Advising

The Department of History advisors at Western Michigan University work to support and enrich your academic experience by helping with curricular decisions and providing information and guidance on extracurricular options, career paths and post-graduate plans.

Book an Appointment

New to WMU Student Advising

If you are a freshman starting at WMU in Spring 2023, you must first take part in the Orientation process through the Office of Student Transitions, during which you will meet with an advisor.

Transfer students may set up an appointment at any time using the yellow "Book an Appointment" icon up above..

Current Student Advising

Meet with your academic advisor every semester to discuss graduation requirements, get help selecting correct courses, and have questions answered about the Department of History.  Students can select virtual or in-person appointments.

Advising for History Majors and Minors

To receive advising on Western Essential Studies and history courses, or to declare a major or minor in History, students should consult with McKenzie Vliek, the History advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences Advising Office. You can schedule an appointment with her using the yellow "Book an Appointment" icon up above.

The Department of History also encourages students to reach out to any faculty member in the department with questions about individual areas of history, advice on choosing or changing different tracks of history majors (history major, secondary education major and public history) and how they would serve your career goals, information about applying to graduate schools and other matters. Visit our department directory and then click on the names of individual faculty members to view their areas of specialization.

The following faculty members in the department are serving as point persons to communicate with students about the following fields of history and direct you to other faculty members in other fields, or to assist with other issues:

Dr. David Benac (Public History, Environmental History)

Dr. Linda Borish (American Sport History, Gender, U.S. History)

Dr. José António Brandão (Early North American History, Canada, Native Americans)

Dr. Wilson Warren (Modern American History, Teacher Education, Food History)

Dr. Eli Rubin (Modern European History, World History)

Dr. James Palmitessa (Medieval and Early Modern European History, World History)

Dr. Takashi Yoshida (Japanese, Non-Western Histories, World History).

Contact these individuals directly by email with your questions or to schedule a phone call or video chat.

The Department of History office, located in 4301 Friedmann Hall, is open Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call (269) 387-4650 or email our Administrative Assistant, Kevin Bunkley, or the Department Chair, Linda Borish, to initiate an inquiry.