In the News Archives - Center for African Studies

In the News

Student Spotlight – December 13, 2025

Saturday December 13, 2025

Phumelele Ndlela is a Fulbright Foreign Language Teaching Assistant (FLTA) for IsiZulu in the Program in African Languages (PAL) at the Center for African Studies at the University of Florida.

CAS Annual Fall Party 2025

Friday December 12, 2025

As we approach the holiday season, we’re taking a moment to look back at our Fall Party 2025. It turned out to be one of our most memorable yet. This year’s venue, the Florida Gym, brought an unexpected but welcome change of scenery, quickly becoming a vibrant backdrop once the room filled with the energy of our CAS community.

University of Florida’s African Studies Faculty and Students Make a Splash at ASA Conference

Wednesday December 10, 2025

The strength and quality of UF African Studies was on full display at the 68th annual meeting of the African Studies Association, held in Atlanta from November 20th-22nd, 2025.

Celebrating IEW 2025 with CAS

Thursday November 27, 2025

During this year’s International Education Week, the Center for African Studies (CAS) partnered with the UF International Center (UFIC) and other campus organizations to celebrate the richness of global learning and cultural exchange.

New Endowment Advances Graduate Research in African Studies

Thursday November 20, 2025

If you’ve ever participated in one of the center’s events, chances are you’ve met Janet Beilstein and Stephen Burgess. The longtime Africanists and dedicated supporters of our center have forged a deep connection over the years through their involvement at barazas, events and collaboration with faculty and students. In fact, Burgess cites their interest in engaging with the center as one of the driving forces behind their relocation to Gainesville.

The Global Faculty Feature: Dr. John Muchira

Wednesday October 22, 2025

Dr. Muchira recently published two open Access textbooks, Hujambo! A Standards-Based Approach to Introductory Kiswahili, Volume 1 (June 2025) and Hujambo! Volume 2 (July 2025). The textbooks are part of an evidence-based, open-access curriculum that seeks to fill a gap in the literature on Open Educational Resources (OER) for teaching Less Commonly Taught Languages (LCTLs)

ASX From the Savannah to the Swamp: We Thrive Together

Wednesday September 24, 2025

The University of Florida’s Center for African Studies hosted its annual African Student eXperience (ASX) 25 Home Away from Home Welcome Reception on September 13th in Pugh Hall Ocora, drawing over 90 African graduate students from different colleges across campus. This year’s theme, “From the Savannah to the Swamp: We Thrive Together,” emphasized the importance of maintaining cultural roots while building academic success at UF.

Student Spotlight- Week of September 24th

Wednesday September 24, 2025

Selome Medemaku is a Nigerian writer and currently a master’s student in French and Francophone Studies in the Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures. His academic and creative journey are shaped by a passion for storytelling.

Greg Kiker named chair of UF’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering Department

Wednesday September 17, 2025

Greg Kiker, a UF alum and faculty member for over 20 years, has carried out research on southern Africa’s savanna ecosystems as well as a range of other environmental and engineering challenges. A long-time CAS Affiliate and member of the CAS Natural Resource Management Working Group, Kiker was recently named chair of the University of Florida’s Agricultural and Biological Engineering (ABE) Department after serving as interim chair.

Happy 20th Anniversary Dr. Renata Serra

Wednesday September 10, 2025

Congratulations to Dr. Renata Serra, instructional professor at the Center for African Studies, as she celebrates 20 years with the University of Florida! Dr. Serra is an economist with more than 25 years of experience in research, teaching, and consultancy on African development, with a focus on the Sahel region. At the Global Food Systems Institute, she leads the Sub-Saharan Africa Working Group and advances high-level collaborations and research projects.

CAS Student Spotlight: Week of April 30th

Monday April 28, 2025

The Center for African Studies congratulates Nduka Mbadugha on his latest achievements as he graduates from the UF’s College of Communications and Journalism with a Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations and a minor in History and fall internship with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).

UF’s Carter Conference brings together researchers from 14 universities across U.S.

Thursday April 17, 2025

The University of Florida’s Center for African Studies (CAS) hosted its 40th Gwendolen M. Carter Conference, bringing together the perspectives of Africanist scholars on issues of pressing importance to peoples and societies of Africa. The annual conference is considered the flagship event for the center.

UF Hosts SERSAS 2025: New Directions in African Studies

Tuesday April 15, 2025

The 2025 Southeast Regional Seminar in African Studies (SERSAS) brought together scholars and students for an interdisciplinary exploration of Africa’s evolving research landscape, highlighting collaboration, innovation, and new voices across the field.

CAS Student Spotlight: Week of April 9th

Tuesday April 8, 2025

Rebekkah Hudson is a third-year UF undergraduate double majoring in History and Linguistics with minors in African Studies and English, whose research—rooted in Gikuyu perspectives—reexamines the role of African agency in colonial-era forestry scouting in Kenya, with aspirations to pursue a Ph.D. in African History.

Echoes of Africa: Culture, Language, and Community