A native of Philadelphia, PA, Dr. Kessel earned her B.A. degree at the University of Maryland, her first M.A. degree at the University of Wisconsin, her second M.A. at West Virginia University and her Ph.D. at Rice University in Houston, TX.  Dr. Kessel is married and lives in Arnold, Maryland.

Prior to coming to AACC, Dr. Kessel taught at Howard University, the Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C. and the University of Maryland, College Park. She has published numerous articles and has presented papers in the areas of social history and oral history. She serves as a member of the Ad Hoc Task Force on Community Colleges for the Organization of American Historians.

Dr. Kessel's specialty is colonial American history.  She has developed several courses including "History of Women in America, 1607-present" and "The History of the American West." She regularly offers US History I and II courses, including telecourses.

Her office is Careers 302.   Phone: 410-777-2386; Fax: 410-777-2135; e-mail: eakessel@aacc.edu