History Talks conference celebrates 10th anniversary
Faculty at the San Jacinto College North Campus hosted the 10th annual History Talks conference, an interdisciplinary academic event that brings together scholars, educators, and students to explore the role of history’s connections to culture, society and contemporary issues. The conference features short presentations, creating space for scholarly exchange and public engagement across disciplines.
Origin story
Dr. John Gillespie, North Campus history professor, founded History Talks in 2016. It was originally called the History Matters Conference.
The first event focused on ‘Critiques of Standardized Testing.’ From a small but important donation from our provost, we have grown into an annual forum for diverse presentations and ideas.
Each year the group assembles a cross-disciplinary organizing committee that helps plan and run History Talks. The committee selects a central theme that connects historical inquiry with broader intellectual and cultural questions.
“The professors help select themes, recruit speakers, and coordinate logistics for the event,” Gillespie said. “Each year we are supported by the provost’s office and Darla Rocha, chair of behavioral and social sciences at the North Campus.”
Conference agenda
The event is free and open to the community and will be offered in a hybrid format, allowing participants to attend either in person or via Zoom livestream.
This year’s theme is “Space City in the Shadow of Challenger.” The chair is Dr. Alejandra Jaramillo-Fontenot, history professor at the North Campus.
The program features a mix of panel discussions and keynote presentations led by scholars from regional and national institutions. The agenda includes a moderated panel including:
- Sarah K. Janes, (moderator) associate vice chancellor of Continuing and Professional Development, San Jacinto College
- Matthew Peek, associate director, UHCL Archives and Special Collections
- Robert Nañes, archivist, University of Houston-Clear Lake Archives and Special Collections
- Traci Patterson, archivist/ special collections librarian, Rice University Woodson Research Center
Followed by featured talks from:
- Olga Bannova, director of the Space Architecture Graduate Program, University of Houston
- Moriba Jah, Space Systems and Astrodynamics, The University of Texas at Austin
“It’s designed to explore Houston’s connections to space history, culture, technology, and memory, especially in the context of the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster and its enduring legacy in education, innovation, and civic identity,” Gillespie said.
This year’s title reflects Houston’s longstanding identity as NASA’s ground zero for human space exploration, its achievements, tragedies, and how those experiences continue to influence scientific research, community engagement, and academic inquiry.
Keynote speaker
Before joining academia, Jah served as a spacecraft navigator at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, contributing to missions including Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, Mars Exploration Rover, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. He is a fellow of several prestigious scientific organizations and was recently recognized during Black History Month 2026 as an exceptional alumnus by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University for his lasting impact on the aerospace industry.
Event details
Date: Thursday, February 26, 2026
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Location: Fine Arts Theater (N1.013) at San Jacinto College North Campus
The conference includes keynote addresses, themed talks by invited scholars, and opportunities for Q&A.
Examples from past years
2024: “Hidden Histories: Things Your Teacher Didn’t Tell You.”
2023: “Social Justice Movements: Community, Protest, and Inclusion.”
2022: “Rethinking Borders: Identities, Cultures, and Ideas.”
How does History Talks benefit students?
“We aim to expand learning beyond the classroom,” Gillespie said. “Students hear from regional and national scholars across disciplines, which broadens perspectives on how history intersects with culture, society, and current events.”
The goal is to introduce students to history as an academic discipline that students can pursue as a college major and possibly a career.
“We hope to encourage critical thinking and interdisciplinary thinking,” he said. “The interdisciplinary nature encourages students to think historically but also make connections to fields like psychology, sociology, and media studies. We want to show that knowledge is not confined to a particular CRN.”
About San Jacinto College
Surrounded by monuments of history, evolving industries, maritime enterprises of today,
and the space age of tomorrow, San Jacinto College has served the people of East Harris
County, Texas, since 1961. The College is ranked second in the nation among more than
1,100 community colleges, as designated by the Aspen Institute and was named an Achieving
the Dream Leader College of Distinction in 2020. As a Hispanic-Serving Institution
that spans five campuses, plus an online college, San Jacinto College serves approximately
45,000 credit and non-credit students annually. It offers more than 200 degrees and
certificates across eight major areas of study that put students on a path to transfer
to four-year institutions or enter the workforce. The College is fiscally sound, holding
bond ratings of AA+ by Standard & Poor’s and Aa2 by Moody’s. San Jacinto College is
accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
