Northwestern University announced that its Program of African Studies will be reorganized beginning in September, transitioning from the Office of Research to the Office of the Provost. The program, which has operated for 78 years since its founding in 1948, will retain its core functions despite the administrative restructuring.
University spokesperson Jon Yates characterized the move as an effort to “re-energize a valuable program and to ensure its success going forward.” Faculty members will continue conducting research and teaching coursework in African studies at the undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral levels. Additionally, the program’s endowment will remain unchanged under the new arrangement.
The restructuring follows the recent termination of the program’s two staff members. One of the eliminated employees, Meagan Keefe, stated she was informed that her position was being eliminated due to the program’s change in designation from a research center. According to university officials, the responsibilities previously handled by these positions will be absorbed by existing staff within the provost’s office.
The Program of African Studies is historically significant as the first of its kind established in the United States. It continues to support interdisciplinary research and academic programming across multiple degree levels, maintaining its endowment despite the administrative transition.
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