By Anna Gay Leavitt

S enior Hanna Sowers is double majoring in history and geography. While she developed a passion for history early in life, attending Georgia College & State University helped Sowers fully realize a career path to include both disciplines.

Sowers initially came to GCSU as solely a history major. Once she began taking classes, Sowers quickly learned having a geographical understanding is critical to understanding the world from a historical standpoint, and that adding a geography major would enhance her skillset.

More students than ever are making the same choice. From 2024 to 2025, the GCSU registrar’s office saw a 48 percent increase in Bobcat undergrads declaring multiple majors and dual degrees. Students who double or triple major pursue more than one major with the same degree, like a Bachelor of Arts. Dual degree seekers declare two majors that each result in a separate degree, such as a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Arts.

“I have always loved history,” Sowers said. “My grandmother used to buy me those ‘Who Was…?’ books about famous historical figures. I loved them!”

Sowers – who is from Rincon, Georgia – credits her high school AP U.S. History teacher for helping her find a passion for history.

“I finally realized that history was going to take me places,” she said. “I wanted to pursue history, but I didn’t know what that looked like until coming to GSCU.“

Doubling Down on Liberal Arts

“History and geography complement each other so well. You really cannot have one without the other,” she explained. “I decided to double major, and I did not look back.”

While being a double major has its challenges, Sowers found support in the campus community.

“One of the most rewarding aspects of being a double major has hands down been my experience with my classmates and professors,” Sowers said. “I have really had to rely on my classmates to help me along the way. My professors have always been eager to assist and challenge me to produce work to the best of my ability.”

“Hanna epitomizes the serendipity of undertaking a double major in history and geography,” said Dr. Aran MacKinnon, professor of history and chair of the Department of History and Geography. “She combines a wonderful intellectual curiosity with a keen sense of the importance of time and place that are at the heart of the liberal arts.”

During her time at GCSU, Sowers has had most of the history and geography professors for at least one class. Each of them, she explained, have been supportive of her journey.

“One of my favorite classes has been ‘Modern France’ with Dr. Auerbach,” she said. “The entire class was engaged, and we all discussed and learned from each other. Not to mention that we watched films, which is such a cool way to teach history.”

A Winning Combination for a Career

Sowers plans to be a high school teacher in history or geography.

“To have experience in both fields is invaluable and will only aid me in my classroom. I already have ideas about how to ensure that there are fair amounts of both history and geography in any class that I teach!”

Students who double major in college are likely to reap long-term benefits for their career. A 2024 study by The National Bureau of Economic Research concluded double majors “experience substantial protection” of up to 56 percent lower risk of job loss and earnings losses, particularly during an economic downturn. The study credits double majors with a strong ability to collaborate and a more diverse skillset than many of their peers.

Sowers will already have hands-on, real-world experience in her field before graduating in December. This summer, she is working on the Guilford Courthouse NMP Citizen Archivist project alongside the National Park Service in the National Archives and Records Administration. Sowers is helping transcribe documents that are over 200 years old.

Once she’s back in Milledgeville, Sowers will tackle a busy semester.

“I am looking forward to completing my senior thesis for history and my teaching practicum for geography! This fall I will be shadowing in an AP U.S. History course at Georgia Military College.”

Sowers will begin her path to becoming a Double Bobcat and certified teacher when she begins the MAT program at Georgia College in summer 2026.

Header Image: History and geography double major Hanna Sowers analyzes data on sea level change. Photos by Anna Gay Leavitt.