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About Us

Southland History Collective

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Our Story

The Southland History Collective was founded in 2022 with a small DEI grant from Governors State University. We were interested in helping Governors State students and faculty develop a deep attachment to our university's special place in Chicago culture. As an interdisciplinary team, we are committed to community engaged work that helps to cultivate an inclusive Southland regional identity through historical and educational work.

Meet The Team

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Megan VanGorder, PhD

Assistant Professor of History, Illinois State University

Project Co-Director

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Lisa Pennington, PhD

Associate Professor of Education, Governors State University

Project Co-Director

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Eliot Fackler, PhD

Assistant Professor of History, Governors State University

Project Co-Director

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Jacob Sladek

SHC Visiting Research Fellow

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Ryan Cunnane

Undergraduate Research Assistant

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Naiza Limon

Sociology Specialist and Research Assistant

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Alex Szczender

SHC Undergraduate Researcher

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