Editor's note: As the headquarters of the National Council on Black Studies, the University of Delaware is leading a national effort to expand the NCBS Honor Society to include university chapters. NCBS Executive Director and her UD professor, Alicia Fontnett, led the effort with an initial group of 10 Blue Hen undergraduate students. “As our company continues to grow, I am excited that UD will be a pioneer in the many initiatives of our chapters around the world, from community service projects to research opportunities,” Fontennet said.
Students were selected for African Studies, community service, and academic rigor (all must maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA). The Q&A below is part of a larger series focused on these charter members.
Aliyah Harrison knew she wanted to pursue Africana studies the moment she received her acceptance letter to the University of Delaware.
“I made sure to mention this to my advisor and took AFRA110 with the amazing Professor Drew Brown in my first semester,” she said. “After that class, I knew I needed to continue my education in this field.”
Harrison is majoring in cognitive science with minors in disability studies and Africana studies and hopes to work as a speech therapist in underserved minority communities.
Here, she details her experiences as a student and member of the NCBS Honor Society.
What led you to join UD?
As a Delawarean, I was already familiar with the campus, opportunities, and community offered here. Her sister also went to UD and enjoyed it, so I got a first-hand experience of what kind of time she spent there.
What is your favorite African studies course?
HIST220: The Civil Rights Movement with Professor Brandon Stanford, or SOCI215: Race in Society with Professor Felicia Henry. Both are discussion-based classes where you learn about what you thought you knew about the world, how this country was built, and how this history influences the present. I was forced to face it.
What was the most surprising or interesting thing you learned?
I find it very difficult to choose one thing because in Africana classes we teach so much about the past in order to understand the present.
What do you wish more people knew?
Africana research is beneficial for everyone! I have met many people who do not understand that Africana Studies is not for a specific group of people.
Why did you want to join the NCBS Honor Society?
I always wanted to be in an environment where I could further my educational experience. I was also excited about the opportunity to be surrounded by people who value education, especially Africana-related education.