05/22/2026
This week’s Faculty Friday recognizes Sinfree Makoni, Liberal Arts professor of African studies and applied linguistics and director of the African Studies program, as the recipient of the 2026 President’s Award for Excellence in Academic Integration. His work reflects a deep commitment to connecting teaching, research, mentorship and service in ways that extend beyond the classroom and into global conversations.
Makoni has played a key role in building an interdisciplinary African Studies program that brings together students and faculty across a wide range of fields. His approach encourages collaboration across disciplines, creating space for students from areas like political science, education, geography and the arts to engage with African studies in meaningful and relevant ways.
His research focuses on the relationships between language, power and identity, particularly in colonial and postcolonial contexts. By challenging traditional perspectives and centering ideas from the Global South, Makoni’s work pushes students and scholars to rethink dominant narratives and consider new ways of understanding knowledge and culture.
Beyond the classroom, his impact is seen through the African Studies Global Virtual Forum, a weekly space that connects hundreds of participants from around the world. The forum creates an open and inclusive environment where scholars, students and community members engage in conversations about language, justice and global perspectives, expanding the reach of academic dialogue.
Through his leadership and scholarship, Makoni continues to shape a more connected, inclusive and globally engaged academic community.
