Since the African Studies Program was established in 2001, a total of 215 students enrolled in different departments of the University of Pittsburgh have registered for the Undergraduate Certificate in African Studies. Out of these, the following have graduated and obtained the undergraduate Certificate as listed below:

Year
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007

Many of our students have participated in study abroad programs in various countries of Africa such as: Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. We have witnessed a growing student interest in African Studies and we continue to encourage students to enroll in our certificate programs.

One of our students, Brandon Cohen, is now working with a development organization, "FORGE," a program of the World Refugee Academy. FORGE is a student initiated organization dedicated to creating educational opportunities for refugee youth and facilitating opportunities for refugee growth and empowerment. By providing refugee youth with opportunities to develop their potential through education and community service, FORGE believes it is also contributing to the improvement of life and development of responsible leadership among refugee communities. Brandon is FORGE 2004 Project Coordinator, for Botswana. If you are interested in learning more about the World Refugee Academy you can visit their website.

Tyler Gourley is a junior in the department of Political Science and is enrolled for the African Certificate Program. Currently he is in Tanzania on study abroad at the University of Daresalam and also doing volunteer work through the Mondo Challenge program. Tyler is also assisting in teaching students in the towns of Pangani, Longido and Pare, remote areas of Tanzania. In his communication with us, he has told us how valuable his experiences are and how much he would like to help the children he has worked with to provide much needed school supplies. He has organized with the University of Pittsburgh Volunteer Pool to collect donations of school suppliers in what he has termed An African Wish List, to help the children in those schools.

Most of our students have expressed a lot of interest in African Studies and would like more opportunities to be able to travel to Africa and experience the continent first-hand.