Phi Alpha Theta – The Team
Comprised primarily, but not exclusively, of history majors, Phi Alpha Theta is led by its student officers. A student from the organization is also selected to serve as a representative of the student body on the History Undergraduate Council each semester.
Executive Board, 2026-2027
President: Abby O’Callaghan (She/Her)
Abby O’Callaghan is a senior majoring in History with a certificate in political science. Her research interests are North American Indigenous history, educational history, and environmental political history. Outside of classes and work, she likes to play ultimate frisbee, ride her mountain bike, hike, and play cards!
Vice President: Kira Markuson (She/Her)
Kira Markuson is a senior majoring in educational policy studies and history with certificates in public policy and criminal justice. In her free time, she loves to bake for herself and her friends, and attend or teach yoga and Pilates classes.
Finance Chair/Secretary/Historian: Payton Eilers (She/Her)
Payton Eilers is a senior majoring in communication sciences & disorders and history with certificates in disability rights and services, health and the humanities, and gender & women’s studies. She loves writing/playing music and watching scary movies!
Events Chair: Ali Maldonado (She/Her)
Ali Maldonado is a senior majoring in History and English Literature. Her research focuses on environmental history and land management; In her spare time, she likes hiking, watching movies with friends, and film photography
Marketing Chair: Haleigh Smith (She/Her/They/Them)
Haleigh Smith is a senior majoring in History, Gender and Women Studies, and English, with a certificate in Folklore. Broadly, they are interested in studying extremist gendered rhetoric which positions the female body, as well as reproductive and sexual labor as a commodity. In her free time, she loves reading, baking, and finding the best trivia in Madison.
If you have any questions, please reach out to phialphatheta@mailplus.wisc.edu