From the Director

Greetings Colleagues, Students and Friends:

As we begin another academic year, I am excited about the activities, proposed changes, and vision for the Program. A steering committee will be reviewing the undergraduate and graduate curriculum to explore opportunities for change and growth. Over the years, I have focused on building a diverse curriculum in collaboration with departments across the University of Kentucky campus. While most of our courses are based in the College of Arts and Sciences, we now have cross-listed courses with the College of Education, the College of Fine Arts, and the College of Social Work. The current expansion of the Program is gaining increasing attention from graduate students majoring in various fields with a desire to specialize in an area of African American Studies. It is my desire to formalize this increasing interest by pursuing the possibility of creating a graduate certificate in African American Studies. This initiative, once it is completed, will definitely be a significant advancement in the growth of the Program.

Despite the budget constraints facing the University, we still anticipate a great year for AASRP. We will launch a new program titled, “Dialogues on Race,” which will enhance efforts to create an intellectual community of persons researching and writing about race and ethnicity. The Black Women’s Conference will mark its tenth year in the spring of 2004. It will coincide with events leading to the Fiftieth Anniversary of the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision of May 17, 1954. The Conference will highlight the role African American women played in desegregating educational institutions and the leadership they have provided in preparing children to live in a diverse society. This is sure to be a very special Conference and will likely draw attention from all sectors of the community.

Throughout the year, I invite everyone to continue to support AASRP. Visit our newly constructed web page and note our efforts to provide a more engaging site. We have added a number of new links to our home page to provide more up to date information about each of our activities. I want to especially encourage faculty and graduate students to formalize their association with the Program by becoming an affiliated member. We need your input and participation to become an even stronger interdisciplinary program. I believe, together, we can continue to build a Program that serves the Commonwealth of Kentucky.