Eastern Student Sabreena Croteau of North Kingstown Presents Research Project at State History Conference

2016 Mar 18

A group of Eastern Connecticut State University history students attended and presented research at the second annual CSU "Making History" conference which was held at Central Connecticut State University on March 11.

Sabreena Croteau '16 of North Kingstown, RI, was one of the students that presented their research. Croteau is majoring in Political Science and History; the research project was titled, "The Detrimental Effects of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian Alliance."

Croteau said, "My research looks at aspects of the U.S.-Saudi Arabian relations between the Suez Crisis and 1956 and complete British withdrawal from the Gulf in 1971."

Croteau's faculty mentor is Professor Caitlin Carenen.

The conference is the outcome of the vision of the chairs of the four Connecticut State University Departments of History, who conceived of the conference as a forum for presentations and a preprofessional experience for students. It is also a networking opportunity for history students and faculty and a resource to enhance cross-campus collaborations.

Croteau added, "I took two classes during my freshman year at Eastern; Comparative Politics and the Arab-Israeli Conflict. These courses sparked my passion for the study of international relations and politics, especially as it pertains to conflict and the global balance of power. My studies in these courses revealed my desire to study the Middle East."

The students were accompanied by History Professor and Department Chair Anna Kirchmann and Professors Joan Meznar and Thomas Balcerski.

"The 'Making History' conference brings together both faculty and students in the four CSU departments," said Kirchmann. "By facilitating the exchange of academic knowledge, it helps us to get to know each other better. This year's conference was a great event and allowed our students to experience a professional conference first-hand. All of our presenters did a fantastic job and I am very proud of them."

Professor Balcerski added, "The 'Making History' conference was a banner day for Eastern. Our student presenters were absolutely fantastic and our student contingent received special accolades from the conference organizer for their quality participation and professional comportment."