Dr. Pamela Moore is engaged in observing artwork displayed on the windows of a building within the Fort Jesus complex in Mombasa, Kenya. The artwork vividly portrays scenes from the lives of slaves who were historically brought to the fort through the active slave trade along the East African coast.
In her role as the associate dean for global engagement at the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff’s Office of International Programs and Studies (OIPS), Dr. Pamela Moore is dedicated to ensuring that UAPB students have enriching experiences abroad while also facilitating similar opportunities for international students at UAPB. Through her initiatives, UAPB students have had the chance to partake in educational programs across various countries including China, Mexico, France, South Africa, Ghana, Kenya, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and Colombia.
A significant focus of her office’s endeavors lies in the realm of agriculture and its sustainability. For instance, recent funding from the 1890 Center of Excellence in International Engagement and Development has enabled OIPS to conduct three distinctive study abroad programs tailored for students pursuing degrees in agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and human sciences at 1890 land-grant institutions.
Among the funded projects was a two-week endeavor that allowed students from UAPB, North Carolina A&T University, and Tennessee State University to delve into agricultural topics such as maize breeding, catfish farming, and the production of value-added foods in Ghana. Another program, also set in Ghana, empowered 1890 land-grant faculty and students to design and execute a three-day Extension training program focused on aquaculture and fisheries for the faculty and staff at a partnering institution. Additionally, a service-learning initiative in Kenya provided UAPB students with the opportunity to compare American and Kenyan cultures while honing their professional skills. These programs were spearheaded by faculty program leaders from the UAPB School of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Human Sciences with the backing of funding and technical support from OIPS.
Dr. Moore emphasized the catalytic nature that underpins global programming, stating, “Our work involves connecting individuals across cultural boundaries to facilitate the exchange of knowledge, fresh ideas, and different perspectives. When our students immerse themselves in a foreign country, I envision the multitude of ideas and experiences they encounter even in my absence. The transformative impact on the students is profound.”
The ever-evolving global dynamics present both challenges and rewards in Dr. Moore’s role. She highlighted the interconnectedness of their work with global dynamics, including factors like wars, climate change disruptions, shifts in government policies, and other influential elements.
Despite her current role, it might come as a surprise to many that Dr. Moore had once withdrawn from a study abroad program during her college years. Reflecting on this experience, she shared, “The summer before my senior year, I was selected for a program in the Dominican Republic organized by Morehouse College faculty. However, due to family concerns and the pressures of securing internships and preparing for my final year of school, I eventually opted out of the program.”
Post her graduation from Spelman College with a degree in political science, Dr. Moore embarked on a transformative journey across Europe and Africa, courtesy of a Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. Recalling this period, she reminisced about the diverse array of places visited and people encountered, including a memorable stay in Geneva, Switzerland, hosted by the daughter of a government official involved in the U.S. government’s Marshall Plan efforts in Greece post-World War II. This experience stood in stark contrast to her later stay with Ethiopian refugees fleeing political oppression in Sudan.
Dr. Moore pursued a dual degree program encompassing a master’s degree in public policy from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government and a Juris Doctorate from Harvard Law School between 1982 and 1987. Despite this academic trajectory, her international experiences steered her towards a different career path focused on social impact rather than wealth and status. Subsequently, she made a conscious decision to teach at Jackson State University, a historically Black institution in Mississippi, a choice she has never regretted.
Born in 1960 and raised in Greenville, Mississippi, during the peak of the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. Moore’s formative years were shaped by the socio-political landscape of the era. She recalled childhood memories of segregated facilities like movie theaters and health clinics, unaware of the racial disparities at play.
Dr. Moore underscored the importance of travel in gaining a broader perspective on one’s position in the world, especially in regions like the southern U.S. where narratives of poverty and racism often dominate. She emphasized the need to acknowledge and celebrate the diverse contributions of regions like the Mississippi Delta to literature, music, and democratic governance, highlighting the transformative impact of social movements on individuals and society at large.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff upholds a commitment to offering Extension and Research programs without discrimination based on various factors, ensuring an inclusive and equitable environment for all participants.