What can a degree in Africana Studies do for you?
Africana Studies at Binghamton University prepares you for a career in business, law, government, Internet technologies, teaching, public policy, medicine, psychology, university administration, law enforcement, social work and counseling. As well, it prepares students for graduate work in a variety of disciplines, such as literature, art, music, drama, anthropology, history, philosophy, political science, sociology, journalism, and labor relations. Private-sector employers are becoming increasingly interested in recruiting personnel conversant with multicultural issues. A degree in Africana Studies enhances your perspective and equips you with the knowledge to address these important concerns.

Discuss your career goals with our faculty as well as the staff of the Career Development Center (CDC).

Students comment on the major . . .
“It has prepared me very well and given me a considerable amount of knowledge that will be key to my future development as a young scholar and citizen of the world.”

“The major has helped me with issues of race and gender.”

“Whether music, art, philosophy, politics, pre-law, education . . . I have opportunities to study in a variety of fields that interest me.”

“I really enjoyed my experience as an undergraduate student at Binghamton University.”

Our measure of success

Award-winning students: Africana Studies majors have won numerous awards, including the SUNY Chancellor’s Award, the Bill and Melinda Gates Millennium Scholarship, the Nell Jackson Memorial Award, and Harpur College Undergraduate Research Awards, which help to defray the costs of doing research. Some have had perfect grade-point averages and have been on the Dean’s List.

National honors organizations: In recognition of their excellent academic work, Africana Studies students are members of national honor societies, including Phi Beta Kappa, Pi Eta Sigma, and Golden Key Honor Society.
 

:: Staff ::

Chair of Africana Studies:
Nkiru Nzegwu
panap@binghamton.edu

Undergraduate Director:
Michael West
mwest@binghamton.edu

Department Secretary:
Barbara Kumiega
bkumiega@binghamton.edu

Webmaster:
Nkiru Nzegwu
panap@binghamton.edu

Africana's address
Binghamton University
Department of Africana Studies
POB 6000
Binghamton, NY 13902-6000

Telephone & fax
Phone: (607) 777-2635
Fax: (607) 777-6547

Inquires about undergraduate studies should be directed to Professor Michael West. Inquires about the department should be directed to Professor Nkiru Nzegwu. All other inquires should be directed to the Department Secretary, Barbara Kumiega.

Graduate school acceptances: Many Africana Studies graduates have gone on to continue their studies at
prestigious graduate schools, including Harvard University, Yale University, New York University, Columbia University, Indiana University at Bloomington, University of Michigan, University of Pennsylvania, Boston University, and Syracuse University, as well as Binghamton University.

Students comment on future opportunities . . .
“I will be attending Columbia University to pursue a master’s degree.”

“The Africana Studies major has prepared me for life, regardless of my career . . . It provided me with critical thinking skills and the ability to deconstruct the racist, classist, sexist world we live in.”

Students comment on the academic program . . .
“A knowledge of African cultures has certainly helped to ease my culture shock and made cross-cultural experiences that much better.”

“I feel more informed about African and African American culture.”

“Africana Studies classes have deepened my understanding of gospel, jazz, blues, and Afrobeat. And the BU gospel choir rocks!”

“I have come to understand African American history better and to appreciate what African Americans went through in the New World.”