The primary mission of the Institute for African American Studies (IAAS) is to enlighten and inform the University of Connecticut community and the people of the State of Connecticut, nation and the world about the history, culture, contributions and experiences of people of African descent in the United States. To achieve this goal, the IAAS promotes the high quality research, scholarship, and teaching of the African American experience and sponsors wide variety of programs on topics and issues that are critical to Black America and pertinent to a better understanding of the Black world.

The IAAS functions with a director, and associate director, an administrative assistant, a faculty advisory board, teaching and research fellows, and student assistants. The Institute is centrally located on the main campus with offices in Wood Hall. Professor Jeffrey O.G. Ogbar, Director. Ms. Rose Lovelace, Program Coordinator. Phone (860) 486-3630.

A Message From the Director