Meet Our Faculty
Dedicated Educators Inspiring Future Leaders
The History faculty at COCC are celebrated for their extensive expertise, personalized advising, and engaging teaching styles. Our dedicated educators bring a wealth of knowledge and practical insights to their classrooms, helping students connect historical concepts to the broader world and their own lived experiences. Our History faculty are committed to fostering student success and preparing future leaders in their fields of study.
Advising Faculty Profiles
Murray Godfrey
Associate Professor
Email: mgodfrey@cocc.edu
Being a "history detective" has been in Murray's job description ever since he served
as an intelligence analyst for the military. He joined the Texas Army National Guard
in 2002, eager to serve his country in the wake of Sept. 11. His six years of service
included a one-year deployment to Kosovo, where he monitored potential terrorist activity
in support of Operation Joint Guardian. This constant absorption of data from assets,
drones and reports had a sharpening effect on his investigator and presenter skills.
"It was actually good preparation for being an instructor," he explains, "taking a
ton of complex information and making it understandable." The Texas native felt a
calling for the military, but when he returned to school stateside, several inspiring
professors caused him to contemplate a different path — and he went on to earn a bachelor's
and then a master's degree in history from Texas State University. He joined COCC
in 2012.
Murray brings an inquisitive approach to the classroom, encouraging his students to
do the same. "I love helping students discover the relevancy of history," he shares.
""History's not a collection of dates. Remembering 'what happened when' is less important
than understanding the heart of the story. It's the 'why,' rather than just the 'what'
and 'when.'"
Murray teaches Early American, 19th and 20th century U.S. history.
Jessica Hammerman
Associate Professor
Email: jhammerman@cocc.edu
As a professor, historian, writer, and editor, Jessica is passionate about making
history relevant to her students. "I teach history in an experiential way, exposing
students to digitized archives, original images and artwork, as well as graphic novels
and feature films," she explains. "Whenever possible, I invite guest authors and scholars
to chat with students about their understanding of a book or an event."
Jessica teaches the full spectrum of world and European history courses and also leads
specialized classes in the history of the Islamic world, the history of sexuality,
and the history of 20th-century Europe. She received her Ph.D. in history from the
City University of New York Graduate Center with an emphasis in modern Europe and
Jewish history.
Jessica enjoys working in partnership across disciplines and fields as demonstrated by a recent interpretive dance project with Bend Contemporary Dance Company, "Encounters with Modernity," in which she collaborated with a choreographer and a writing instructor. She also regularly hosts teach-ins on such topics as the evolving war and crisis in Israel and Palestine.