Breanna Small, a student of African and African American studies, journalism and political science, and Leilani Mack, a student of African American studies, history and political science, have been accepted into the Rising Scholars Conference hosted by the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland. 

The conference, set to take place from Oct. 31 to Nov. 1, is designed to promote diversity in academia by introducing undergraduate students from underrepresented groups to scholarly research. Attendees will present recent or ongoing research projects, including honors theses or collaborative research with faculty. They will also receive feedback from University of Maryland faculty, interact with graduate students and learn more about pursuing a Ph.D. in political science. 

All expenses for students and their mentors will be covered by the program, including a modest honorarium for mentors. The event will feature informal dinners on Thursday and Friday evenings, with a day of conference presentations on Friday. Mentors are invited to join local faculty for an informal dinner on Thursday. 

Small and Mack have worked as undergraduate research assistants with Najja K. Baptist, assistant professor of political science and director of the African and African American Studies Program, participating in research focusing on the Black American experience under the National Science Foundation Transformational American Politics grant.

"These two AAST students are exemplars of the excellence within our program. They are deserving of this acceptance and more," Baptist said.

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About the African and African American Studies Program: The African and African American Studies Program at the University of Arkansas is an interdisciplinary program that expands on the core disciplines of a traditional liberal arts education. We explore the legacy of the African diaspora and African-descended people's global experiences. We strive to advance social consciousness, promote equity, and support the highest level of academic excellence through critical and global thinking in the classroom and beyond.