African Studies Center Receives 2022-2026 NRC/FLAS Funding
The African Studies Center is very pleased to share the news that we have just been awarded another four years of funding from the Department of Education’s Title VI Program! This award gives us status as a National Resource Center for the study of Africa, enhancing the study and teaching of Africa at all levels of education in the state of North Carolina and beyond. The Title VI also supports the study of African languages at UNC, funding undergraduate, graduate, and professional school students, many of whom will use their language skills to pursue study, research, and careers in Africa.
This is the 5th consecutive Title VI Award for the Center; our successful grant this year was rooted in the ASC’s impressive track record of fostering innovative research, teaching, and outreach. Our thanks to so many of you for contributing to the Center’s success by contributing to Africanist scholarship in your fields, participating in our events, and teaching African content. This award reflects your excellence, and we hope it will motivate your continued participation in the ASC’s activities.
We look forward to continuing many of our successful programs, and to launching new initiatives that serve our many constituencies. These new and continuing activities include:
• Support for faculty, staff, and students who research, study, and teach about Africa, through travel, research, and course development grants
• Conferences, lectures, and performances, including regional conferences that bring together Africanists from across the Southeastern United States
• Teaching and study of African languages, including Wolof, Swahili, Yoruba, and Arabic, with more language offerings in the works
• Linkages with African colleagues and institutions through faculty and student exchanges, joint programming, and co-teaching
• Resources for K-12, Community College, and MSI educators across the state who bring African topics into their classrooms, including funds for course development and curricular materials
• Outreach to the public through events like our annual Africa Fest as well as film festivals, and art exhibitions
• Enhancement of the University Libraries’ African Studies Collections
• And much more—stay tuned for announcements about exciting upcoming programs and initiatives, including a Visiting Artist this fall, a new linkage with an African university, and new opportunities for UNC students to gain experience in Africa through internships as well as study abroad programs
Please join us to celebrate the grant and to learn more about ASC’s programs at our fall picnic on Saturday, September 10th at Wilson Park (more details to follow). Along with those of you who already know the Center well, we especially welcome Africanist and Africa-oriented faculty, students, and staff who have joined Carolina since 2020. We’ve had few opportunities to meet in person since then, and we want to learn more about your interests, experiences, and goals so we can foster your Africa-related pursuits.
Best wishes for the new academic year,
Vicki Rovine
