W.E.B. Du Bois | Global Leadership Initiative | Digital Newsletter IMPACT-Spring2022

Global Leadership Initiative |

2022 Spring Inaugural Edition

Impact

W.E.B. Du Bois Honors

Cover Photo: Isaiah Payne (Honors Student, Junior): Photo: Ram Alagan

Impact Newsletter |

University College

Global Leadership Initiative |

2022 Spring Inaugural Edition

Impact

A Digital Newsletter | W.E.B Du Bois Honors Program, University College, ASU

Photo: Ram Alagan, 2015

(Photo: Ram Alagan)

INSIDE THIS ISSUE… Director’s Column……………………... Page 3 Dean’s Message…………………………Page 4 Meet the Honors SGA……………….….………

Page 5 Meet Team IMPACT……………..……..Page 6 W.E.B. Legacy…………………………. Page 7 UC-Connections…………………………..

Page 8-11 Honors Student Achievements…………………..

Page 12 Global Spotlights…………………

Page 13-14 Seniors & Conference Highlights…….. Page 15 Advisors Highlights ……………………….

Page 16-17 Honors Spotlights……………………….Page 18-23 W.E.B. Du Bois Advisory Board…….. Page 24 W.E.B. Du Bois Administration……… Page 25

Impact Welcome to the inaugural edition of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program IMPACT, a digital newsletter of the University College, Alabama State University. The IMPACT features updates and announcements on honors program progress, students' achievements, leadership development and opportunities. The contents of the publication are primarily targeted to the ASU campus community, and more specifically, to current and future W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program students. We encourage honor students, faculty, and supporters to contribute to future issues of the IMPACT. The bulletin will be circulated annually via honors website and email. Archive copies will also be available at the honors website.

CONTACT: Director, W.E.B. Du Bois | IMPACT | 915 S. Jackson Street Montgomery | AL 36104 | Tel: 334.604. 8021 | ralagan@alasu.edu

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INTERIM DIRECTOR’S COLUMN

Dear W.E.B Du Bois Honors Students, ASU Colleagues, and Friends from the River Region We live in a crucial time during a global health crisis, environmental deterioration, migration, ethnic conflicts, political instability, poor water and food supply, hatred and mass shooting,, and geopolitical transformations. To overcome these challenges, we need outstanding, visionary leadership and resolutions. The W.E.B Du Bois honors program recognizes that 2022 is a crucial time to bridge our students to broader global communities to draw attention to critical issues.

As the Interim Director of the W.E.B Du Bois honors program at Alabama State University, I am proud to announce that we have undertaken several key initiatives to support students' success and move our agenda forward. One of the program's critical endeavors is the Global Leadership Initiative (GLI) which supports developing students' leadership in global matters and training them to take leadership positions. The digital newsletter IMPACT will be a crucial publication under the GLI that seeks to highlight students' leadership and critical thinking skills.

Ram Alagan, Ph.D. Professor of Geography and Interim Director of W.E. B Du Bois Honors Program, ASU

The IMPACT newsletter will serve as a forum for enhanced faculty-student dialogue, honors students' academic and professional development, and general intellectual discourse on global issues. The inaugural edition includes a listing of students' activities such as Global Leadership discussion on COVID-19 and its ramification, conference presentations, internships, international news, honors faculty achievements, University College annual events, and information on seniors' capstone research and graduation. The University Connection Connect is our second GLI. It is one of the primary student-driven initiatives and provides students with a round-table forum to discuss critical global issues. Finally, I am very proud to announce that we have celebrated Honors Week to glorify students' achievement. The event included a number of social events, including the UC-Connect discussion, a legacy forum with the keynote speech, a global pageant show, a cookout with food, and an award ceremony.

I extend my thanks to the IMPACT newsletter leadership student group, UC-Connect discussion group, and the honors program's SGA for their contribution of their time and effort to support activities in the program. I also thank the collaborative honors students and program directors (AUM and Spelman Colleges) who contributed their time and effort to the UC-Connect discussion. I also extend my deepest gratitude to Rep. Terri Sewell and her coordinating staff, President Quinton Ross Jr., Provost Carl Pettis, Dean Evelyn Hodge, Dr. Seela Aladuwaka, and Ms. Denise Roy for their support and leadership in honors program initiatives. Also, my gratitude goes to administrative members from the ASU Foundation, ASU facility management (including catering support), Honors Advisory Board Members, Drs. Tyson Platt and Seela Aladuwaka for editorial support, and students and families for their support of our program and activities.

Thank you,

Ram Alagan, Ph.D.

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DEAN’S MESSAGE

Congratulations, scholars of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program.

You are a special group that has earned the title of Alabama State University’s scholars. I salute you for your fine efforts and outstanding achievements. You have worked diligently to accomplish your academic goals that will lead to fine professional careers in the future. Your many activities this year have been awesome and demonstrated your many talents in a variety of areas. Moreover, you and the staff of W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program should be proud of the inaugural edition of the Global Leadership Initiative IMPACT Honors Newsletter.

Evelyn Hodge, Ph.D. Professor and Dean of University College

Additionally, it is also with gratitude that I thank the University College Faculty and Staff and all of the colleges you represent: College of C-STEM, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, College of Education, College of Business Administration, College of Health Sciences and the College of Visual and Performing Arts. The collective work and efforts of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program Advisory Board is also applauded for assisting and participating in various activities of the program. I must also especially thank President Quinton T. Ross, Jr. and the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Carl Pettis, for their wonderful participation and support during this academic year.

Finally, let me say thanks in the inaugural edition of the Global Leadership Initiative IMPACT Honors Newsletter to all of the former W.E.B. Du Bois Honor Directors and Administrators for their wisdom and service to this fine program for ASU distinguished scholars: Dr. Kathy Jackson, University College Professor and Chair of the Humanities Department, Dr. Alma Freeman, former Dean of University College and Professor, Dr. Jacqueline Trimble, Chairperson of Languages and Literature and Professor of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences and University College, Dr. Shirley Jordan, Professor, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, and University College, Ms. Leola Luster, Assistant Professor, University College and Director of the University Writing Center, Dr. Phillip Blackmon, Assistant Professor, University College and the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, Dr. Cynthia Harris, Assistant Professor of English, University College and currently Dr. Ram Alagan, Professor, University College and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Additionally, special thanks is given to: Dr. Seela Aladuwaka, Professor of Geography, Dr. Tyson Platt, Professor of Psychology, Ms. Evelyn Proctor and Ms. Denise Roy, W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program Administrative Staffers.

Go Hornets! It is a Great Time to be a Hornet and Your Time is Now!

Evelyn Hodge, Ph.D. Professor and Dean of University College

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MEET THE HONORS SGA

Kaunda Wooten Jr. is from Midfield, Alabama. He is the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors SGA President and is involved in ASU’s quiz bowl team for Honda Campus All-Star Challenge and the Forensic Science Club. He plans to work as an intern after graduating this semester and start work on his master’s degree in the fall. He wants to use his schooling to work in law enforcement. Kaunda is currently working with Dr. Sapna Jain on his Capstone Project. Their research involves combining the relevance and research of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) with the determination of Postmortem Intervals (PMIs).

Kaunda Wooten Honors SGA, President

Juane Franklin, Honors SGA Vice President

Timia Frierson Honors SGA, Secretary

Juene Knoll Franklin II is a senior finance major from Houston, Texas. He was recently chosen by Governor Ivey’s Office of Minority Affairs to participate in Alabama’s HBCU Co-Op Program. He also accepted an offer with Wells Fargo, where he will be working as a credit analyst in the Middle Market Banking program. Juene plans to not only advance his career but also be a resource for ASU to recruit early talent.

Timia Rae Frierson is a sophomore forensic biology major from Clinton, MS. After completing high school at Clinton High School, Ms. Frierson selected Alabama State University as her college. Ms. Frierson is actively involved with several different organizations, activities, and opportunities on campus. Currently, she serves as the W.E.B Du Bois Honors Program SGA Secretary and the NAACP Education Committee CO-Chair.

Her goals for the university are to promote student excellence and engagement despite adversity. In her free time, Ms. Frierson finds pleasure in social outings, cooking, reading and writing poetry, and watching YouTube vlogs. Also, with efforts to uplift the community, she volunteers with a variety of non-profits organizations and centers. When asked her favorite volunteer service, she says, “the ones with children are always my favorite, because I love kids.” She loves helping others, so the position of secretary is the best match. .

Arnold Bhebhe is a second-year student at Alabama State University’s College of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (C-STEM), where he is studying biomedical engineering and computer science. He is originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Arnold is enthusiastic about technology and leveraging it to create innovative solutions. He is also passionate about empowering other students and enlightening them on the importance of technology in our everyday lives. Arnold is actively involved outside of the classroom as a Senator for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), IT Coordinator for the National Society of Leadership and Success (NSLS), and Analytics Manager for The Hornet Tribune.

He is also the founder and president of the Google Developer Student Club at Alabama State University.

Arnold Bhebhe Honors SGA, Treasurer

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MEET TEAM IMPACT

Dr. Ram Alagan is the Interim Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors program and Professor of Geography at the Department of Advancement Studies, University College, ASU. His research focuses are Geographic Information Systems, Civil Rights GIS, Black Belt and Health Disparity, Cancer Mapping, Environmental Impact Assessment. Dr. Alagan has published 15 book chapters and six journal articles, including co-edited two international Journal of Research in Political Sociology (Vol-25 & 29) in 2018 & 2022. Dr. Alagan currently, serves as Chair of the Budget Committee at ASU Senate. Also, he represents as a faculty mentor in the Intersection of Social Capital, Mentorship, and Networking on Persistence, Engagement, and Science Identity at ASU.

Dr. Ram Alagan Interim Director

Savannah Mendenhall is a sophomore accounting major from Blue Mound, Illinois. She always desired to attend college in the south and could not be happier to be attending Alabama State University. Savannah is involved in RealTalk Campus Ministry, National Society for Leadership and Success, Student Government Association, Google Developer Club, HCASC Trivia Club, and the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program. She enjoys the outdoors, music, and anything crafty or artistic.

Savannah Mendenhall Team IMPACT Samuel Hailemichael is a junior computer science major at Alabama State University. He was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where he spent most of his life. After completing High School in Addis Ababa, he decided to move to the United States to pursue his dreams of becoming a software engineer. After studying at a community college in Maryland for two years, he was awarded the Presidential Scholarship at Alabama State University. He became part of the W.E.B Du Bois Honors Program after transferring to ASU. He is passionate about technology, programming, business, investing, and creating programs. Samuel is also involved in a data science research project at the Mathematics and Computer Science Department of ASU in partnership with the US Navy. During the summer of 2022, he has secured an internship with Oracle where he will work as a software engineer.

Samuel Hailemichael Team IMPACT

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W.E.B. LEGACY FORUM

Dr. Cynthia Harris

University College Connection (UC-Connect)

By: Evelyn Hodge, Ram Alagan, & Denise Roy

By: Denise Roy, (W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program Administrative Assistant)

In Loving Memory of Our Dear Friend

It is with sincere gratitude that we dedicate the inaugural edition of the Global Leadership Initiative Newsletter IMPACT to the late Dr. Cynthia Harris, Director of the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program, who was the upcoming President of the National Association of African American Honors Programs (NAAAHP). The ASU W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program scholars represent the ideals and goals of the National Association of African-American Honors Program. Historically, NAAAHP began in institutions of higher learning at historically black colleges and universities. Since May 1990, because of the vision of a group of Honors directors from approximately 20 Historically and Predominantly Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs and PBCUs) this fine organization came to fruition. These individuals met at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia to collaborate and organize a national organization of honors programs that would address the specific needs, activities and educational experiences for African-American students. From these efforts, in 1991 the NAAAHP was established with goals to promote your continued excellence. Dr. Cynthia Harris, former Director of W.E.B. Du Bois, helped bring this wonderful organization to the campus of ASU this past, Fall, 2021. We greatly appreciate her dedication and efforts to make this a reality.

The UC-Connect is one of creativities under the Global Leadership Initiative in the W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program with a multi-level platform for educational and leadership development. The UCConnect (UCC) employs multi-dimensional endeavors to Educate, Empower and Inspire our students to prepare for higher education programs and employment opportunities. UCC is a unique approach using various scholarly procedures to get our message to global communities. The UCC is also catalyzing and motiving optimistic changes to find creative approaches to share our Global message and engage our audience. UCC likewise use integrate state-of-the-art technologies and multimedia solutions and platforms such as Zoom, YouTube, and Instagram to build a global community. This year Covid-19’s Ramifications Honors Week Roundtable Discussion Collaborative with ASU, Spelman College and AUM via zoom is a perfect example of how to use UC Connect multilevel platform to fuel the student’s passions and create a critical dialog with the global communities.

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COVID-19 & SOCIAL STATUS Terri Brown, ASU (Sophomore) Terri Brown spoke about the effects COVID-19 had on certain social groups.

While there has always been a large gap between socio-economic classes, it has only widened by the exponential financial gain of the wealthy during the pandemic. The COVID-19 pandemic has created an environment for the rich to get richer and the financially challenged to continue to struggle. Within the first seven months of the pandemic, billionaires across the world increased their net worth by 637 billion dollars. While the rich were prospering, about half of the population earning lower incomes had trouble paying bills for necessities, and about a third of these people had to use their savings to pay their bills. The gap between classes also increased in part due to the transition to online education. The shift to digital education added costs for many families, causing a decline in the quality of education.

The economic effects of the pandemic disproportionately impacted people of color, specifically Black and non-white Hispanic people. It was found that 53% of Hispanic people and 43% of black people lost a job or experienced a pay cut. It was also found that black people were more likely to experience severe complications such as hospitalizations compared to white people. A data analysis of the hospital in metro Atlanta in 2020 shows that 79% of people hospitalized were black compared to 13% for white people.

COVID-19 & MEDIA Camille Zanders, ASU (Sophomore) Camille Zanders discussed the effects that the COVID-19 pandemic had on our community economically, medically, and socially. Her research focused on the role the media played on the way the pandemic was perceived by the public, how that tied into the other social tensions of that period, and how the pandemic affected media delivery. The uncertainty and misinformation spread through the media led to a polarized society that was, and still is, full of conspiracy and heated debate.

Because over 80% of the world’s population has access to smartphones and the Internet, we are able to access massive amounts of information, whether factual or not. The lack of information about the coronavirus sent the public to social media, where irrationality and panic were multiplied by millions. This caused a spike in reported mental health issues. During the height of the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) found that 31% of adults in the United States reported feelings of anxiety or depression, 26% reported worsened stress, and 13% reported having started or increased substance abuse.

The media’s direct threat to public health sparked debate about censorship to limit the spread of “fake news” and whether that would negate society’s First Amendment Right to freedom of speech and press. This issue was brought to the federal government, which supported censorship because unregulated discussion about the virus contributed to public disarray. As a result, the Metaverse, along with various other media outlets, have adopted the use of fact-checkers and algorithms that detect and block deliberate misinformation regarding the pandemic and the government’s approach to combat the disease.

Regarding the pandemic, studies show that mass media broadcasters such as CNN and Fox News more often consulted political officials (11%) than health experts (8%). Studies also found that major news broadcasters often reported pandemic news using negative connotations, such as tracking the death rate rather than recovery strategies or resource centers. The Washington Post shared research showing that 90% of COVID-19 broadcasts in the United States used negative vocabulary, compared to 54% of international broadcasts. The negative skew of the media during the pandemic demonstrates the influence the media has on our lives. Americans must recognize the effects of COVID-19 on the media, and vice versa, to prevent another epidemic of hysteria and panic if society should face another national crisis.

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COVID-19 AND CAMPUS

COVID-19 AND MENTAL HEALTH

Savannah Mendenhall, ASU (Sophomore)

Vanella Tadjuidje, ASU (Sophomore)

Savannah Mendenhall addressed the current status of the pandemic in Alabama as well as the effect it has had on our campus. She also outlined why students still need to be cautious about COVID19. She emphasized that it is important to understand that the current state of Alabama State’s campus, the protocols, rules, and regulations, are there to protect the students.

After two years of this pandemic, it can be hard to take it as seriously as students did in the beginning. However, Alabama is currently reporting daily average cases similar to those seen in March of 2020. In late February of 2022, there were 700,000 active cases across Alabama, with a weekly average of fifty-seven deaths.

Source: Alabama State University

Source: jjkeller.com, 2022

Protecting yourself is essential because of the high risk of catching COVID-19. Thus, it is imperative because students are not allowed to stay on campus if they catch COVID; they must return home or stay in the dorm's isolated room for Covid-19 patients. While much of the danger of COVID-19 is based on personal risk, it is imperative to protect those around you. Your actions have consequences beyond that of your own.

They affect everyone you interact with within a day’s time. Following campus COVID protocol should be our number one priority as students.

Vanella Tadjuidje spoke on the matter of the effect COVID-19 had on certain populations living within the United States. The focus was on adults (aged 25+) and young adults (aged 18-24).

The data indicate that a significant amount of the adult population reported having mental health issues in the midst of the pandemic especially in Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic communities. According to the CDC, 40% of U.S. adults (~103 million) report that they are struggling with mental health or substance abuse issues. This is based on a survey conducted in late June of 2020, which found that 31% of participants reported having anxiety or depression symptoms, 26% reported trauma/stressor-related disorder symptoms like PTSD, and 11 % reported having seriously considered suicide.

Among Black and Hispanic communities, a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in December of 2020 found that the pandemic’s mental health impact on the communities of color coincided with those communities experiencing disproportionately high rates of COVID cases and death. Of the 13% of Black people living in the U.S., 48% indicated that mental health issues were induced by the pandemic.

Of the 27% of Hispanic people in the United States, 46.3% reported experiencing mental health issues. Only 40.9% of White people reported experiencing mental health issues.

More young adults reported having mental health issues during the pandemic than older adults Source: World Economic Forum, 2022

Wear your mask, wash your hands, sanitize items you use every day, and be considerate of others. Stay home if you are sick. Remember, just because your personal risk is low, you may be around someone whose risk is extremely high. Students need to protect others and protect the nest.

Additionally, more young adults reported having mental health issues during the pandemic than older adults. According to the KFF, 56% of the young adults (18-24) in the study reported symptoms of anxiety and/or depressive disorder compared to the 40% of older adults as of December 2020.

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COVID-19 AND VACCINE MISCONCEPTIONS AND MISINFORMATION

COVID-19 AND VACCINE HESITATIONS Nyla Weatherington, ASU (Sophomore)

Charlia Hardy, ASU (Sophomore) Charlia Hardy spoke on the topic of COVID-19 misinformation and vaccine misconceptions. March 11th, 2020, is the day that COVID19 changed the world.

Mandatory lockdown, school/business closings, and mask mandates all resulted from the pandemic. The world was in a frenzy and everyone from infants to elders felt the effects.

By December of 2020, the FDA began granting companies permission to develop vaccines. Three vaccines, Pfizer-Biotech, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson, were created. These vaccines came with many public fears fueled by generational trauma and a lack of information.

One community that has suffered tremendously in the past as related to medical care in the United States is the African American community.

Two American cases that have left the community hesitant about trusting the vaccines are the cases of Henrietta Lacks and the Tuskegee experiments involving syphilis. In these two cases, African American individuals were treated as test subjects with no remorse. They were not seen as humans and the practices used on them were extremely inhumane. The history of these experiments has caused some hesitancy about the trustworthiness of the vaccines. Approximately 42% of the United States population “does not trust vaccines.” Among this percentage, 13% of non-Hispanic blacks refuse to take it. Additionally, 51% of the Hispanic community also refuse to take the vaccine.

With many people being hesitant, more discussions should be had to decrease the confusion and chaos. The public must take it upon themselves to seek accurate information and stop the spread of false narratives. It is healthier to develop your own conclusions by conducting research rather than relying on the voice of the public.

Nyla Weatherington discussed vaccine hesitancy and how to overcome the virus. The Tuskegee Experiment or “The Tuskegee Study of Untreated Syphilis in the Negro Male” was a study that began in 1932 in Macon County, Alabama. The purpose of the study was to record the history of syphilis in African Americans.

However, researchers told the 600 male sharecroppers that they were to be treated for “bad blood”. Of the 600 men, 399 who had syphilis were part of the experimental group and 201 were control subjects. In order to get the men to agree to participate in the study, they were given incentives such as medical exams, rides to and from clinics, and arrangements to be made after their deaths such as burial stipends paid to their survivors. Although the treatment for syphilis was not known when the study began, it was later withheld from the men, which resulted in 28 participants perishing from syphilis, at least 40 spouses being diagnosed with the disease, and the disease being passed to 19 children at birth.

This tragedy caused by the US government has caused lasting trust issues in many African Americans. Not only are African Americans hesitant to take the vaccine, but so are other races such as Latinos, Asians, and even some Caucasians. One of the main reasons for hesitancy among these communities is misconceptions of COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccine.

Some of the most popular misconceptions are that the COVID-19 vaccine is unsafe due to its quick development, the COVID-19 vaccine alters the DNA, receiving the COVID-19 vaccine allows you to stop wearing a mask, and the COVID-19 vaccine will prevent you from getting COVID. Due to the severity of the virus, health officials from around the world worked to ensure that the vaccine was created as rapidly and as accurately as possible. In fact, most of the ingredients used to formulate the vaccine are the same ingredients seen in the food approved by the FDA (CDC). The vaccine cannot alter any DNA because it does not enter the nucleus where all DNA is found. Instead, it encodes an immune response much like the body naturally does to fight against the virus. Though the COVID-19 vaccine is not guaranteed to stop you from getting COVID, it helps to reduce the risk of severe symptoms, hospitalizations, and fatality. Masks help to keep you, as well as others around you, safe from COVID-19.

The nation can overcome the pandemic by simply living with it. Instead of continuing to live like COVID-19 is a crisis, we must transition into a life where we know COVID-19 is inevitable. With the proper care and information about COVID-19, the world can start the transition into a post-pandemic world.

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CLASS: Leading the March to Scholarly Excellence

Administration

Dispatch | ISSUE 3 | Spring 2017

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HONORS STUDENT ACHIEVEMENTS

Two W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Students Selected to Participate in Governor’s Program.

The W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program proudly acknowledges two honors students recently chosen to participate in Alabama’s HBCU CoOp Program. Juene Franklin (senior) and Camille Zanders (sophomore) were two of just seven students selected for this program.

The co-op is sponsored by Governor Ivey’s Office of Minority Affairs and connects eligible students with participating employers.

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UC-CONNECT COLLABORATIONS PROFESSIONAL CONNECTIONS Sophia Bax-Wooten, Spelman College Covid-19 has disrupted the traditional post-graduation trajectory for corporate opportunity. My reflections consider the ramifications of this shift and explore how students might thrive in this new environment.

COVID-19 AND PERSONAL FINANCES Deja'ne Chatman, Spelman College Covid-19 has presented us with many challenges. My work explores Covid 19 and financial challenges. I argue that concentrating on personal financial challenges reveals many helpful insights. Thus, I am especially interested in the way that personal finances and Covid-19 can expose health challenges and family life in unique ways.

Juene Franklin (Senior) COVID-19 & ANXIETY Ashly Robinson, AUM

Camille Zanders (Sophomore)

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GLOBAL SPOTLIGHTS

Ramadan

Ukraine

By: COBIE HOLMAN (Freshman)

By: SAVANNAH MENDENHALL (Sophomore)

We are currently in the month of Ramadan, which started Saturday, April 2nd.

The invasion of Ukraine has captivated the world over the last month. On February 24, 2022, Russian troops invaded Ukraine from points in the northern, northeastern, and southern borders. As the days roll on, more and more Ukrainian refugees flee the country. Currently, more than 6.5 million refugees have left Ukraine for neighboring countries such as Poland, Hungary, Moldova, and Slovakia, while an estimated 6.5 million people have been displaced within the country. Russia not only threatens Ukraine but the world, and many countries around the world will continue to send aid and support to Ukraine. The current conflict between Russia, Ukraine and all involved nations has created an unprecedented challenge in global peace.

Ramadan is a Muslim holiday and a celebration for Muslims around the world. It originally started in the city of Medina, Saudi Arabia in 624 BCE. Muslims believe that the angel Gabriel appeared to Prophet Muhammad and revealed to him the Quran (Islamic holy book). That revelation, Laylat al-Qadar (Night of Power), is believed to have occurred during the month of Ramadan, the 9th month in the Arabic calendar before Islam began.

Ramadan is a month of fasting, worship, prayer, study of the Quran, and charity. Muslims aim to grow spiritually and become closer to Allah (God in the Arabic language) and their loved ones. The fast helps believers purify their hearts, renew their faith, seek forgiveness, and increase selfdiscipline. They do this by abstaining from eating, drinking, and other worldly pleasures between sunrise and sunset.

(Before War: (Lystopad. Wikimedia Commons, 11 June 2017)

Shutterstock/Drazan Zigic

(After: Lystopad. Wikimedia Commons, 11 June 2017) (Source: Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Mohd Samsul Mohd Said/Getty Images

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The Great Green Wall By: VANELLA TADJUIDJE (Junior) Across the most barren places in Africa, several countries have banded together to fight against a global enemy: climate change. Stretching from Senegal in the east to Djibouti in the west, the “Great Green Wall” is a project dedicated to fighting against the growing Sahara by planting trees. Lots of trees. The Sahara is the largest warm desert on Earth, and for the countries that border its southern edge — known as the Sahel — the Sahara is proving to be a more significant issue than anticipated. With a combined population of over 500 million people, the Sahel nations — Senegal, Mauritania, Burkina Faso, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Djibouti — are losing land to desertification brought by climate change and centuries of overgrazing. The Great Green Wall project was first proposed and launched in 2007 by the African Union but has recently changed. Rather than just focusing on planting trees, the project looks to restore the land through more conscious agricultural practices by 2030. So far, the project has created hundreds of thousands of jobs and has improved food and water security for the world’s poorest communities. The Great Green Wall is the Sahel’s hope in fighting not just climate change but also poverty and hunger as a symbol of unification across Africa.

The Great Green Wall of Africa

Source: Reddit.com

GLOBAL SPOTLIGHTS Looking Back and Looking Forward: COVID-19 and its Ramification on the Upcoming Generations of Students and Teachers: By: KALEE SEAMON (Freshman) COVID-19 has introduced uncertainty into key aspects of national and global society, especially within the system of education. As the pandemic hit, the world slowly became disconnected, and the educational community is no exception. One could say that education systems were hit the hardest.

Before the pandemic, students were already struggling to adapt to the educational environment that affects learners’ mental, physical, and social health. According to Andreas Schleicher in his brochure titled The Impact of Covid-19 on Education - Insights from Education At a Glance 2020 “[t]his crisis has exposed the many inadequacies and inequities in our education systems – from access to the broadband and computers needed for online education, and the supportive environments needed to focus on learning, up to the misalignment between resources and needs.” But just how much did the upcoming generations of teachers and students have to change and update their skills in the classroom because of the pandemic? Did this change the course of education as we know it?

Alabama's confirmed COVID-19 cases March 2020 Graphic by Ramsey Archibald

COVID-19 and Transmission in 17 K–12 Schools from August–November 2020

At the start of the pandemic, school systems were already in a transition to make sure all students were receiving proper education and exposure to material(s) throughout the globe. But in 2019, Covid-19 took the reins on the world, and the educational system as we knew it changed drastically.

Children, teachers, and staff were sent home by hundreds testing positive weekly. With the first few confirmed cases of Covid-19 within the U.S. on January 29th, by February 27th, schools were shut down. In response, the government and the schools had to come up with some way to keep students educationally up-to-par. Thus, hybrid and distance learning arrived, and today’s systems of Blackboard and Schoology were introduced worldwide to students and teachers alike. How do we continue to protect the upcoming generations of students and teachers in this global pandemic that has already taken normalcy out of their daily lives? We must continue to push them, motivate them, and allow them as the new generation of diversity to rise up against these odds and start anew. What we as a society can do for these students and teachers is not withhold any knowledge, experience, and opportunity from them based on economic, social, ethnic, or religious differences as they all pave way to the new future. COVID-19 has already taken enough, let us not take any more from innocent students and teachers as they have suffered harsh blows of change in their personal and social lives.

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SENIORS & CONFERENCE HIGHLIGHTS

THE W.E.B. DU BOIS HONORS PROGRAM CONGRATULATES THE SENIOR HONORS CLASS OF 2022.

THE GRADUATING CLASS IS AS FOLLOWS: 1. SIMONE SMITH Major: Management Capstone Research: Females in The Construction Industry 2. KAUNDA WOOTEN JR. Major: Forensic Biology Capstone Research: Odour of Corpses Measures PMI

W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Students Presented Research Findings at the Following Research Conferences: 1.

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Frontier Symposium, ASU (C-STEM) Alabama Mississippi Sociological Association (A-MSA) Research and Creative Activity Symposium (RCAS) Advancement of Management Conference (AMC)

3. VALENTIA KIMBROUGH Major: Political Science Capstone Research: Black Athletes’ Impact on American Politics

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4. TAYLOR YOUNG Major: Criminal Justice Capstone Research: An Examination of Enrollment and Retention Rates at a Southern HBCU

HONORS STUDENT PRESENTERS

5. CORRYN CARTER Major: Political Science Capstone Research: Unethical Internet: The Study of the Ethical Responsibility of Social Media 6. MICAH SANDERS Major: Communication Editor-in-Chief The Hornet Tribune, ASU 7. JUENE FRANKLIN Major: Finance Intern, Governor Ivey’s Office of Minority Affairs

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Corrigan Murry (A-MSA) Corryn Carter (RCAS) David Oyekeye (C-STEM) Hanan Musa (A-MSA) Kaunda Wooten Jr. (C-STEM) Obaloluwa Olaniran (C-STEM) Samuel Hailemicahel (C-STEM) Simone Smith (AMC) Taylor Young (A-MSA) Terri Brown (C-STEM) Timia Frierson (C-STEM) Vanella Tadjuidje (C-STEM)

8. HANAN MUSA Major: Forensic Biology 9. BEELSHADAY HABTU Major: Forensic Biology

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CLASS: Leading the March to Scholarly Excellence

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ADVISORS’ HIGHLIGHTS

Two W.E. B. Du Bois Honors Advisory Board Members Recognized with the "A-MSA: 2021 Outstanding Achievement Award" for their Academic Contribution to Alabama-Mississippi Sociological Association.

Dr. Ram Alagan, Professor of Geography, University College and the Interim Director, W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program and Dr. Seela Aladuwaka, Professor of Geography at University College and a member of the Honors Advisory Board, have been recognized with outstanding awards for their scholarly contributions to Alabama-Mississippi Sociological Association (AMSA) during the 2022 Annual Conference. Both of them have been associated with A-MSA since 2015 and continuously contributed their services in different capacities, including students' mentors, research presenters, conference organizers, events planners, and Alabama State Member at Large). In 2020, Dr. Alagan was appointed as the president of A-MSA and successfully executed the 51st annual conference at Alabama State University. Currently, Dr. Aladuwaka and Dr. Alagan serve as Member-at-Large, Alabama.

Throughout these seven years of the association with A-MSA, both have played a significant role in keeping the organization moving forward, most importantly, during the tough times of the global pandemic.

They brought diverse interdisciplinary approaches from their social science backgrounds and promoted students on a myriad of social and STEM research and other critical social issues to A-MSA conferences. Along with diverse academic perspectives, both presented unique research on Civil Rights Geography Information Systems and social struggle in the Black Belt Region in Alabama.

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ADVISORS’ HIGHLIGHTS

W.E. B. Du Bois Honors Advisory Board Member Dr. Manoj Mishra Recognized with the "Outstanding Achievement Award" for Cancer Research Dr. Manoj Mishra, professor of biological sciences at A.S.U., serves as an advisory board member of the W.E.B. Du Bois honors program. He has been working at A.S.U. since 2009.

Since then, his mission has been to establish a dynamic cancer research portfolio and develop it as an inclusive cancer research program where A.S.U. collaborates across disciplines and forges partnerships further to enhance cancer research and education.

Mishra believes that engaging and training students in cancer research allow them to learn about cancer development and progression. Since most cancers are considered health disparity diseases, educating students in the cancer field will help enhance health equity. As a founding member (2014) of the Cancer Biology Research and Training (CBRT), Mishra has collaborated as a primary investigator with several regional and national research institutions to collaborate and obtain federal grant research funding for CBRT. Since 2014, the CBRT has been involved in training high school, undergraduate, graduate students, postdoctoral research associates, and junior faculty in the diverse area of cancer research.

Mishra’s continued service to cancer research from ASU (Historically Black Colleges and Universities) has been recognized and awarded an outstanding award by the Society of American Asian Scientists in Cancer Research (SAASCR), a non-profit, non-political organization with more than 5000 members. W.E.B. Du Bois honors program is incredibly proud of his achievement and celebrates his service to the nation, particularly at ASU.

W.E. B. Du Bois Honors Advisory Board Member Dr. Brenda Gill Recognized with the "Outstanding Achievement Award" for her Academic Contribution to A-MSA Brenda I. Gill, Ph.D. a family sociologist, and past president (2017-2018) is an active long-standing member of the Alabama Mississippi Sociological Association (2009 to date). She is instrumental in encouraging, supporting, and nominating members to active roles in the association. Dr. Gill has a reputation for taking ASU students to the A-MSA conference where they present their original research. In addition to students, she invites and collaborates across colleges and disciplines and has been instrumental in having social workers, sociologists, geographers, health information management and other professors present their research at the annual conferences. Additionally, whenever the need arises to find board members, she nominates well-qualified and hardworking faculty from ASU for such positions. All of her nominees have been elected to positions on the Executive Board of AMSA and are vibrant members. In recognition of her dedication and hard work to AMSA, Dr. Gill was awarded the Distinguished Service Award, at AMSA’s 2020 conference.

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UC-CONNECT SPOTLIGHTS

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UC-CONNECT SPOTLIGHTS

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NAAAHP CONF. SPOTLIGHTS

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X-MAS BAZAAR SPOTLIGHTS

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X-MAS BAZAAR SPOTLIGHTS

Christmas Bazar, 2021

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BLACK HIS. MONTH SPOTLIGHTS

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Dr. Brenda Gill Professor of Sociology Associate Dean, CLASS

Mr. Freddie Williams. Jr Assistant Vice-President for Student Affairs/Enrollment Management/ Admissions & Recruitment Dr. Gulnaz Javan Professor of Forensic Science C-STEM

HONORS ADVISORY BOARD Mr. Kenneth Dean Coordinator, Student Media Dr. Lisa Cothran Professor of Psychology, CLASS Dr. Manoj Mishra Professor of Biological Sciences, C-STEM Mrs. Marie McNear Director Records and Registration

Dr. John Craig Professor of English, CLASS

Dr. Seela Aladuwaka Professor of Geography Advancement Studies, UC

Dr. Kamal Hingorani Professor & Dean, COBA

Mrs. Sondra Sutton-Obas Instructor, Advancement Studies, UC

Dr. Kathaleen Amende Professor & Dean, CLASS

Dr. William Taylor Professor of History, CLASS

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HONORS ADMINISTRATION

Impact

W. E. B Du Bois Honors Program Global Leadership Initiative University College, ASU

The W.E.B Du Bois Honors program is glad to distribute the inaugural edition (Spring 2022) of the IMPACT digital newsletter. We welcome submissions regarding scholarly writing, discussion, publications, conference presentations, and creative works, which we include in the 2nd (Spring 2023) edition. Please send your information to ralagan@alasu.edu or call: 334-604-8021

Thank you!

We are grateful to all who have contributed to the Spring 2022 edition: Photo Contributions: Ram Alagan, Lateef Oloko, Samuel Hailemichael, David Campbell, Timia Frierson, Denise Roy, Savannah Mendenhall, Manoj Mishra, Deja'ne Chatman, Ashly Robinson, Sophia Bax-Wooten, Terri Brown, Camille Zanders, Vanella Tadjuidje, Charlia Hardy, Nyla Weatherington

W.E.B Du Bois Honors Program Contact Ram Alagan, Ph.D. Professor of Geography Interim Director W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program 115, Patterson Hall Alabama State University Email: ralagan@alasu.edu Office: 334-604-8021

Evelyn Hodge, Ph.D. Dean, University College 101 G.W. Trenholm Hall Alabama State University Email: ehodge@alasu.edu Office: 334-604-8103

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Denice Roy Administrative Assistant W.E.B. Du Bois Honors Program 115, Patterson Hall Alabama State University Email: ddroy@alasu.edu Office: 334-604-8047