The Alliance for African Partnership, in partnership with the African Studies Center and the Tanzania Partnership Program, is excited to announce the inaugural cohort of the Africa Global Partnership Scholars program (Africa GPS). Africa GPS is a cohort-based, mentored program, designed for MSU early to mid-career faculty members to create and deepen new scholarly partnerships with peers and institutions in Africa. The objectives of the Africa GPS program are to:

• Foster the development of a group of faculty members who are dedicated to establishing and enhancing impactful international research connections with African partners, and who will adopt a global perspective in their scholarly work;
• Support MSU’s 2030 strategic plan’s theme of discovery, creativity and innovation for excellence and global impact;
• Elevate the status of MSU’s global mission;
• Connect MSU faculty members with potential partners and mentors in Africa, expand the scholars' international networks, and offer support for establishing long-lasting scholarly relationships;
• Capitalize on opportunities to leverage external resources; 

The selected scholars will receive $10,000 in support of international travel and scholarly collaboration with researchers and/or mentors at an AAP Consortium member institution. AAP will also support scholars by connecting them to other potential partners, mentors, and institutions in Africa and by offering structured workshops on establishing and navigating international partnerships.

Africa GPS inaugural cohort awardees:

• Dr. Krista Walker Assistant Professor & Assistant Dean for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion—College of Nursing
• Dr. Furqan Irfan Associate Professor, Department of Neurology and Ophthalmology—College of Osteopathic Medicine
• Dr. Forest Morgeson Associate Professor, Department of Marketing—Broad College of Business
• Dr. Kenya Messer Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Administration, Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) program—College of Education
• Dr. Sara Bano Assistant Professor, Department of Educational Administration, Higher, Adult, and Lifelong Education (HALE) program—College of Education
• Dr. Barbara Thompson Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics and Human Development—College of Human Medicine
• Dr. Sonja Christensen Assistant Professor, Department of Fisheries and Wildlife—College of Agricultural and Natural Resources