Recently Olivia Ekeh, senior history major, answered an important phone call. A faculty member from the UMass Amherst admissions board called to tell Ekeh some really big news. She was accepted as a Ph.D. student in the Afro-American Studies program. "When I got the call, it was really hard to contain my excitement," Ekeh said. "I've always wanted to complete my education straight through, so I was elated when I learned it was possible."

As a history major, Ekeh found her passion in 20th century African American history. Ekeh's research focuses on the Gullah people of the Sea Islands, a chain of islands off the coast of South Carolina. "Even though it is not always easy, I live for doing research," Ekeh said. "It is wonderful to have the freedom to research topics and draw your own conclusions in history."

And Ekeh draws her own conclusions about her UMass Amherst acceptance - she did not do it alone. She considers Professor Morgan Peters as one of her mentors. "He encouraged me to dig deeper when dealing with Black history," Ekeh said. "And he encouraged me to apply to the program." Like Professor Peters, Ekeh hopes to become a professor in African American studies and encourage her students to find their passions.

Ever wanted to take a trip around the world?  Professor Chris Larkosh, assistant professor in the Portuguese department, always wanted to. "I've always wanted to take a trip all the way around the world, but time considerations always seem to get in the way," he said. As an expert in Lusophone and comparative literatures, literary and cultural theory, translation studies, and studies in ethnicity, migration and citizenship, Larkosh has a lot to offer the international community. And he found a way to offer it - a yearlong sabbatical abroad.

Beginning in June 2013, Larkosh has traveled all over the world as researcher, guest lecturer, and keynote speaker. He researched in Istanbul and Southeast Europe; spoke at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil; presented at the University of Oxford, England; consulted for Hamad bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar; spoke at the University of Nottingham-Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur; researched in Timor-Leste, Philippines and Macau; invited guest at Ateneo de Manila, Quezon City, Philippines; research and keynote speaker at the University of Osaka, Japan; and research and writing in San Francisco.

After researching and writing in San Francisco, Larkosh will return to UMass Dartmouth. He realizes that his travels took him to places that few people have the opportunity to visit. He hopes that will change in the future, especially for students. "I hope I can be a resource for those students who want to pursue study and research in non-traditional destinations."

Where can single mothers find their voice through education? Where can aging adults keep their minds active? Where can emerging adults learn they are capable of college-level work?  All of this happens twice a week at the New Bedford Clemente Course in Humanities on Spring Street in New Bedford, MA. "Our students are taking risks," said Dr. Mark Santow, Clemente program director. "And we offer a welcoming, safe space to help them along."

Four UMass Dartmouth professors - Dr. Mark Santow, Dr. Jeannette Riley, Dr. Catherine Gardner, and Dr. Memory Holloway - teach courses in art history, American history, literature, and philosophy to economically disadvantaged adults. "Learning the humanities is helpful because it helps you build the skills needed to be a thinker, writer, and speaker," said Santow. "You learn the tools needed to be more purposeful in the way you live your life."

Funded by the Massachusetts Foundation for the Humanities, PACE Head Start, and UMass Dartmouth's College of Arts and Sciences, the free program provides everything that the students need to be successful like transportation, childcare, books, and notebooks. Upon completion of the course, students earn six college credits. But for the students, they see more than just credits. They've earned something bigger - a sense of empowerment.