Twin roles solidify Eastern professor as a leading regional historian

Thomas Balcerski named president, editor of 2 New England historical institutions

by Lissie Craig

Willimantic, CT (07/03/2025) — A faculty member from the Department of History at Eastern Connecticut State University has recently taken major roles with two regional historical institutions. Professor Thomas Balcerski (Ramsey, NJ, native) is the newly appointed president of the New England Historical Association (NEHA) as well as the editor of the "Connecticut History Review," a scholarly journal of the Association for the Study of Connecticut History (ASCH).

NEHA is a regional affiliate of the American Historical Association, promoting historical research nationwide. He is the first faculty member from Eastern to hold the position of president, having previously served as vice president.

"I thought this role was a natural fit because it allowed me to continue the work I had already done as vice president of NEHA," he said.

Balcerski aspires to strengthen NEHA's place as the region's premier history organization. He looks forward to celebrating the organization's 60th anniversary with a two-day conference at Nichols College this November, as well as at Middlebury College next April. New initiatives include an upcoming executive board retreat this fall and renewed efforts to grow membership among New England graduate programs.

Balcerski became the editor of the ASCH's "Connecticut History Review" after previously serving on the journal's editorial board. The journal is published biannually through the University of Illinois Press.

"The editor of the 'Connecticut History Review' has the sole focus of promoting the study of Connecticut - not just by people here, but by anyone who believes Connecticut's history is worth exploring," said Balcerski.

"It's about maintaining and growing the study of Connecticut's past on a serious academic level."

Upcoming CHR issues under his leadership include an anthology on Connecticut women's history and a special issue on 1776 Connecticut, planned for the 250th anniversary of independence in spring 2026. "My goal is to augment the journal's offerings on the recent history of the Nutmeg State, especially as smaller organizations face the challenges of sustaining their operations in the current budgetary environment."

Additional Involvements

Balcerski is also the director of Eastern's Center for Connecticut Studies, located in the J. Eugene Smith Library, as well as a board member for Connecticut Humanities and the Connecticut Coalition for History.

He credited the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system for the constant opportunities to get involved in regional events, such as being a judge for the annual Connecticut History Day competition.

"The CSCU history departments are doing the work. We're keeping Connecticut history alive and well," he said. "I'm trying to be a historian for Connecticut. Not just someone who studies it, but someone who uplifts all of the people who are a part of its history community."

Balcerski added that his motivations are rooted in the opportunity to make history more accessible and interesting to the public, as well as to provide greater support to the Eastern students he works with.

"To me, the most important part of being a professor is to help the students I mentor," he said. "It doesn't matter what you've achieved if you aren't also helping others along the way. That's what motivates me."

Ongoing Research

Balcerski is combining his expertise as a presidential historian with his interest in Connecticut history in his current research on former President George H.W. Bush.

"I've taken on a new project connecting presidential politics to Connecticut's history through the Bush family and their deep ties to Greenwich," he said. "It's the perfect project - it brings together my interests in presidential history and Connecticut's local history in a meaningful way."

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