Student Profiles

Caroline Biedenstein

My name is Caroline Biedenstein. I am graduating this spring (2019) with a double-major in Political Science and African and African American Studies with a minor in History. In the fall, I will be attending Saint Louis University Law School with hopes to become a civil rights lawyer.

J.P. Gairhan

My name is J.P. Gairhan and I'm graduating with a degree in African and African American Studies, History, and Political Science. 

I have accepted a term with the United States Peace Corps and will serve as a Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer in Tanzania starting in February of 2020. Until then I hope to pursue an internship in Washington D.C. this fall.

Bethany Henry

After graduation from the PhD program in History with a graduate certificate in African and African American Studies in May 2019, I plan to be an Instructor at the UofA Department of History in the Fall 2019. My husband and I are also welcoming our second daughter in September. 

Cassie Johnson

After graduation, I plan to secure full-time employment in Criminal Justice/Investigations while also continuing to mentor and advocate for young, African American high school students! 

Briana Kawkaba

After graduating, I’m going to take a gap year to breathe before heading to law school in the Fall!

Daniel Marsh

After graduation, I will be relocating to Tulsa, Oklahoma to be a Lead Literacy teacher for College Bound Academy Charter School. While teaching, I plan on obtaining a Master's degree in Education from Arizona State University and afterward, a Ph. D. in either Political Science or African American Studies from a historically Black college/university. Following this, I intend to pursue my original career path in law and attend law school at Yale or Harvard. 

Elizabeth Penick

After graduation I will be teaching English in France for a year and then I will be returning to the U of A to get my masters in French. While getting my masters I'd also like to take two more AAST courses so I can make the minor a combined major with my history degree. 

Raven Ray

After commencement I will be headed to New York to attend SpringboardNYC. It’s  a once in a lifetime opportunity to attend masterclasses from the best of the best in my craft, getting the tools I need to be a working artist in New York City. 

And I’ve officially got my first Professional gig at The Winnipesaukee Playhouse in Meredith, NH. I will be playing Matilda Binks in Guess Who’s Coming To Dinner!  

Warrington Sebree

After graduation I plan on obtaining a Masters degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas. Beyond that, I am hoping this program will eventually lead me to law school. 

Carolina Tovar

I will be attending Thunderbird School of International Management in Phoenix, AZ for my masters in August. 

Mykala Wallace

My name is MyKala Wallace and I will be graduating with a Bachelors in Social Work and African and African American Studies. After graduation I will be pursuing my Masters of Social Work degree at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville.

Sidney Webb

My name is Sidney Webb and I am graduating with a BA in Political Science and African and African American Studies. I will be attending law school at Texas A&M School of Law in the Fall. 

Cory Perry

The AAST program has offered multiple great study abroad opportunities for me, as well as other students, like their biannual trip, Sankofa: Past and Future, which entails an exploration of the Ghanaian country.

More recently, I’ve been granted support by AAST, alongside the Uark School of Art, to participate in an exchange program with the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to study art and culture in Kumasi, Ghana. I will be studying Sculpture-studio practice, including crafting techniques and investigating traditional materials.

In addition, I’ll be exploring the local and neighboring cultures, which will augment my growing independent research of pop culture of Africa and the African Diaspora. I'm very excited for the experiences that await.

Chloe Jones

My name is Chloe Jones. I am graduating spring 2020 with a double major in History and African and African American studies with a minor in Political Science. I will be attending the University of Arkansas' Higher Education master's program in the fall. I hope to work at a college or university following, striving to make the college experience fulfilling for every student who chooses to pursue higher education.

Madeline Tallo

I will be graduating with a degree in African and African American Studies, History and Political Science. Following graduation, I will be pursuing my Juris Doctorate at New England Law Boston in the fall. My hopes are to pursue a career in immigration or international human rights law.

Derrick Johnson

I would first like to thank God and my savior Jesus Christ for getting me through these 5 years of school even when I doubted in myself. The lessons I’ve learned while being here will travel with me the rest of my life. I want to especially thank the African & African American Studies department for welcoming me with open arms and helping me stay on a clear path for success in my professional career. The connections and experiences I’ve gained through this program will stick with me for the rest of my life, and for that I'm forever grateful..