Alumni Profiles
Jessica Leaf, 2014:
Most people do not believe me when I say I was a history major. I mean, what does
history have to do with saving people? The historian is that overly-erudite individual
locked away in the library, a veritable Gollum mumbling "my precious" over fragments
of ancient parchment and fossilized Viking feces (yes, there is such a thing).
Since graduating from the University of Dallas in December 2013, I have been a part
of The A21 Campaign, an international organization that works tirelessly to abolish the injustice of
modern slavery in the 21st century. Through its four-prong approach, that is partnership,
protection, prevention and prosecution, The A21 Campaign offers individuals of all
ages, occupations and genders the opportunity to be modern abolitionists, using their
unique skills and talents.
Yet, you may ask, what does that have to do with my degree? Everything. As Confucius
(purportedly) once said, "study the past if you would define the future." Through
my study of history, I have been able to define a future where all men and women are
free. Indeed, learning history at UD has given me a vision to fight for, much like
Constantine's legendary Chi-Rho.
Grace Ballor, 2012:
I am a historian interested in the international political economy of contemporary Europe, the international influence of economic actors, and the intersections of global capitalism and global governance. I am currently Assistant Professor of International Economic History at Bocconi University. Before moving to Milan, I held research fellowships at Harvard Business School, the European University Institute, and the Graduate Institute Geneva. I earned my PhD at UCLA.
At Bocconi, I co-direct the research stream on Economic & Monetary Integration at the Bocconi Lab for European Studies, serve as the institutional representative of the CIVICA research project “Europe Revisited,” and am a member of the Dondena Research Centre for Social Dynamics and Public Policy. Elsewhere, I am also Associate Fellow at the Centre for Business, Human Rights, and the Environment at Nova Law School in Lisbon. And in 2023-2024, I am a research fellow at the Center for Advanced Studies (KFG) on "Universalism and Particularism" in Contemporary European History at LMU Munich.
"The University of Dallas History Department, its rigorous curriculum and generous faculty mentors led me from my early academic career as a Classicist through the timeline of Western Civilization to a Politics degree focused on Enlightenment thought and eventually to a History thesis on the E.U.s Common Agricultural Policy and its effect on French wine growers. It was that thesis, advised by UD's Charles Sullivan, which propelled me into doctoral research on the European Union. Such a progressive trajectory actually proves the value of the historical methodology and an education grounded in its attention to primary source documents, respect for contingency, tools of analysis, and critical thinking, an education that readies one for success in any field. "
Jose Healy, 2012:
Jose graduated from the University of Dallas in 2012, a few months after writing his
history thesis which assessed the impact of the emerging U.S. Federal Reserve System
and its policies in the years after the monumental stock market crash of 1929.
The research and writing skills honed through UD's liberal arts education, and the history program specifically, helped him transition to his current position at The Wall Street Journal, where he has helped produce the Latin American online and print editions since September 2012 by translating, adapting and editing articles. Though Livy, Homer and More don't make the headlines every day at the Journal, the intellectual habits formed from studying these authors and many others during his four years at UD continue to inform his daily decisions and actions, both inside and outside the office.
Madeleine Klem McDowell, 2012:
Madeleine Klem McDowell is a historian of the nineteenth century whose research has
focused on the religious, cultural, and intellectual history of the English-speaking
world. She holds a PhD from the University of Notre Dame. She recently published
with Monica Kelm, Pity for Evil Suffrage, Abortion, and Women's Empowerment in Reconstruction America.
The department, and particularly the experience of writing my senior thesis, provided an excellent introduction to the discipline. My current research developed out of and builds on my senior thesis. But perhaps more importantly, studying history at UD in the context of the Core trained me to assume that there should be conversations across and among disciplines. And that habit, I am convinced, makes for more interesting and compelling historical questions. UD's combination of strong majors, like history, and the Core's breadth and depth is powerful and I wouldn't trade it for anything.
Peter Raia, 2012:
My senior thesis, titled "The Baconian Legacy in Great Britain: Three Moments in the
History of Science and Technology," explored and expounded upon the substantial association
between the program of Baconian science and the process of industrialization in Great
Britain, which contributed to the significant rise in wealth in the West. Writing
this thesis truly was the capstone of my education at UD, as it allowed me to combine
the diverse elements of a liberal arts education into a single unified project.
I learned skills that have been crucial in helping me develop and progress as an individual and as a professional. From Professor Cupp I learned the importance and utility of always having a detailed outline of where I want to go. From Professor Gibson I learned how to make detailed but concise presentations, as well as how to effectively use PowerPoint presentations without boring my students or audience. I am eternally grateful to all of my professors at UD, but especially to Dr. Sullivan, who taught me how vital it is, not only to think critically, but to think creatively. His brilliance and passion for history have been truly inspirational for me.
I am currently both the Social Media Director and the Stage Manager for The All-American Boys Chorus, a world-renowned, non-profit organization of music education and leadership training for boys. My training in the History Department at UD has enabled me to better analyze our situation, and to think creatively on how to improve it. In addition to working for the AABC, I have also been spending my time since graduation volunteering as an Adult Literacy Tutor at the local library.
Monica Abbracciamento, 2011:
Monica graduated from the University of Dallas in May 2011, having combined her history
degree with an International Studies concentration. She wrote her senior thesis "Woodrow
Wilson and Mexico: Writing Large in a Small Place," on American involvement in the
1910 Revolution. She is now an advertising Account Executive. Upon graduation, she
spent a year in New York City, working on the American Express brand at Ogilvy and
Mather. In the fall of 2012, Monica joined The Richards Group, where she is currently
responsible for managing the Wawa brand, overseeing client relationships and all aspects
of creative development and execution.
Kaitlyn Willy, 2011:
When asked what was the most fun experience of their college career, most UD students
tend to talk about Rome. For Kaitlyn Willy of the class of 2011, the answer was instead
writing her History thesis about J.R.R. Tolkien's life as a study in classical pedagogy
with Dr. John Sommerfeldt as her advisor. With a concentration in Ancient Greek and
her BA in History, Kaitlyn was well prepared for the Echo Program at the University
of Notre Dame, the faith formation and leadership program through which she received
her MA . The History program at UD granted Kaitlyn a better understanding of the Church
in the history of the world as well as a thorough knowledge of Church History, both
of which have been extremely beneficial in her graduate studies and in her job at
Butler University as the Director of Catholic Campus Ministry.