About AAST
Mission Statement
The African and African American Studies Program at the University of Arkansas is an interdisciplinary program rooted in the core disciplines of a traditional liberal arts education. We examine the global legacy of diasporic communities and their cultural, historical, and contemporary experiences. Our mission is to cultivate social awareness, promote equity, and support academic excellence through critical inquiry and global engagement—both inside and outside the classroom. By studying the complex interplay of history, culture, and identity, we investigate the forces that have shaped the world our students inhabit today.
A Message from the Director
Dear Students, Faculty, Staff, Alumni, Partners, and Community,
It is an honor to return as Director of the African and African American Studies (AAST) Program, having previously served in this role from 2017 to 2020. Since joining the University of Arkansas faculty in 2013, my commitment to AAST—its mission, values, and transformative purpose—has remained unwavering.
My direction is clear: to champion our students, elevate our faculty’s interdisciplinary scholarship, and remain connected with our alumni and the broader community. I am committed to leading with integrity, transparency, and open dialogue.
At its core, AAST is dedicated to expanding knowledge of the histories, cultures, and lived experiences of African people and the African diaspora. As we advance this mission, I remain committed to three essential efforts: remembering, reflecting, and rising.
To Remember
To remember is to ground ourselves in history and honor those who paved the way. Nationally, Black Studies was forged through the fierce advocacy, courage, and vision of students, scholars, and activists who demanded an education that reflected the truths, contributions, and complexities of the Black experience. We honor that national legacy today.
Locally, we hold in memory leaders and extraordinary mentors whose impact endures in our classrooms, our scholarship, and our shared values. Their legacy of care and dedication reminds us that African and African American Studies has always been both an intellectual discipline and a community movement.
To Reflect
To reflect is to pause with intention and examine how we move through the world. Our community continues to navigate complex social landscapes and academic challenges. In African and African American Studies, we continue to ask hard questions, analyze systems of power, and center truth.
Yet, reflection also demands that we look inward at how we sustain ourselves. In a culture that often equates worth with constant productivity, we must intentionally prioritize work-life balance, mental health, and holistic well-being. Our activism, scholarship, and learning are only as strong as the care we offer ourselves and one another. Joy, rest, and self-care are essential to our collective sustainability.
To Rise
To rise is to move forward together with renewed purpose, vision, and determination. Grounded in an intergenerational legacy of resilience and brilliance, we are committed to preparing the next generation of leaders, scholars, and change-makers:
- To our students: Your curiosity and courage shape what comes next.
- To our faculty and staff: Your groundbreaking research and mentorship sustain our program's intellectual life.
- To our alumni, partners, and community: Your achievements broaden our reach and bring AAST’s mission into the world.
We rise committed not just to sustaining this program—but to strengthening it, expanding its reach, and securing its future.
Together, we remember, we reflect, and we rise.
In solidarity and gratitude,
Dr. Valandra
Director, African and African American Studies Program
University of Arkansas