Kaitlyn Coons

Hello! My name is Kaitlyn Coons and I am a third-year student from sunny San Diego. I am currently pursuing a double major in history and Classical Civilization along with a minor in Digital Humanities. My passion for history stems from my insatiable curiosity and resulting love of reading. History is the ultimate story, or –maybe more accurately– the ultimate collection of stories. As a student of history, it is my job to read, critically analyze, and present authentic stories of peoples past. What could be more exciting than that? I have become especially interested in ancient and early modern Roman cultural and intellectual history and I hope to begin a departmental honors thesis this academic year. Beyond school, I love to swim, run, and bake in my dorm room microwave! 

Navigating the complexities and downstream impacts of deciding one’s major(s) is a daunting task even for those that are clear on their path. As part of the History Undergraduate Advisory Board, I look forward to helping my peers connect with the amazing history department –students, faculty, and staff– to find their passion and “their people.” I am excited to share my love for the subject and welcome others into this inclusive and supportive major. I hope this year will be full of new and exciting opportunities for the history community!

Maryam Dewji

My name is Maryam Dewji, and I am a second-year transfer student from Fullerton College. I am a history major currently working on an honors thesis focusing on the historical analysis of Shia Islam along the East African (Swahili) coast. Along with working on my thesis, I am on the MSA (Muslim Student Association) board serving as the Shia student representative. It is an honor to work alongside my peers to progress the minority Muslim community. 

My interests in the field of history specifically include East African and American history. After graduation I plan to pursue a PhD in history in hopes of teaching American history. Being a product of incredible and encouraging history teachers and professors, I want to share my passion and perspective in order to instill in others the importance of learning history as a means of gaining a holistic understanding of the world around us. As a Muslim-American daughter of immigrants, I hope to bring my experiences to expand inclusivity in the history department through the HUAB and encourage more individuals to pursue majoring in history. 

Aside from my academics and extracurriculars, I love to travel and spend time with my family and friends along with supporting both my sports teams - Lakers and Real Madrid. I look forward to learning from and working alongside my fellow peers on the HUAB. 

Michaela Esposito

Hello! My name is Michaela Esposito and I am a second-year student majoring in History. I’m

very excited to be a part of HUAB this year and I look forward to being able to meet other

students who are passionate about the study of history and humanities. As a part of HUAB, I will

strive to foster a strong sense of pride and collaboration in the UCLA History community, as

well as help facilitate transparency and communication between undergraduate students and the

History department. I firmly believe that history is one of the most important topics that one can

learn; through it, we can understand the culmination of events in the past that led to what we are

currently experiencing in the world today. I also value how history is a mechanism of

story-telling and how it can be used to unearth untold stories of the past. When I’m not in class, I

love to crochet, read, and visit museums in the LA area! After graduating, I hope to attend

graduate school and pursue a career in either museum curation or academia.

Tate Heinse

My name is Tate Heinse, and I am a second-year student from Sonoma County, CA. I am currently majoring in History, but I hope to double major in European Languages and Transcultural Studies with French and Francophone. I found my love for history in high school, but my passion for the discipline is constantly renewed with each course I take at UCLA. I do not have a specific area that I hope to study because as long as human society has existed, there have been fascinating events and phenomena. I tend to enjoy learning about monarchies, though. Following my undergraduate studies, I hope to either attend either law school or a different graduate program in History. If I’m not a lawyer, I would like to work as a historian, curator, or archivist. Clubs I am involved with at UCLA include Legal Underground and Le Cercle Francophone (French Club). I have a lengthy service background as well, helping organize fundraisers, canned food drives, and blood drives for my local community. As a member of UCLA’s HUAB, I hope to help those unsure of their path to discover a passion in history and further involve myself in the History community here at UCLA.

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Kevin Kerr

Hello! My name is Kevin Kerr, and I am a transfer senior from Saddleback College in Mission Viejo, California. I am very delighted to be accepted again into HUAB. For three years prior to attending UCLA, I had the honor of working for the San Clemente Utilities Department alongside some of the best individuals to walk this Earth. My duties consisted of primarily construction with the potable water distribution system. There was also the added benefit of working near my uncle, who I would regularly see around the maintenance yard. As a first-generation college student, I am excited to lead my family into the prospect of higher education. Although I am 26 and not of traditional university age, I am excited to pursue a major in History. Unsurprisingly, one of my favorite topics of history is water distribution and sanitation throughout the ages. Whether it is a Roman aqueduct or the intricacies of the toilet, I am fascinated. When I am not studying history, I am exercising, reading, or spending time with my family. Sometimes all I need is a game of cribbage to make my day. If any of you see me on campus, please feel free to say hello and introduce yourselves as I am always ready for civil discussion. As of now, I am still deciding between the world of academia and my old career in construction. However, my reverence for history continually grows each day, and surrounded by astute scholars, like my fellow members of the board, I feel as if I can be of great benefit to the department.

Ellen Lu

Greetings! My name is Ellen Lu, and I am a second-year student majoring in History and minoring in Theater. I am absolutely honored to be serving for the HUAB and I hope to help create an even more positive and inclusive undergraduate experience where students feel encouraged to come forward and participate within the History Department’s community. As a historian, I hope to uncover invisible stories and amplify unsung heroes. I am extremely passionate about history as both a discipline and a set of teachings that are incredibly important to society. By learning about the past, we are able to avoid mistakes and work for a more inclusive and kinder future. Currently, I am involved with Associated Students UCLA (ASUCLA) and the UCLA Association of Chinese Americans. I am also an intern for the Department of State, working in profiles in service, institutional reform, and leadership development. In my free time, I enjoy knitting, reading fantasy books, and creative writing. As a member of the HUAB, I hope to utilize all my experiences to help create a welcoming and accessible environment in the history community.

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Aylin Ramirez

Hello! My name is Aylín Ramírez and I am a fourth-year majoring in History and double minoring in Spanish and Community Engagement/Social Change. I am very excited to work with other members to ensure the needs of undergraduate students, especially those of color, be heard. I hope we can continue to create unique opportunities for our undergraduate population to network with one another, but also with our professors and their diverse fields of study. Besides HUAB, I am one of the Artistic Directors for Grupo Folklórico de UCLA, a student-run dance group that seeks to celebrate Latinx heritage while providing a safe space for students to be seen and grow. I am also a member of the Phi Alpha Theta National History Honor Society and the Latinx Pre-Law Association. After graduation, I plan to attend law school and focus on immigration rights. It is an honor to serve for my third, and last time, on HUAB for the 2022-23 academic year.  

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Emily Rusting

My name is Emily Rusting, and I am a second-year student double majoring in History and Political Science. I'm interested in the areas of intersection between History and Politics, including national identity, historical memory, and imperialism/colonialism. I also feel passionate about the interdisciplinary potential of History in general. I strongly believe that evaluating the past is key to developing innovative and perceptive ways to move forward in any profession or discipline.

In addition to the HUAB, I volunteer with two on-campus research initiatives in the Political Science department; one focuses on immigrant representation in local government, and the other focuses on American news media attitudes toward China. I'm also involved with the Writer's Den and Bruin Political Union, and I play flute in the UCLA Marching Band. I am excited to contribute to enhancing the undergraduate experience through the HUAB this year!

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Sela Tran

Hello! My name is Sela Tran and I am currently a fourth year student double majoring in history and psychology from Torrance, California. I plan on going to grad school for history and becoming an educator in the future. I am extremely interested in United States history, specifically in cultural and media studies. I hope to explore multimedia archive research in order to make history and historical education more accessible and inclusive. With HUAB, I hope to provide even more resources for current and incoming students and foster a positive and supportive community between faculty and students within the department this year. As someone passionate about both history and UCLA, I am so excited to be a part of the History Undergraduate Advisory Board and make a difference on campus this year!