Focus on Africa
A working model in Experiential Education...
Established in 1968, Merrill College is one of ten residential colleges at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC).
The Focus on Africa series at Merrill has a dual emphasis: a) upon current affairs on the African continent, and b) on specific methodologies that participating students can use in building viable constituencies for Africa - on campus and in their home communities. Areas of specific focus include: Public Health, Media, Technology and Education, Energy and Transportation.
Since opening its doors in 1965, the Santa Cruz campus has had significant connection to the African continent. Distinguished alumni who have played major roles in African affairs include (among others): Katherine Canavan - United States Ambassador to Lesotho (1998 - 2001) and to Botswana (2005 - 2008), Dr. Cheryl L. Scott - Country Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tanzania (2000 - 2005), the late Marcellus Collins - a highly respected architect, whose work included public as well as private sector projects in countries throughout East Africa, the late Dr. Ruth P. Wilson - medical anthropologist, researcher and Department Chair, African-American Studies at San Jose State University, and Dr. (Abdu) A.B.K. Kasozi - historian, author and former Executive Director of Uganda's National Council for Higher Education.
Africa is particularly central to the DNA of Merrill College. The college's founding Provost, Dr. Phillip W. Bell and many of his colleagues - including Dr. John Marcum, Dr. Noel Q. King and Dr. John Isbister - were renowned scholars whose curricula vitae reflected significant teaching and/or research experience on the African continent.
Dr. John Marcum - Merrill's second Provost (1972 - 1977) - served as President of the African Studies Association (1975 - 1976).
The current Merrill administration, under the direction of Provost Aims Mc Guinness and Provost Emerita Elizabeth S. Abrams, has proudly embraced this heritage.
Focus on Africa (FOA) was launched during the 2014 – 2015 academic year as an effort to re-kindle the historic ties to Africa shared by Merrill College and UCSC. The course is taught by UCSC Lecturer Melvin Cox (Merrill College, Class of 1973).
Readings and projects completed at Merrill College via independent study in Fall 2014 and Winter 2015 provided the foundation for a successful journey to the continent during the Spring of 2015. Accompanied by Mr. Cox and Dr. Kimberly Helmer, eleven students from various backgrounds visited London, Cape Town and Dar es Salaam during a sixteen day sojourn. This was the first international travel for most of the students.
Independent study in the Spring of 2016 examined critical issues in the run up to August 11th General Elections in Zambia.
In keeping with the college's unwavering commitment to Experiential Education1, program participants take part in a quarterly off-campus 'team-building' exercise.
In August of 2016, two FOA students traveled to Nairobi, Mombasa, Dar es Salaam and Lusaka at the invitation of the instructor. During sixteen days of travel, the students gained ‘real world’ experience as ‘bloggers’, interviewers and video production assistants.
Coursework offered during the Fall Quarter of 2016 focused upon Ghana – and further built upon the solid foundation established during the previous quarters. A class focusing on Kenya was held during the Spring of 2017.
The Fall Quarter 2017 course examined issues surrounding the historic annulment of presidential election results in Kenya - and sought to provide a functional overview of the African Union (AU).
Representatives of the Focus on Africa program participated, as invited guests, in the December 2017 Kenya Diaspora Homecoming Convention (KDHC) - held at Strathmore University in Nairobi.
In April, 2018 Merrill College and the Focus on Africa program were honored to host a lecture by Professor Paul Tiyambe Zeleza, Vice Chancellor and Professor of the Humanities and Social Sciences at the United States International University - Africa in Nairobi.
In December, 2018 four (4) students participated in the 2018 KDHC
in Nairobi.
To date, over 200 undergraduates have completed FOA coursework.
Partnership with CUK
Since 2020 and the onset of the global Covid-19 pandemic, UC Santa Cruz has partnered with the Co-operative University of Kenya (CUK) in offering Focus on Africa courses remotely. These highly popular "Global Classrooms" courses have been presented utilizing Canvas, Zoom, Yuja, Kahoot! and other digital technologies.
The Winter 2023 course examined impacts of the 2023 Nigerian Presidential Election.
Focus on Africa: Photo Gallery
Alumnus takes students into Africa - by Peggy Townsend - UC Santa Cruz - 21st March, 2017
Undergraduate Research Papers - COMING SOON!
The Kenya Diaspora Alliance Salutes 50 Years of Educational Excellence at Merrill College - 28th April, 2018
UC Santa Cruz breaks records with increased applications for Fall 2024 - 06th March, 2024
The Focus on Africa program at Merrill College depends upon the generosity of individuals, organizations and institutions. Your help in assuring the continuance of this successful model in experiential education is respectfully requested.
Asante Sana...
