91传媒 College of Arts and Sciences announces new director for African American Studies
Contact: Sarah Nicholas
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥擜 Mississippi State associate professor of English and African American Studies is the new leader of the land-grant university鈥檚 African American Studies Program.
Donald M. Shaffer officially assumed his new role Aug. 1 after serving as interim director for the past year.
An 91传媒 faculty member since 2008, he is chair of the African American Studies curriculum committee and a board member of the Mississippi Humanities Council. His research examines the social and historical construction of race in African American and Southern literature, linking authors whose literary works engage racial and identity politics in American culture. He also serves as mentor for Presidential Scholars in 91传媒鈥檚 Judy and Bobby Shackouls Honors College.
Shaffer said he is 鈥渃ommitted to fostering a greater understanding of African American culture and lived experience鈥攂oth past and present鈥攖hrough teaching and scholarship.鈥澛
鈥淚 believe what distinguishes our program is the unique opportunity it affords students to pursue a minor in African American Studies at a land-grant institution located in a state that is the veritable birth place of African American culture,鈥 Shaffer said.
Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences Rick Travis said he is enthusiastic about the 鈥渋nvigorating focus鈥 Shaffer brings to the program.
鈥淒r. Shaffer is supporting and challenging students enrolled in the program, especially as it relates to pursuing their research and creative activities,鈥 Travis said. 鈥淯nder his leadership, we expect the program to provide a strong academic experience to complement its role in providing a wealth of public programs.鈥
Shaffer said his goal is to create an interdisciplinary program that can facilitate both the research and professional goals of students, and he plans to grow the program in both number of students and courses offered.
鈥淚 want to create opportunities for students engaged in research relevant to African American Studies to collaborate with faculty and share their research in a professional academic setting,鈥 Shaffer said. 鈥淚 hope to accomplish this through the work of the Society of African American Studies, our undergraduate student organization, and through our efforts to support faculty and undergraduate research projects.鈥
Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the AAS program offers interdisciplinary courses encompassing history, literature, politics and other aspects of black life and culture, leading to a minor in the study. Graduate students can earn an online diversity certificate. Students gain knowledge, sensitivities and skills to function in today鈥檚 global society.
A Jackson native, Shaffer received his Ph.D. in English from the University of Chicago in 2005, his master鈥檚 degree in English from the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1997 and his bachelor鈥檚 in English from Jackson State University in 1995.
In 2012, Shaffer won the Ochillo Award for best published article for his work in The Griot: The Journal of African American Studies.
91传媒鈥檚 College of Arts and Sciences includes more than 5,300 students, 300 full-time faculty members, nine doctoral programs and 25 academic majors offered in 14 departments. Complete details about the College of Arts and Sciences or the African American Studies program may be found at or .
91传媒 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .