About the Conference
The Wanda Washington Student Conference is the premier annual academic event of the Department of History & Global Cultures at California State University, East Bay. Established in 2017, the conference provides undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to present original research in a professional academic setting.
Each spring, students share their work through themed panels exploring a wide range of historical, cultural, and global questions. Past presentations have examined migration and diaspora, race and citizenship, environmental change, political movements, cultural memory, public history, and digital humanities. The conference welcomes students from across the university, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of historical inquiry.
Beyond presenting research, students gain valuable experience in scholarly communication, professional networking, and academic collaboration. The conference also highlights student publications, including East Bay Historia, community-based research, and public history projects, demonstrating the many ways students engage with the past beyond the classroom.
A highlight of the conference is the annual Scholarships and Awards Ceremony, recognizing outstanding student achievement and research. Thanks to the generosity of the Friends of History and other donors, the department distributes approximately $30,000 in scholarships and academic awards each year.
Honoring Wanda Washington: Celebrating Ten Years of Student Scholarship
In 2027, we proudly celebrate the 10th Annual Wanda Washington Student Conference, marking a decade of student scholarship, academic achievement, and community at Cal State East Bay.
Established in 2017, the conference was renamed in 2022 in honor of Wanda Washington, following her retirement after decades of dedicated service as the department's administrator. For generations of students and faculty, Wanda was the steady foundation of the Department of History—supporting students, sustaining programs, and helping cultivate the welcoming academic community that defines our department today.
Renaming the conference in her honor reflects our deep appreciation for her professionalism, commitment, and unwavering support of student success. As we celebrate the conference's tenth anniversary, we also recognize Wanda's enduring impact on the department and the generations of students whose educational experiences she helped shape.
The Wanda Washington Student Conference continues to stand as a living tribute to her legacy of service, excellence, and care, while celebrating the research, creativity, and achievements of today's students.
