Knowledge is an essential ingredient to success. It is the key to providing answers to the fundamental questions of self and society. Therefore, the mission of the African American Studies Program is:

• to disseminate knowledge that will empower people to see beyond their horizons into the vast expanse of human possibilities.
• to examine the peoples of African descent — their lives, history, and culture — as well as to study their multiple intersections with the world.
• to rigorously explore African American experiences in order to illustrate their centrality to American life and to foster stronger community among diverse racial and ethnic groups.

You must submit the paperwork to declare a minor or combined major in your own college's Dean's Office. This means that if, for example, you DO NOT have a major in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences, you WOULD NOT GO TO Old Main to declare your minor or combined major in African American Studies. You must sign up in the college of your major. Thank you for your interest!

The sankofa bird symbolizes the quest for knowledge, with the implilcation that the quest is based on critical examination and intelligent and patient investigation. The bird reminds us to look back and remember our past.