The History Department at UMass Lowell provides a broad introduction to civilizations of the past and present, including those of antiquity, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas. Read more...

UMass Lowell History Alum Spotlight: Corey Nadeau ('21)

UMass Lowell Alum, Adjunct Professor and Lowell Firefighter Corey Nadeau sitting in front of a computer with a UML History Club sweatshirt on.

All his life, Corey Nadeau wanted to be a firefighter, but he also took interest in the possibility of teaching history. He is now doing both.

Before college, Corey served in the Air Force. After completing his contract with the military, he used his GI Bill benefits to study History at UMass Lowell. He excelled in his undergraduate program, graduating summa cum laude. He then went on to complete a master’s degree (2022) in Public Administration to prepare for work in the fire department. In February 2023, he became a full-time firefighter in Lowell.

But before becoming a firefighter, Corey was invited by the UMass Lowell History Department to teach, as an adjunct professor, one of the online courses he had formerly taken: “Western Civilization I.” When he took that class, he found it fascinating learning about Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages, the Renaissance, and more. Now he is the one guiding students through the same material. Corey has been teaching "Western Civ" for three semesters.

Meet Our Students and Alumni

Sarah Elizabeth McDermott center flanked by the other members of Protohype
Sarah Elizabeth McDermott '22
History

Sarah Elizabeth McDermott is grateful for scholarships that are helping her to graduate debt-free, because in the future she won’t have to say “No” to any opportunities.

UMass Lowell is an affordable school, and it’s a great education.
Read More About Sarah Elizabeth McDermott 
Olivia Hebert seated in front of a set of computers
Olivia Hebert '23
Finance and Marketing

Olivia Hebert discovered a passion for corporate real estate at UMass Lowell.

I was exposed to a lot more at UMass Lowell than I ever thought I would be. I grew up, matured and learned.
Read More About Olivia Hebert 
Neil Oliveria pictured with his family after being inducted into history honors society, Phi Alpha Theta
Neil Oliveria '18, '19
History & Education

Neil Oliveria, already a grandfather, is pursuing degrees in history and education so he can embark on a new career as a teacher.

Coming to UMass Lowell is the best decision I’ve made in the past 20 years.
Read More About Neil Oliveria 
Bradley Sherwood helps a child weave on a loom at summer camp at the Tsongas Industrial History Center
Bradley Sherwood '20
History

Bradley Sherwood explains history to school children and adults at the Tsongas Industrial History Center, an educational partnership between the university and Lowell National Historical Park.

The city appealed to me. There’s a lot to do here.
Read More About Bradley Sherwood 
Kady Phelps with Kim Cosgrove in front of an exhibit they recently completed about St. Joseph’s Hospital, which was located where University Crossing now stands
Kady Phelps '17, '18
History

Kady Phelps came to UMass Lowell to major in education, but history caught up with her. She earned her master’s degree in history and the Excellence in Students Cultural Heritage Award for her work on an exhibit about Portuguese immigration to Lowell.

I feel really blessed to be in Massachusetts and here in Lowell in particular, with all the history.
Read More About Kady Phelps 
  • From left to right in this 1988 black and white photo: then-U.S. Rep. Chester Atkins, the late Massachusetts Sen. Paul Tsongas, and the first director of the Tsongas Industrial History Center, the late Ed Pershey.

    Tsongas Industrial History Center Celebrates 30 Years of Hands-On Learning

    The Tsongas Industrial History Center, a partnership between the university’s School of Education and Lowell National Historical Park, has welcomed more than 1.4 million students and teachers from around New England for hands-on lessons about Lowell’s history, technology and environment since its founding in 1991. 
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  • A student walks past an educational sign about Indigenous peoples

    New Campus Signs Tell History of Lowell’s Indigenous Peoples

    A group of UMass Lowell students and faculty created educational signs across campus to spread community awareness and knowledge of Indigenous peoples who were originally settled on the local land.
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  • Chris Carlsmith and Deirdre Hutchison

    Pieces of the Past: Students Dig Up History in Lowell

    At a dig site at 509 Market St. in Lowell, students from UMass Lowell, UMass Boston and Queen’s University Belfast searched for artifacts from a grocery store and dwelling that was operated by Irish immigrant Patrick Keyes in the mid-1800s.
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  • A group of students pose with their professor in front of Big Ben in London

    Students Steeped in History in England and Scotland

    Sixteen students joined Visiting Lecturer Lauren Fogle for the History Department’s first study abroad course, “Topics in History,” a two-week trip to England and Scotland.
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