To support the scholarly and professional development of Africana Studies faculty, Director Evelyn Simien established the ASI Faculty Fund in 2025. The fund provides resources to Africana Studies core faculty for research, manuscript development, course enhancement, event programming, and professional development opportunities.

For the 2025-2026 academic year, Fiona Vernal, Deirdre Cooper Owens, Fumilayo Showers, and Melina Pappademos received Faculty Fund awards to advance their teaching, research, and professional activities.

Fiona Vernal utilized her award to support her civically engaged scholarship as director of the Engaged, Public, Oral and Community Histories (EPOCH) initiative. The funding helped further community-centered historical research and public engagement efforts.

Deirdre Cooper Owens used her funding to hire an undergraduate research assistant to support her ongoing research on Harriet Tubman, providing valuable research experience for students while advancing this important scholarly work.

Fumilayo (Fumi) Showers applied her award to continue and expand her research examining educational attainment and migration aspirations among undergraduate students enrolled in schools of medicine, nursing, and allied health sciences in Ghana.

Melina Pappademos used her funding to support research for her forthcoming book project as well as professional development opportunities that contribute to her ongoing scholarly growth and impact.

Through the ASI Faculty Fund, Africana Studies continues to invest in faculty scholarship, student engagement, and innovative research that advances knowledge within and beyond the university community.