Contact: Sasha Steinberg

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Leaders of African American Studies programs at 11 Southeastern Conference institutions of higher learning convened earlier this month at Mississippi State for a special workshop.

The event marked the historic first meeting of directors and chairs of African American Studies departments and programs in the SEC, said MSU history professor Stephen Middleton.

“Our goal is to explore best practices and operations for our programs,” the university’s African American Studies program director continued. “We want to consider ways we could collaborate in terms of seeking grants and other awards, as well as how we could share prominent speakers who we may bring to our campuses.”

Middleton said the group of accomplished scholars and leaders has agreed to meet on an annual basis. Their campuses will take turns serving as host for the event.

“Our African American Studies program here at Mississippi’s premier land-grant university has led the movement and provided leadership in making this happen,” Middleton said.

“We are an institution committed to service and inclusion, and I’m pleased that our African American Studies programs in the SEC are working together to better serve students at our respective institutions and in our communities.”

In 2017, MSU’s African American Studies program will celebrate its 10th anniversary. This accomplishment, Middleton said, represents “10 years of service and pride.”

“We believe that being proactive is better than being reactive, and our African American Studies program at Mississippi State is providing programs that move us forward,” Middleton said.

Part of the College of Arts and Sciences, MSU’s African American Studies program offers courses leading to a minor in African American Studies. For more information, visit www.aas.msstate.edu.

Middleton also may be contacted at 662-325-1895 or SMiddleton@aas.msstate.edu.

MSU is Mississippi’s leading university, available online at www.msstate.edu.