Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence Bids Farewell to Parkland College
Dr. Mane is one of 43 Fulbright Scholars-in-Residence this year
As the first Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Parkland College in many years, Dr. Youssoupha Mane bids farewell after bringing West African perspectives to instruction in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts at the college during the 2024–25 academic year.
With professional experience as an educator and researcher at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor, Senegal, he specializes in African Studies and the traditional art of the peoples of West Africa, particularly Senegal. This includes the Diola, the Bassari, the Bedik, and the Bainouk, among others.
At Parkland, Dr. Mane guest-lectured classes in art, communication, anthropology, and history in both fall and spring semesters; co-taught Cultures and Civilization of Sub-Saharan Africa; lectured at Parkland's Staerkel Planetarium and the Center of African Studies at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign; and assisted with the Honors Symposium at Parkland. He also collaborated with Parkland’s Giertz Gallery and the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures at UIUC.
“I found the atmosphere at Parkland College to be quite supportive and comfortable, particularly the smaller class sizes and the opportunity for one-on-one interaction with students during classes and office hours,” Dr. Mane says. “The college has made a variety of resources and support options available, as well as opportunities for personal and professional development, like the mentorship system, which, to be honest and grateful, has tremendously contributed to my understanding of the American education and environment.”
Dr. Mane describes the impact Parkland had on his educational career as a “deeply meaningful experience” which he says enriched his understanding of the challenges and contributions of international students.
“It has also deepened my appreciation for the value of diversity in our educational community,” Dr. Mane says. “The students I've had the opportunity to teach at Parkland have consistently shown qualities such as courtesy, composure, and a positive attitude. It is precisely this kind of interaction that makes class so enjoyable, so fluid, and so memorable, time seems to stand still. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to every one of them.”
The Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence program brings visiting scholars from abroad to U.S. colleges and universities, helping the institutions internationalize their curricula, campuses and surrounding communities. The program also helps diversify the educational experiences of their students, faculty, staff, and stakeholders.
“Dr. Mane's visit to Parkland as a Fulbright Scholar this academic year was made possible thanks to the efforts of Dean Joseph Walwik who submitted the application to the Department of Education,” says Isabel Scarborough, Department Chair of Arts, Media, and Social Sciences. “Both Arts, Media, and Social Sciences, and Humanities are grateful for Dr. Mane's contributions which added to our student's academic experiences and enhanced faculty collegiality.”
Dr. Mane is one of 43 Fulbright Scholars-in-Residence and among 1,000 outstanding foreign faculty and professionals who taught and pursued research in the U.S. for the 2024–25 academic year through the worldwide Fulbright Visiting Scholar program. He will return home to Senegal after participating in Parkland's Commencement ceremony.
More information about the Fulbright program can be found online.