Students can click HERE for the African Studies MA Program Active Participant list of the faculty members who are eligible to be nominated to serve on students' committees.
Hannah Appel, Ph.D., Anthropology, International Institute Andrew Apter, Ph.D., History, International Institute Stephanie Bosch Santana, Ph.D., Comparative Literature Sobukwe Odinga, Ph.D., African American Studies Edith Mukudi Omwami, Ph.D., Education Jemima Pierre, Ph.D., African American Studies Paula A. Tavrow, Ph.D., Community Health Sciences Dominic R. Thomas, Ph.D., European Languages and Transcultural Studies W. Harold Torrence, Ph.D., Linguistics Hollian Wint, Ph.D., History Alden Young, Ph.D., African American Studies, International Institute
First Year Students
Thyra Cobbs
Home state/city: California Undergraduate school and major: UCLA, B.A. in African American Studies, minor in History Research interests: Thyra's research interest is Pan-African Black Psychology with an emphasis on Black Historical Traumatology as well as Black Reparations advocacy within mental healthcare and higher education systems. She has a particular interest in the oppressive effect of European colonialism on the psychological well-being of Global Africans and the development of a Pan-African clinical intervention to address colonial mentality across the African Diaspora.
Continuing Students
Ajah Whitehead
Home state/city: Long Beach, CA Undergraduate school and major: UC Santa Barbara, Global Studies (B.A.), minor in French and Translation Studies Research interests: Ajah is interested in researching political development in Francophone West Africa. More specifically--analyzing the potential applications of Pan-Africanist ideology in West African governance structures and leadership.
Isis Fuller
Home state/city: Oakland, CA Undergraduate school and major: Howard University, Biology (B.S.) Research interests: Culture and beliefs regarding reproductive health in East Africa and how education, access to resources, and policies can positively impact reproductive health and decision making.
Tosin Attah
Home state/city: Lagos, Nigeria Undergraduate school and major: BA in International Relations, King’s College London Research interests: Tosin's research interests include Pan Africanism, Post-independence development of African nations & their governance and the economic importance of Africa in the new world order.
Recent Graduates
DeDe DeDe
Home state/city: Philadelphia, PA Undergraduate degree: African Studies/ World History
Jordan Smith
Home city/state: Compton, CA African-American Studies B.A., Anthropology B.S., UC Riverside Jordan’s research interests focus on Sociocultural and Medical Anthropology, with an emphasis on the history, migration patterns, health, mass incarceration, race and racism, and heritages concerning African and African Diasporic communities.
Keyvon Pierre
Home city/state: Los Angeles, CA Screenwriting BA, Loyola Marymount University Keyvon is interested in exploring how African roots music influenced hip-hop and other Black American music. He is interested in discovering more about African Film as well as African people before colonization to be able to teach an honest, accurate Black History course.
Taylor Thomas
Home state/city: Delaware St. John’s University; B.S in Biology with a minor in Chemistry Taylor is interested in establishing health initiatives in Africa, specifically centered around Women's and Adolescent health. Also, the exploitation of Africa and the implications this has on modern medicine and the healthcare system.
GRADUATE ADVISING
Yumi Kinoshita, Academic Advisor
Prospective students/applicants can email us at:
✉ Email: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Current UCLA students (UID required) can contact the advising office as follows:
✉ Email: idpgrads@international.ucla.edu (Please include UID in their emails)
Make a Zoom advising appointment
To schedule an in-person appointment please email idpgrads@international.ucla.edu
Bunche Hall, Room 10256 (10th floor)
Mailing Address:
UCLA International Institute Academic Programs Office of Academic Advising 10256 Bunche Hall Los Angeles, CA 90095-1487