African and African American Studies Program Unveils Annual Newsletter

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The African and African American studies program in the J. William Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences announces the publication of its yearly newsletter, which showcases the activities and achievements of faculty and students in the interdisciplinary program.

New Faculty

The newsletter highlights the program's hiring of three new joint faculty members in August 2013 who, as part of their official appointments, teach courses, conduct research and provide service to the university in both an academic department and the African and African American studies program . These three scholars join 12 affiliated faculty members, one joint appointment hired in 2012 and two graduate assistants.

Caree Banton, an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the department of history, specializes in race, slavery and abolition in the Caribbean. She received a doctorate in history from Vanderbilt University and a master of arts in development studies from the University of Ghana.

Brandon Jackson is an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the department of sociology and criminal justice. His research focuses on social mobility among young adults and explores how gender, race and class affect that mobility. He received a bachelor of arts in sociology from Southern Methodist University and a doctorate from Florida State University.

Valandra, an assistant professor with a joint appointment in the School of Social Work, examines how gender-based violence intersects with systems of privilege, oppression and poverty. She earned a doctorate and master of social work from the University of Minnesota and master of business administration from the University of Nebraska.

In August 2012, the program welcomed Benjamin Fagan. He holds a joint appointment with the department of English and is a specialist in African American print culture. He received a bachelor of arts from the University of Iowa and a doctorate in English language and literature from the University of Virginia.

"These four joint appointments are a game-changer for our program," said Calvin White, Jr, associate professor of history and program director. "Each brings new energy, new ideas and a commitment to a strong research and teaching agenda. These new hires, along with our dedicated affiliated faculty, enable us to offer 21 courses this spring, a record in our history. This includes 16 on-campus, one January intersession, two online and two self-paced online courses. The online courses are available through our growing partnership with the Global Campus."

Student Success

The newsletter also honors the accomplishments of several students.

Kevin Morris II, a junior majoring in African and African American studies and philosophy, attended the African American Literature and Cultures institute at the University of Texas at San Antonio. This highly competitive program provides rigorous writing and research training to its students in preparation for doctoral programs. Morris is planning on pursuing a doctorate in African American studies, focusing on the intersection of race, gender and sexuality.

Cameron Woods, a political science and journalism major pursuing a minor in African and African American studies, spent the fall of 2012, as an intern with the Congressional Award Foundation in Washington, D.C. He learned the fundamentals of political maneuvering, programming and recruitment, as well as how to work with congressional staffers. Cameron plans to pursue a career in education and hopes to be a multicultural or diversity affairs dean.

The program also celebrated Emily Noah and Brent Perkins' acceptance into graduate school to continue their study of race in American history. Noah currently attends the University of Arkansas at Little Rock and is pursuing a master of arts in public history. Perkins is currently working on his doctorate in history at the University of Mississippi.

Faculty and Student Activities

The newsletter highlights various activities of African and African American studies students and faculty over the past academic year.

The cover story features the program's sixth annual spring play, Waiting to Be Invited, which debuted in April to a packed Union Theatre. It followed the story of four African American women in 1964 Atlanta who test their newly acquired civil rights in an all-white establishment. Directed by assistant professor of drama Clinnesha D. Sibley, the production featured a cast and crew of the program's students.

In December 2012, the program said goodbye to long-time affiliated faculty member, Gordon D. Morgan, university professor of sociology and the first African American faculty member hired at the university in 1969. He was honored by the university for his distinguished career at a special retirement luncheon. Morgan, the only African American to achieve the rank of university professor and one of three African Americans in Fulbright College to attain the rank of professor, enjoyed accolades from the campus and broader Fayetteville communities.

The program continued its popular "Coffee with the Professors" series, which allows students and faculty to connect and converse outside the classroom. At each meeting, participants discuss a variety of topics ranging from academic advising to the program's sponsored study abroad courses in Ghana.

The African and African American studies program is an interdisciplinary program that expands on the core disciplines of a traditional liberal arts education. Through multiple fields of study, students explore the legacy of the African diaspora and African-descended people's global experiences and the importance of race with a focus on Africa, the United States and the Caribbean.

The full newsletter is available the African and African American studies program website.