The First Black Studies Graduate at the University of Connecticut

Paula McFarlane graduated from the University of Connecticut this month. She is the first person to graduate from the university with a degree in African-American studies. In 2007 McFarlane spent a semester on the schooner Amistad, traveling to countries such as England and Portugal, learning about the trans-Atlantic slave trade. When she returned to Connecticut, she found out that the university had instituted an African-American studies major. McFarlane, who had completed a minor in the subject, was able to satisfy the major requirements in just one year. During her senior year, McFarlane also gave birth to a baby girl.

She is applying to master’s degree programs in public policy at the University of Connecticut and Brown University.

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