Message from the Department Chair:
As we start the fall semester, I would like to welcome back our students, faculty, and staff. To our students, the Department of Africana Studies faculty and staff are here to assist with your academic needs and concerns. Our commitment to your academic development is steadfast.
This fall semester, we proudly celebrate the creation of the Department of Africana Studies(formerly the Black Studies Program). The establishment of the department reflects our growth and focus on a greater emphasis of the African diaspora. Our continued priority this academic year will be on recruitment and retention initiatives. Our goal is to increase our majors and minors while ensuring that our current students successfully complete their program of study.
In addition, I would like to welcome our new majors and minors. Our recent new majors areShanell Hughes, Makayla Pettiford, Jon Middleton, Daysean Scott, and Amia Peeler. Our newest minor are Saba Bekuretsion and Jackie Branch. As chair, I am thrilled that you chose Africana Studies as a major or minor, and I look forward to working with you this academic year!
Lastly, the Department of Africana Studies congratulates our recent graduates: Zoe Coffee and Angela Harris. To our graduates, I wish you success with your future endeavors. Because social justice is a vital component of Africana Studies, I encourage you all to be agents of change within your own community as we strive to make America a more inclusive society.
For information about upcoming fall-semester events, please visit our website. I wish you a wonderful start to a great semester!
Thomas L. Bynum, Ph.D.
Chair and Associate Professor
Department of Africana Studies