, members of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honor society, showcase their historical acumen as presenters at regional and national conferences. Faculty advisors support students every step of the way as they submit proposals, practice presentations, and travel to events.

Community Partnerships Our majors enjoy exclusive internship and engagement opportunities thanks to partnerships between the Rollins history department and leading community organizations like the Winter Park Historical Association, the Orange County Regional History Center, and the Hannibal Square Heritage Center.


History students on a study abroad experience in Athens, Greece.

Expert Faculty

Our faculty specialize in a wide range of topics—from modern China to the history of Byzantium. This diverse expertise offers our history majors a broad view of the world, and also adds historical context and nuance to many interdisciplinary studies at Rollins.

Department of History

Cornell Hall for the Social Sciences
1000 Holt Ave. – 2762
Winter Park, FL 32789

Telephone: 407.646.2155

Fax: 407.646.2363

Visit the Department of History Website

Contact History Professors

  • Hannah Ewing

    Hannah Ewing, PhD

    Associate Professor of History

    Research interests: Byzantine Empire, ancient and medieval Mediterranean, and the history of monastic reform

  • Joshua Savala

    Joshua Savala, PhD

    Assistant Professor of History

    Research interests: Modern Latin America, Peru, Chile, labor and working-class history, oceans in history, and social movements

  • Claire Strom

    Claire Strom, PhD

    Professor of History

    Research interests: U.S. history, especially American sexuality and the Vietnam War

  • Yusheng Yao

    Yusheng Yao, PhD

    Professor of History

    Research interests: Modern China, modern education reform, and rural reconstruction