Yolanda Broyles-González, Head

University Distinguished Professor: Broyles-González; Assistant Professors: Millán and Roshanravan; Instructor: Valenzuela; Visiting Professor: Brunson; Associate Professor Emeritus: McGowan.

105 Leasure Hall
785-532-2112
Fax: 785-532-2116
E-mail: ethnicstudies@k-state.edu
www.k-state.edu/ameth

The American Ethnic Studies Department at K-State is poised to build one of the major ethnic studies departments in the nation. We are the only degree program of this kind in the state of Kansas. Ethnic studies is playing a critical social role in the millennial transition to the 21^st century. Within this era of major social transformation, we are seeing an increased demand for American ethnic studies programs. The American Ethnic Studies Department provides a gateway for students to learn about and gain a greater understanding of the wide variety of American ethnic histories and heritages.

American Ethnic Studies emerged in universities as a response to a community based demand from civil rights movements to include the perspectives of communities of color historically erased, socially dismissed, and institutionally underrepresented. A major in American Ethnic Studies teaches university students to think critically about the multifaceted realities and identities of America’s diverse ethnicities; promotes social justice ideals and practices of inclusivity; fosters community-based engaged research and praxis responsive to the needs and realities of underserved constituencies; and foregrounds the needs, concerns, and knowledge of historically underrepresented peoples of color in Kansas.

Professional Options

A major or minor in American Ethnic Studies provides a broad liberal arts education with skills in critical thinking, comparative analysis, social theory, data analysis, and oral and written communication. Beyond these necessary skills, students in this field are prepared to live and work in a diverse world. Our majors go on to pursue careers in a variety of specializations including education, politics, public policy, law, medicine, marketing, advertising, media arts, and social work.

Academics

American Ethnic Studies emerged in universities as a response to a community based demand from civil rights movements to include the perspectives of communities of color historically erased, socially dismissed, and institutionally underrepresented. A major in American Ethnic Studies teaches university students to think critically about the multifaceted realities and identities of America’s diverse ethnicities; promotes social justice ideals and practices of inclusivity; fosters community-based engaged research and praxis responsive to the needs and realities of underserved constituencies; and foregrounds the needs, concerns, and knowledge of historically underrepresented peoples of color in Kansas.

Financial assistance

The Wayne C. Rohrer Scholarship fund was established in memory of Wayne C. Rohrer, a professor of sociology from 1959 until his death in 1987. To commemorate his lifelong commitment to fairness and equality in racial and ethnic relations in the United States, the scholarship has been earmarked for students who major in American ethnic studies. Students wishing to apply for the Wayne C. Rohrer Scholarship should apply to Office of Student Financial Assistance. It is awarded annually, and applications must be received in the American ethnic studies business office by the deadline indicated on the application.

Activities

Clubs                                                               

The American Ethnic Studies Student Association (AESSA) is open to any student or community member with an interest in American ethnic studies. The group believes in empowering members toward leadership and a channel of cultural communication among other organizations and campus representatives. AESSA offers students and community members an opportunity to actively participate in promoting diversity on campus. As members, students are given a chance to collaborate with others who are diversity advocates. The mission of AESSA is to enhance the understanding of diversity on campus and throughout the community as well as create student leaders in the area of diversity.

Feminists Igniting Resistance and Empowerment (FIRE) is a feminist organization aimed at igniting communities toward progressive social change, while also creating a space for the voices of those who have been erased, marginalized, or made invisible. FIRE recognizes that there are various ways to enact and envision feminism. They value knowledge that has been gained through struggle and experience, and acknowledge that many individuals inhabit multiple identities. FIRE seeks to encourage increased consciousness, education and activism to confront the injustices affecting not only our local community and campus, but also those who live beyond our local borders.