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African American Graduate Association

AAGA Leadership

Roger Hyman '96, President
Owner and CEO of Hyman Counseling and Consulting, PLLC
Hawk's Eye View » 

Gia Todd Long '91, Vice President
Senior Support Specialist, Thermo Fisher Scientific

Brandon Barfield '14, Secretary
 

Ebony Bryant '01, Past President
Director of Diversity Initiatives, Duke School of Law
WE ARE UNCW profile »

About AAGA

The purpose of the African American Graduate Association (AAGA) is to encourage fellowship and friendship among its members, as well as celebrate African American students and alumni, and all their contributions to the university.

This volunteer group operates as an official, charted chapter of the alumni association and is governed by a set of bylaws. The chapter president serves as a voting member of the Alumni Association's Board of Directors.

 

Action Teams

Interested in the following areas? Email us to get involved with these action teams to support AAGA's five focus areas: curriculum, faculty & staff, students, cultural centers and alumni.

  • Advocacy
  • Communications
  • Social Media/Graphic Design

Leadership Council

Members who have demonstrated commitment and leadership, will be invited to participate in AAGA's Leadership Council as a liaison for one of the following areas. Leadership Council members meet at 9:30 am on the second Saturday of every other month.

  • Event and program promotion
  • Philanthropic engagement
  • Diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives
  • Student outreach and community service
  • Industry connections

Not receiving AAGA's invites or latest news?

Ways to Support African American Alumni and Students

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Make a gift

Explore UNCW's Diversity & Inclusion online giving portal to direct your gift to an area most meaningful to you. Additional areas to support can be searched by keyword, on this online gift form.

Scholarships

There are a growing number of scholarships available to students within, and who work to advance, the African American community.

Click on the names below to make a gift directly to the scholarship.

The Books+4Us Diversity Scholarship was created by Cindy Linn to assist students in meeting their educational goals on their way to becoming stronger contributing members of our society.

The James C. Braye Scholarship was created by Malcomb Coley to honor James C. Braye, a triple retiree, husband, father of five, grandfather of four, and fifty-five-year member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. Mr. Braye has been a soldier, businessman, counselor, singer, cantor, and politician. Born in the Great Depression, no one told him about his limited prospects for success in life.

The Denis G. Carter Scholarship was established in honor of Dr. Carter and was initiated by the African American Graduate Association. It is available to an incoming freshman who has expressed an interest in pursuing a major with the Cameron School of Business.

The Dr. Terry and Liz Coffey Diversity Scholarship was created by Dr. and Mrs. Coffey in honor of their commitment to UNCW and their interest in supporting first-generation college students.

The Euran S. Daniels Scholarship was created by Mr. Euran S. Daniels to promote diversity and award academic merit. These principles have been significant in the life experience of the donor, and he wishes to further them through the recipients of this scholarship.

The Mae Rachel Freeman Scholarship was created by gifts from family and friends of Mrs. Freeman.

The Nikkita Donyal Johnson Diversity Scholarship in Theatre was created by Ms. Johnson to assist students in the Department of Theatre.

The Douglas L. Johnson Memorial Scholarship was created by friends and family of Douglas L. Johnson to honor his memory and his service to his community and to the university.

The Sarah Faison Jones Diversity Scholarship was created by the family of Sarah Faison Jones. She was recognized by Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo for being the inspiration behind two generations of Jones students attending and graduating from UNCW.

The Landry Family Diversity Scholarship in Business was created by Jo and Rick Landry to assist the university in meetings its commitment to maintaining a campus environment that values rich diversity in its student body and specifically the Cameron School of Business.

The Cornelius E. Nixon Jr. Diversity Scholarship was created by Ms. Carrie L. Nixon, in memory of her brother, Cornelius E. Nixon Jr. The scholarship will be used to assist the university in meeting its commitment to maintaining a campus environment that values a rich diversity in its student body.

The Ralph H. Parker Scholarship was created and funded by alumni and friends of Ralph H. Parker, former director of the UNCW Office of Minority Affairs; to recognize his long-time service to UNCW.

The Dr. Howard S. Rasheed Diversity Scholarship in Management was created in memory of Dr. Rasheed, a respected faculty member in the Management Department of the Cameron School of Business.

The William A. and Joyce Sederburg Diversity Scholarship was created by Chancellor William A. Sederburg and his wife, Joyce, in honor of their service and commitment to UNCW.

The Ernest A. Swain Scholarship was created by the Omicron Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity to honor Ernest A. Swain, the man, his profession, and his service to the New Hanover County community. This scholarship will be used to assist in attracting freshmen students who are interested in studying any field, who are from diverse populations who have graduated from the New Hanover, Brunswick or Pender County School System.

The Dr. Lynne Reeder and Dr. Earl Sheridan Merit Scholarship was created by the Black Faculty and Staff Association. The fund, originally known as the UNCW Black Faculty and Staff Association Merit Scholarship, was renamed in 2020 in honor of former members Dr. B. Lynne Reeder and Dr. Earl Sheridan. This scholarship is intended to be used to assist the university in meeting its commitment to maintaining a campus environment that values a rich diversity in its student body.

The UNCW Diversity Scholarship was established to promote the university’s commitment to maintaining a campus environment that values a rich diversity of human beings among its faculty, staff and students. The university defines diversity as the representation of populations shaped by historical circumstances, cultural identities, and/or varying socioeconomic circumstances.

The Dr. L. W. Upperman Scholarship was created by Dr. Upperman in acknowledgment of his deep concern and desire to give something of substance and meaning to the African-American community. It is awarded annually to an incoming freshman resident of North Carolina with a demonstrated interest in African American heritage.

The Wells Fargo Bank Scholarship was created by Wells Fargo Bank to assist UNCW in fulfilling its diversity goals as defined by its mission. The scholarship is intended to assist students enrolled in the Cameron School of Business.

The Williston Alumni Scholarship was created by alumni of Williston Industrial and Williston Senior High Schools. It is awarded to a deserving freshman who has indicated an interest in the field of education.

 

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Volunteer your time and talents

Are you interested in mentoring students, helping recruit Seahawks, or other ways to get involved?

If you have questions and wish to discuss giving options or involvement opportunities, contact Vivian Locklear, Development Officer for Diversity Initiatives, at (910) 962.3075 or lockleara@uncw.edu.

 

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Learn about campus resources

Upperman African American Cultural Center »

Upperman Green Book »

Office of Institutional Diversity and Inclusion (OIDI) »

Black Faculty and Staff Association »

Career Resources »

 

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Recognize alumni and faculty

Share news and accomplishments here, for possible inclusion in UNCW Magazine and social media.

Each year, nominations are accepted from alumni for the following awards:
Alumni Association Distinguished Awards »
Cameron School of Business Outstanding Alumni Awards »
School of Nursing Annual Alumni Awards »
Watson College of Education Alumni Awards »
J. Marshall Crews Distinguished Faculty Award »