Students

Social Media

Find us on Facebook, or follow us on Instagram.

Scholarships

Visit the Scholarships page for detailed information on other scholarships.

Khwezilomso Endowed Fund in Africana Studies

In the Xhosa language of South Africa, khwezilomso is the term for “morning star,” the first star of the morning that signals the beginning of a new day filled with bright promises. This term represents the envisioned impact of this endowed fund for students in the Africana Studies program at BYU. The Khwezilomso Endowed Fund provides financial support in the form of scholarships, internships, travel grants (e.g., for research projects, conference, or other experiential learning opportunities), to students who are involved in Africana Studies, with a preference for students with a greater financial need and students who are from Africa (regardless of students’ nationality or national origin).

Information Sheet and Application (PDF).

Civil Rights Seminar

Africana Studies faculty and students regularly participate in the College of Family, Home, and Social Sciences African-American Civil Rights Seminar. Offered in winter semester, the seminar explores “frameworks, concepts, models, and examples from the Civil Rights Movement that individual students can utilize as they grapple with the courageous, difficult, and complex history of race relations in the United States.” It also seeks to build a “beloved community” on campus. Applications to participate in the seminar are due early fall semester. To learn more visit the Civil Rights Seminars website.

Study Abroad and Internships

Study abroad programs to Africa and other places related to Africana studies are regularly offered. For example, students have hiked Kilimanjaro and spent time with the College of African Wildlife Management at Mweka, Tanzania, traveled to Rwanda and Uganda to learn about conflict resolution, or visited Ghana for public health programs. You can also set up your own internship to advance your individual educational and career goals by working with professors in the program and Kennedy Center staff. Talk to the program coordinator and search for programs on the Find Your International Student Program page.

Career Resources

A minor in Africana Studies truly stands out on resumes. Former program participants report that their minor in Africana Studies is one of the first things they are asked about in interviews for jobs and graduate schools. It prepares students for international engagement and demonstrates that students have gained cultural sensitivity, thus can work with a broad spectrum of people. It is an excellent minor for pursuing graduate degrees or professions in fields such as public health and medicine, law, the humanities, development, global business, economics, and more. Students are advised to seek out internships, language, and study abroad programs and to work closely with BYU faculty in the program as they prepare for future careers.