Black Studies

The African American Literary Studies (AALS) unit within the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville College of Arts and Sciences’ Department of English Language and Literature has expanded its group of professors with expertise in Black literature and literary history. 

AALS currently offers approximately 15 African American-related courses and provides more classes on Black subject matter than almost any other English department in the country, according to Howard Rambsy II, PhD,...

Angel Jones, PhD, critical race scholar and visiting assistant professor in the SIUE School of Education, Health and Human Behavior’s (SEHHB) Department of Teaching and Learning, discussed the fallacies of “racial reckoning” occurring today as it relates to Blacks exacting justice and/or receiving payment for past racial wrongs and crimes. 

Jones was featured on “The Special Report” with Areva Martin on YouTube and Facebook Live. 

In response to white ba...

A little-known, but enormously important American historical fact, traditionally celebrated by pockets of people across the country has now received the attention it deserves. President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law on Thursday, June 17, making June 19 or “Juneteenth,” which marks the ending of slavery in the U.S., a federal holiday. 

This milestone was lauded during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s Center for Student Di...

The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Office of Admissions hosted almost 100 admitted minority students during a virtual visit day on Monday, March 29.

Students from as far away as California interacted with current students and representatives from SOAR (Student Opportunities for Academic Results), the Office of Academic Advising, CORE T.E.A.M. (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor), ACCESS (Office for Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support), Cente...

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor Randy Pembrook has named Jessica Harris, PhD, as the University’s first vice chancellor for equity, diversity and inclusion (VCEDI) after a national search conducted by Dr. Cornell Thomas, SIU School of Dental Medicine (SDM) chief diversity officer, director of the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, and assistant dean for admissions and student services. The position is pending SIU Board of Trustees approval at its spring session...

An engaging, thought-provoking and provocative assortment of topics and speakers were discussed and presented during Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s third annual Diversity Day, Wednesday-Thursday, Oct. 14-15. Under the theme, “The Fierce Urgency of Now – SIUE Shaping a Changing World,” the virtual event boasted more than 22 presentations with approximately 975 people registering. 

  “Diversity Day’s theme highlights the work of SIUE...