A new coordinator/director of African American studies may be named.

A search committee is currently being conducted and Anita Shelton, head of the search committee, said review of the applications begins at the end of this month.

Shelton is also history department chair.

Michael Loudon is currently the acting coordinator of African American studies. Loudon has held this position since August 2006. He feels most Americans are far too arrogant and ignorant in their views of the rest of the world.

“We are generally far too selfish relative to others in the world – and lazy. We would rather shop than learn,” Loudon said. “We’re coyotes, always hungry for what has already been killed.”

The African-American Studies Program at Eastern focuses on the heritage and culture of African-Americans in the United States and Africa.

“The discipline of African American Studies offers critical thinking, a course of study that restores heart and soul to American higher education,” Loudon said. “It is integral to reflection and to study of American culture.”

Shelton said candidates for the position are scheduled to come to campus in April.

“The committee deliberates on all the candidates’ qualifications and on all feedback, and asks the chair to make a recommendation to the dean,” Shelton said. “In the end, the provost is the only person on campus with the authority to send a letter of offer to a candidate.”

This position would require working with Asian American studies, Latin American Studies and Women’s studies.

The search committee for the Director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Global Diversity, who would also serve as the Coordinator of the African American Studies Program, includes coordinators from those areas: Robert Petersen, coordinator of Asian American studies, and co-coordinator Jinhee Lee; Carlos Amaya, coordinator of Latin American studies; and Suzanne Enck-Wazner, coordinator of women’s studies.

“The new coordinator would manage all of these groups. They would make sure all the groups come together,” Amaya said.

Others on the committee include Loudon, Mona Davenport representing Minority Affairs and Kevin Anderson from the Political Science Department.

Loudon said knowing about different cultures and bringing awareness to them is crucial.

“Students will not be adequately prepared for the real world after college if they have not experienced some of these cultural differences,” Loudon said. “In the near future the majority will become the minority.”

The new coordinator of African American studies will not only work to bring awareness about African American culture, but Asian American studies, Latin American studies, and women’s studies, as well.

Enck-Wazner is standing in for Dagni Bredesen and Loudon is also an English professor.

Loudon teaches an English class each semester, and if a new coordinator is named, will go back to teaching English full-time.

“We see this position as drawing on and including all colleges and departments on campus,” Shelton said.

The position is set to be filled for fall semester.

“That is our hope, but we are more interested in finding an outstanding candidate for the position than in meeting a deadline,” Shelton said.

Ashley Mefford can be reached at 581-7942 or almefford@eiu.edu.