An interview with John Cabot University’s freshly formed History and Humanities Society’s board members. 

Spotlight

By Paula Fernandez / Matthew staff | Edited by Kayla Muller

I recently sat down with the board members of the newly formed History and Humanities Society to get the inside scoop on the club and what they are all about. President Elaine Deer, Vice-President Jacob Madsen, Secretary Mari Tionko, Treasurer Alana Atkinson, and Social Media Manager Maya Randolph shared their excitement and plans for this brand-new club.  

Fernandez: What inspired you to create the club, and what is your overall vision for the group? 

Deer: I initially started it because the history and humanities program is very scattered with its students, so it can be hard to get to know each other and to connect with each other. We wanted a place where we could all be brought together, to build up the history and humanities community and to support the students inside and outside of John Cabot. 

Madsen: Another big reason for why we created this club is because a lot of students do not know what to do postgrad, after they get their degrees. So, we aim to educate them on the different career opportunities within the humanities, either inside or outside of academia. 

Fernandez: Do you offer networking opportunities? 

Tionko: We are hoping to because it seems like when you are a history major and are looking for internships, the options are limited besides working for museums. They are more directed towards art historians rather than historians. It is a completely different playing field. Now that we have established the society formally, we are hoping to push the university more so we can get those opportunities.  

Deer: Even outside of networking and internship opportunities, we simply want to inform students of what options are out there and how to pursue those options– things like how to apply to postgraduate programs. We want to inform the students within the society.  

Fernandez: Can you give me an idea about the kinds of activities and events that you are planning? 

Atkinson: We have lectures planned; we are also planning a trip to Villa Farnesina.  

Madsen: We hope that as the club expands and grows over the years, we can start branching out into Rome, potentially taking some trips once we fully establish ourselves. 

Deer: At the moment, as we are growing, we are doing lectures, collaborations with other clubs, we already have some planned with the Queer Alliance, the Board Game club, and next month with the Film Appreciation Club. We also have a discussion with an alumni planned for those interested in postgraduate opportunities.  

Fernandez: What do you hope the society will achieve within its first year? 

Everyone: Get people to join! 

Madsen: We are hoping to establish ourselves within the JCU community among the other clubs, get a good footing. That’s it for its first year. After we have done that, we will start expanding our goals. 

Fernandez: So, what personally motivated each of you to join the board and what role do you see yourself playing in the society’s development? 

Deer: I asked if anyone thought about doing a History and Humanities society; but I got roped into making it, so it was not a straightforward choice, but I am happy I did. I do want to bring more community into the department, and I want to connect on a personal level with other students. It is also out of love and deep passion for history and humanities, which I do not think are always fully appreciated.  

Tionko: For me, it is because Alana asked me if I wanted to join the board. It was a pleasure for me. I grew up loving history and humanities, my father and grandfather raised me with it. What is interesting about it is that neither of them are history majors. Many people are history nerds but are not exactly studying history. So that is what I wanted to do with the history and humanities society, even if people are not focusing on it career-wise and doing it as a hobby, or a side interest, we want them in and their thoughts. We want those discussions because it is different when talking with casual enjoyers than with people who study it. I like seeing those interactions and the different perspectives that they bring.   

Madsen: I remember Elaine and I were sitting on one of the terraces and she told me she had been thinking about starting up a club for the History and Humanities department. I have founded clubs in the past and I know that it can be a stressful situation to get everything off the ground, but in the end, it really does help people come together. It brings people from various backgrounds together, which excited me to join. Since everyone in the department is scattered and spread out, we do not see everybody, so it is nice to have a place where everyone can come together.  

Atkinson: I heard about it through Mari. In my first two years at JCU, I met five classics majors and they were my roommates, so I did not even know there were that many people. We saw everyone in the society at our first meeting and realized that there are so many people that may not be so dedicated or may not want to go into any of those careers but are interested in history and want to learn more. It’s a great opportunity, especially because we are in Rome, to go out and explore that history and everyone should get the chance to do it, and we want to help people do that.  

Randolph: My answer is pretty similar to the others. I remember Elaine announcing it at one of the classes last year, and I was excited to join. I had not met any history majors besides one of my roommates and I was excited to be a part of bringing people together. I am the social media manager, so I aim to facilitate that, reaching out to people through social media.  

Fernandez: How do you plan to lure people in to attract new members? 

Deer: Through social media. 

Tionko: Collaborating with clubs who are already established could help us get some solid footing. We just started, so collaborating with clubs such as Queer Alliance and the Board Game Club, they have been here for a while and it can introduce people to us. 

Deer: Also, a lot of word-of-mouth– every time I hear someone say they are a history or humanities major I tell them about the club. 

Randolph: We are hoping that through word-of-mouth people will start to know that we are an established club so that as time passes, we will be known. 

Deer: Also, you doing this interview! 

Fernandez: Where do you see the History and Humanities Society in the next years and how will you ensure its sustainability beyond your current leadership? 

Atkinson: We have not thought too far into the future, but right now we want to be a stable community. We want people to be prepared in advance for the future roles they will take, so maybe a semester before we leave that role, we will have someone shadow us at board meetings so they know what they are doing and how to take on  the responsibilities.  

Deer: In five years or so, I would like the society to be one of those truly well-established clubs at JCU like how the Art History Society is in a sense, one that everyone knows it’s there. I would like for us at some point to be able to do bigger events such as soirees or galas and be able to do some outside visits or go on trips. Although I do not know if this will be possible in the next year or two, it is definitely something we would like to do. We would like to have an artifact put on display at the university. We have many ideas that at this current stage are not necessarily possible, but in three, four, five years hopefully will be. To ensure that we can get to that point we have to facilitate the community within the society and let them know that this is a place where they can come and meet people who share similar interests and who will be welcoming to them. Also, making sure the people who fill the leadership roles are passionate and we will help them know what to do.  

Fernandez: Anything else you would like to add? 

Randolph: Follow us on Instagram at @hhsocietyjcu. 

Madsen: Let us know if you want to join our mailing list. 

Deer: Come to our meetings every other Tuesday in G.G.1. 

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The History and Humanities Society is all about bringing students together who share an interest in history and the humanities. Through events, collaborations, and networking opportunities, the club hopes to help members connect, learn, and grow both academically and personally. With big plans, the society is excited to make its mark at John Cabot University and offer students a space to explore career paths and build community.