Africana Studies

Quentin Young Selected as an EWU McNair Scholar and Awarded Summer Research Internship

06/23/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

Congratulations to new McNair Scholar Quentin Young! Quentin was selected by the McNair Scholars’ selection committee on the basis of her passion for research, commitment to attaining a PhD, and overall potential for success in graduate school.

The federally-funded TRIO Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program at EWU selects motivated and talented juniors and seniors who are first-generation and low-income college students, and/or from groups underrepresented at the doctoral level to introduce them to academic research and provide them with effective strategies for getting into and graduating from PhD programs.

Quentin N. Young is an undergraduate at Eastern Washington University majoring in Applied Developmental Psychology and Minoring in Africana studies and Coaching. He is interested in becoming a sports psychologist and opening up his own private practices and sport facilities. Dr. Okera Nsombi will be Quentin’s mentor for his 2022 Summer Research Internship. Quentin’s goal is to break down barriers as a Black man in a predominately white profession and help young Black children in the local communities. Quentin is a Dean’s list student with a GPA of 3.6. After he completes his undergrad, he will go into graduate school where he will complete his PhD in Psychology. Quentin’s goal is to have an impact on many lives by changing the landscape for his community and the world.

We look forward to accompanying Quentin as his research unfolds!

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson Selected for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award

06/02/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson! Christina has been selected for the Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award.

The Jeffers Chertok Dean’s Honor Award recognizes exceptional graduates who have demonstrated a commitment to their education through outstanding academic achievement with a minimum of a 3.75 GPA in their previous 4 quarters and through leadership and service to the community.

Christina is a first-generation university student double majoring in English studies and Africana studies, and minoring in religious studies. She currently holds a 3.98 GPA. Christina completed an EWU McNair Summer Research Internship in 2021 under the mentorship of Associate Professor Okera Nsombi titled The Characterization of African Religions. She recently presented this research at the National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates 2022 Virtual Conference, held online. Christina serves as the ASEWU Diversity Representative. Based on her work in this role, her outstanding academic record, and her regular contributions to organizations such as BlackPast.org, Christina was invited to participate in building a curriculum for next year’s required staff trainings in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion under Senate Bill 5227.

Christina will begin her PhD studies in Africology and African American Studies at Temple University next fall. Read about all of Christina’s accomplishments as a McNair Scholar here.

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson Receives the Frances B. Huston Medallion Award

05/19/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

Congratulations to EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson! Christina has been selected to receive a 2022 Frances B. Huston Medallion Award.

Recipients of the Frances B. Huston medallion award must have established themselves as exceptionally capable individuals in both academic and extracurricular activities. The faculty and the administration of Eastern Washington University acknowledge their great pride in the accomplishments of these students during their college experience and expect even greater accomplishments in the years that lie ahead. The Frances B. Huston Medallion is presented to just 20 graduating students per year.

Christina will begin her PhD studies in Africology and African American Studies at Temple University next fall. Read about all of Christina’s accomplishments as a McNair Scholar here.

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson Accepted to Temple University PhD Program

05/10/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

If you’ve been following along, you may have noticed that in our last two posts about EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson, we mentioned that she will begin her PhD studies in Africology and African American Studies at Temple University next fall. We’d like to take this opportunity to officially offer her our congratulations! The Department of Africology and African American Studies at Temple University attracts and produces world-class scholars in this discipline, and has more African American students than any other university in the Northeast. The program’s focus is transgenerational, transcontinental and interdisciplinary.

Christina is a first-generation student double majoring in English studies and Africana studies, and minoring in religious studies. Christina completed an EWU McNair Summer Research Internship in 2021 under the mentorship of Associate Professor Okera Nsombi titled The Characterization of African Religions. Christina serves as the ASEWU Diversity Representative and recently presented her work at the National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates 2022 Conference, and is a regular contributor to BlackPast.org.

The EWU McNair staff are thrilled for Christina and we know she will develop high quality, impactful research in her PhD program.

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson Presents at National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates 2022 Conference

04/28/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

In February, EWU McNair scholar Christina Hudson presented at the National Association of African American Studies & Affiliates 2022 Virtual Conference, held online. She presented her 2021 Summer Research Internship project The Characterization of African Religion. For this project, Christina was mentored by Dr. Okera Nsombi. Christina is double majoring in English studies and Africana studies, and minoring in religious studies. She also serves as the ASEWU Diversity Representative.

When asked about the most valuable aspects of attending and presenting at this conference, Christina said she had the opportunity to make some awesome connections.

It was so great to meet and connect with so many amazing scholars and professors from different universities.

Christina would like to let other McNair scholars know that presenting at conferences is a great opportunity to talk about your research and to make important connections. While the idea of presenting at a conference may seem intimidating, “it can be a really fun experience filled with amazing scholars who are just as excited to hear about your research as you are to talk about it.”

Christina will begin her PhD studies in Africology and African American studies at Temple University next fall.

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson: ASEWU Diversity Representative

04/07/2022 by Liina Koivula Leave a Comment

EWU McNair Scholar Christina Hudson is serving as the Associated Students of EWU Diversity Outreach Representative for the 2021-2022 academic year. In this position, Christina helps to create a culture of inclusivity and community at EWU. Based on her work in this role, her outstanding academic record, and her regular contributions to organizations such as BlackPast.org, Christina was asked to participate in building a curriculum for next year’s required staff trainings in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Senate Bill 5227 aims to eliminate structural racism and promote diversity, equity, and inclusion by conducting training sessions and evaluations in Washington’s 40 public colleges and universities, beginning in the 2022-2023 school year.

In addition to this important work, Christina was invited to be a featured speaker at the EWU Diversity and Inclusion Week Event Speed Relating. At this event, fueled by free Thomas Hammer coffee, students, faculty, and staff can connect and have open conversations with a variety of individuals representing diverse identities, professions, and/or interests. Christina introduces herself in this statement from the Speed Relating Speakers Directory:

I am an AfroMexicana first-generation student and McNair scholar, double majoring in English studies and Africana studies, and minoring in religious studies. My academic journey has been very nontraditional. I grew up between Barrio Logan in San Diego, CA, and west side Long Beach, CA. I had my first job at fourteen years old and, because I had to live on my own and work support myself from fifteen years old, I dropped out of high school at the beginning of ninth grade. I began college many years later with neither a high school diploma nor a GED. After graduating with two bachelor’s degrees this spring, I will begin my PhD studies in Africology and African American studies at Temple University.

Christina completed her McNair Summer Research Internship project, The Characterization of African Religions, mentored by Dr. Okera Nsombi.

To hear more about Christina’s experiences in higher education, Africana studies, and the McNair Scholars Program, connect with her over free coffee at the Speed Relating event on Wednesday, April 20, 11am to 1pm, in the JFK Library Lobby.