Nexus Scholar alumni profile: Nnenna Ochuru ’25
"I want to further study the politicalization of education."
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The Program in American Studies offers an interdisciplinary engagement with what America means in the United States and in a global context. Faculty encourage students to look at the meaning and reality of the evolving United States as a question still in need of answering and as an experiment still in process, not as a dream fully realized. We use multiple perspectives and methodologies and require that students synthesize knowledge in ways that develop the skills needed for rigorous, complex analysis.
Giving to the American Studies Program
You can make a gift online at Cornell’s Alumni, Parents & Friends page or send a check payable to “Cornell University” (Memo: American Studies Program) to: Cornell University |
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American Studies News
Combining humanities and tech for research gains
An interdisciplinary project is sparking collaborations among those interested in digital approaches to the study of history, languages and culture.
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Historian to explore state of American sports in 2025 Seymour Lecture
Author and historian Kevin Baker will examine the paradox at the heart of modern American sports: while there are more games and sports than ever before, access has become increasingly limited and costly.
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TCAM brunch highlight’s women’s history at Cornell
Cornell historian Corey Earle shared stories of remarkable women throughout Cornell’s history during an Oct. 25 brunch as part of the Trustee Council Alumni Meeting.
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Civil War still haunts American attitudes toward democracy
A new book by Shirley Samuels examines the story behind today’s divided America in literature and art created during and soon after the Civil War.
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Cornell ‘Swifties’ bond over musical superstar 
The Cornell Swift Club will ring in a new Taylor Swift era with a late-night album release party for “The Life of a Showgirl.”
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Inaugural “Freedom Party” in downtown Ithaca centers on community connection
A Sept. 27 event taking inspiration from the foundations of the Harlem Renaissance will highlight collaboration, resource sharing and storytelling.
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In Kops Lecture, law scholar will explore ‘the Constitution in crisis’
Aziz Rana, a professor of law at Boston College, will discuss the relationship between the constitutional system and current democratic backsliding.
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Alumni Connections: Megan Zhang '16
Megan Zhang was an American Studies major who also took a premed curriculum:
"My American studies major gave me a unique background during med school interviews, and was definitely a conversation starter. It makes you a much more competent person in dealing with people who have different backgrounds than yourself. I appreciate the confidence it gives me to ask people about their side of the story, because there’s always another side of the story.”
After graduating, Megan spent a gap year working with families at a women’s and children’s shelter outside of Boston has opened her eyes to the diversity of experiences and situations that can lead someone to become homeless.