Department Staff
Department Chair:
Bruce Cumings
Chair of the Department
(773)702-8395 | SSRB 331
The department chair’s responsibilities include general oversight of department programs, procedures, committees, and appointments, and supervision of staff and budget.
Office Staff:
David Goodwine
Department Office Assistant
(773)702-8397 | SSRB 330
Graduate students contact me about scheduling the orals examination, the dissertation proposal, the final dissertation defense, and graduation. Together with Sonja, I am here to help answer your questions about the department, the university, etc. Also, I assist prospective students with arranging appointments to meet with faculty and administrators. Please contact me two-weeks beforehand. Autumn quarter (October and November) are the best times to visit.
Cyndee Breshock
Administrator for Chair and Faculty Affairs
(773)702-8394 | SSRB 331
I oversee the daily operations and administrative functions of the department office, and serve as the primary departmental liaison to divisional, university, and external agencies. I manage the administrative processes for faculty and academic non-faculty recruitment, appointments and promotions; and provide support to the Chair. I also coordinate graduate students' work/study awards and schedule the John Hope Franklin Common Room (SSRB 224), which is available for workshops, lectures, and conferences.
Sonja Rusnak
Graduate Affairs Administrator
(773)702-3150 | SSRB 329
I advise graduate students on registration procedures, program requirements, and funding, am responsible for assuring that requirements are met in a timely manner, untie bureaucratic knots, and serve as the students' liaison to the Graduate Student Affairs and Fellowships Committees. Please feel free to email, call, or stop by if you have any questions.
Pat Princell
Faculty Secretary
(773)702-5961 | SSRB 334
Hours in History: M/W mornings and Tu/Th/F afternoons.
I work part-time in the History Department, helping with the quarterly schedules of classes and faculty with correspondence and book orders.
Peter Simons
Undergraduate Coordinator
(773)702-2178 | SSRB 225
Autumn Hours: M-Th
1:30-4:30
I am a graduate student in the History Department who works part-time in the Department office. I help
undergraduates who major in History, and I serve as a source of information and as a contact with the Department, the Collegiate Affairs Committee and the preceptors. I send out quarterly newsletters, information about internships and fellowships, and maintain the undergraduate web pages and bulletin board (2nd floor Social Science Bldg.).