Utica College in New York has announced the establishment of an Africana studies program. The program will cover a variety of topics, creating an interdisciplinary structure, and will be available as a minor starting in the spring of 2021. The program has been developed to provide many perspectives and address four pillars of education, including Africa and sub-Saharan Africa; African diaspora in the United States; North Africa and Islamic histories in Africa; and Afro-Latinx experiences.
The new Africana studies program will be directed by Clemmie L. Harris, an assistant professor of history at the college. Dr. Harris holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in American history from the University at Albany of the State University of New York System. He holds a second master’s degree and a Ph.D. in American history from the University of Pennsylvania.
“The Africana studies interdisciplinary program seeks to study history and address the marginalization of Africa and African diasporas placed in history,” Dr. Harris said, “while simultaneously seeking to provide diverse intellectual experience in American higher education.”
Utica College enrolls about 3,500 undergraduate students and 1,500 graduate students, according to the most recent data supplied to the U.S. Department of Education. African Americans make up 10 percent of the undergraduate student body.
