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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 91²Ö¿â

  1. 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. 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. 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 Vietnam War, you’ll learn how belief systems develop over time.

Interested in Studying History at Rollins?

Sign up to receive more info about what it’s like to be a history major at 91²Ö¿âand to connect with a professor.

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

“The skills I learned as a history major at 91²Ö¿âhave 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.â€

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

Assistant State Attorney, Florida’s 10th Judicial Circuit

91²Ö¿âstudents at a museum.

Dive Into History

The mission of the Department of History is to make you aware of how historical thinking can help you understand who you are, where you came from, and how you can make intelligent decisions about where you are going. Studying the past will allow you the knowledge to better understand forces shaping contemporary debates and issues.

See What You'll Learn

91²Ö¿âHistory Careers

91²Ö¿âhistory grads are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most prestigious institutions and innovative companies.

  • Self portrait of Sebastian Novak

    Sebastian Novak ’12

    Associate, Classic Abstract LTD

  • Self portrait of Danielle Johnson.

    Danielle Johnson ’16

    Founder and Director of Operations, Guided MissDirection

  • Self portrait of Sydney Marshall

    Sydney Marshall ’16

    Graduate Student and Teaching Assistant, Duke University

  • Devorah Burgess '21

    Devorah Burgess '21

    Assistant Archivist, Walt Disney Archives


  • Self portrait of TJ Holloway

    TJ Holloway ’13

    Campus Recruiting Project Manager, Point B

  • Self portrait of Samuel Toomey

    Samuel Toomey ’16

    Associate, Brown Rudnick LLP

91²Ö¿â students enjoying lunch by the Lakeside pool.

Experience 91²Ö¿âIRL

There’s no better way to get a feel for life at 91²Ö¿âthan by scheduling a campus tour.

Schedule a Visit

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

Popular Courses

Our history courses help shape you into a global citizen and prepare you for a wide variety of careers thanks to a focus on research, writing, and communicating ideas effectively to many audiences.


A Day in the Life of a 91²Ö¿âHistory 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.â€

Grace Marshall ’20

MA Candidate, Johns Hopkins University 

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

Beyond the Classroom

Immersive Global Experiences From Germany to Greece and China to Vietnam, 91²Ö¿âoffers 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 91²Ö¿âhistory department and leading community organizations like the Winter Park Historical Association, the Orange County Regional History Center, and the Hannibal Square Heritage Center.



Keep Exploring

Take a deeper dive into history at 91²Ö¿âby meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.

February 12, 2026

91²Ö¿âHistory Students Present at Regional Conference

Ten 91²Ö¿âhistory majors and minors presented their research at the Florida Conference of Historians in Gainesville, Florida, with topics ranging from the Vietnam War and eugenics to St. Wivina and gentrification in Orlando.

91²Ö¿âHistory Students Present at Regional Conference
History professor Hannah Ewing and history major Carly A. Quinn ’17 at commencement

January 09, 2026

Ewing and Quinn ’17 Collaborate on Podcast Episode

History professor Hannah Ewing and history major Carly A. Quinn ’17 recently pooled their respective areas of expertise in Byzantine history and public history.

Ewing and Quinn ’17 Collaborate on Podcast Episode
Jack Lane ’06H

April 03, 2025

Professor Emeritus Jack Lane ’06H Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Emeritus history professor Jack Lane ’06H has earned the Michael V. Gannon Lifetime Achievement Award from the Florida Historical Society.

Professor Emeritus Jack Lane ’06H Wins Lifetime Achievement Award
Claire Strom and students.

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.

Meet Your Professors