Earlier this spring, Prof. Hakim Mohandas Amani Williams, the Daria L. and Eric J. Wallach Professor of Peace and Justice Studies and professor of Africana Studies at Gettysburg College, was named a Fulbright Scholar Alumni Ambassador by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Williams is one of just 13 alumni ambassadors chosen from more than 180 applications by former Fulbright Scholars.
Williams is serving a two-year term in his role as an alumni ambassador and will represent the Fulbright Scholar Program at select events. The Fulbright Scholar Program, funded by the U.S. Department of State, supports more than 800 U.S. faculty and professionals each year to teach and/or conduct research in more than 125 countries around the world.
Reflecting on an honor that mirrors his own commitment to global education and social justice, Williams remarked, "It is quite touching to be recognized for my passion in and out of the classroom. I am an ardent internationalist who isn't afraid to shake up the status quo toward the co-crafting of more just and sustainable futures.”
His own Fulbright project, situated at the intersection of Africana studies, peace and justice studies, and education, delves into a transnational analysis of nonformal education in Jamaica, Brazil, Ghana, and the United States. He intends to theorize on what he terms "pluriversal peace and justice education," showcasing his belief that research, teaching, and mentorship are interconnected forms of activism.
At Gettysburg, Williams’ impact is keenly felt across campus with teaching and advisory roles across several disciplines, including peace and justice studies, Africana studies, education, international and global studies, public policy, and Civil War Era studies. He has been honored multiple times for his commitment to higher education, earning the Early Career Alumni Award from Teachers College Columbia University, the inaugural Emerging Scholars Award from the African Diaspora SIG of the Comparative and International Education Society, and the Dr. Ralph Cavaliere Award for Excellence in Teaching from Gettysburg College.
Recently, Williams published a coedited book with Hana Huskic ’22 and Christina Noto ’19 titled "Disrupting Hierarchy in Education: Students and Teachers Collaborating for Social Change" through Teachers College Press.
Through his work, Williams embodies the principles of social justice and academic excellence, inspiring both his students and colleagues. His Fulbright Alumni Ambassadorship serves as a testament to his ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful change through education and preparing our students to lead lives of consequence and meaning.
By Corey Jewart
Photos by Shawna Sherrell, Zach Aumen
Posted: 05/24/24