African and African American Studies
Dr. Najja K. Baptist, Program Director
230 Memorial Hall
University of Arkansas
Fayetteville, AR 72701
P 479-575-2872
F 479-575-2972
E-mail: nbaptist@uark.edu
Student Profiles
Kadessia Crutchfield
Hometown: Dallas, TX
Major: African and African American Studies and Political Science
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose African and African American Studies as a second major because I was looking for interesting classes that were rigorous enough to prepare me for law school. After completing my first course I was able to learn more about my culture and make real world connections that allowed me to better understand my place in the world.
Rachel Dukes
Hometown: Grand Prairie, TX
Major: Accounting with minors in African and African American Studies and Spanish
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose to minor in African and African American Studies because I realized that there were so many things about African American culture and history, my culture and history, that I had not learned and that I probably would not learn in the traditional classroom setting. I believe that through learning more about the history and culture in all different aspects of study, I will be able to grow as a college student and as a person.
Tomario King
Hometown: North Little Rock, AR
Major: Industrial Engineering ECAP Fellow with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose African and African American Studies as my minor because I want to learn new knowledge about my African Heritage (the history, the art, the culture, and the language). I also want to receive a better understanding of who I really am as an African American, my identity. I wanted to study a field that was unrelated to Engineering, and AAST was a perfect decision where I could learn new concepts other than math. Additionally, I would like to network and be introduced to a variety of other students who are also AAST Majors/Minors such as myself. I want to gain experience in traveling while I am still young so that I will feel absolutely comfortable whenever I am taking a business trip out to another state or country in the future.
Hannah McGhee
Hometown: Memphis, TN
Major: Journalism with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose to minor in Africa and African American Studies because when I took Dr. Calvin White's class on African American History, I was amazed to learn about a different side of history that I had never heard of. I was learning about the same historical events that I have heard about since middle school, but I was learning about it from a different angle, an angle that has, sadly, been left out of most history books. I learned terrible things about my own hometown, Memphis, TN, that I had never heard of before and I have lived there my entire life. It made me realize how skewed my view of the world was. My eyes were opened and after I completed his class, I could not get enough. I knew that I had to continue learning about it. My goal is to be a journalist and I think that studying in this program will ingrain in me that there are always two sides to every story and to always be aware of that.
Malachi Nichols
Hometown: Midland, TX
Major: Mechanical Engineering with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose African and African American Studies as a minor because I felt it that it was my obligation to absorb and understand my heritage and culture as an African American. In a world of lost identities, I feel that it is inherent for young black men to know who and what they are and how to represent that to the world. African and African American Studies has also given me a break from the monotony of math and science in the engineering field, which has allowed me to broaden my horizon and way of thinking. The willingness to learn from the students in the AAST program plus the enthusiasm of the professors to not only teach but to nurture us as students has made the experience worthwhile.
Kathryn O'Guinn
Hometown: Texarkana, AR
Major: Journalism with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose the African and African American Studies Program because I have always been curious about this part of American history, the part not often taught in school, or that is often glazed over and barely brought to attention. The program provides much valuable and and enlightening information that I would not be able to find anywhere else.
LaChassity Phillips
Hometown: Wynne, AR
Major: African and African American Studies and Public Relations
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose to become a part of this program after taking an African and African American Studies course with Dr. White. He helped me realize that it was time to become more involved and learn more about the history of my culture. I knew that this program and the people in it would be very beneficial to my future.
Scotty Thurman, Jr.
Hometown: Pine Bluff, AR
Major: Information Systems with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
Before college, the only important things that were highlighted in school about African Americans were the Civil Rights Movement, athletes, and slavery. Although this was all that was taught at school, I knew that there had to be more than this in our history. My older cousin revealed to me once I grew older that there were very important African Americans that had helped this nation become what it is today. I knew then that I wanted to know more but I never knew what to look for. The African and African American Studies Program has given me the opportunity to learn things that many African Americans, as well as other races, need to know. They say without knowing the past, you can never understand the present and be able to plan for the future. This is the history I feel that every person deserves, and needs, to learn. I love it and am grateful for the opportunity.
Jeremy Waits
Hometown: Wynne, AR
Major: Civil Engineering with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose African and African American Studies as a minor because it was important for me to be aware of African American history and to understand the importance of how minorities help contribute to American society. The professors have played a significant role as well, their passion for teaching makes it all the worthwhile. I have enjoyed the African and African American Studies Program because it helps me to broaden my horizons on another subject rather than analyzing structures or determining water flow through pipes.
Christopher Warren
Hometown: Fayetteville, AR
Major: History and African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I changed my major from History and German with a Minor in Business to History and African and African American Studies because AAST challenged me to rethink power dynamics in business and government; my country’s history; and different ideologies that I had once meshed and associated with communism. I learned more about leaders such as Samora Machel, Stokely Carmichael, Julius Nyerere, Henri Christophe, Oliver Tambo, Marcus Garvey, Fanny Lou Hammer, Kwame Nkrumah, Angela Davis, and Antonio Maceo. Meanwhile, as I actively participate in both the African Student Organization and Caribbean Student Association, I have learned about cultural icons such as the Azonto Dance, Soca dance, Viviane Ndour, Jaguar, P-Square, Mokobe, Mavado, Gaza Slim, Popcaan, Ronnie Butler, and Alpha Blondy. All of these leaders and artists have given me a better understanding of perspectives different from my own as well as awesome songs to jam to as I am working on a variety of tasks. AAST has and continues to provide me and my peers with a wealth of opportunities such as studying abroad to Ghana, learning the East African language Kiswahili, sponsoring lectures on various topics, and introducing me to Sankofa. I recommend to anyone interested in discovering African Diaspora history and culture, African American History, and African History to explore the AAST department.
Mikayla Wood
Hometown: Yellville, AR
Major: Communication Disorders with a minor in African and African American Studies
Why I chose American and African American Studies:
I chose African and African American Studies after taking two semesters of Swahili with Dr. Billings. I absolutely loved learning about African culture and was excited to go deeper with my studies. Being involved in the African and African American Studies Program has made me a more well-rounded student and has given me a completely different view of American history. I feel that the African and African American Studies Program has enriched me as a student and will continue to in the professional world after graduation.