The first Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence bids farewell to Parkland College

“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.”

ContributedParkland CollegeParkland College

CHAMPAIGN, IL (Chambana Today) – The first Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence at Parkland College, Dr. Youssoupha Mane bid farewell to Parkland College.

Dr Mane had professional experience as an educator and researcher at Assane Seck University in Ziguinchor, Senegal and specializes in African Studies. He brought West African perspectives to instruction in the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts at the college during the 2024 to 2025 academic year. Dr. Mane guest-lectured classes in art, communication, anthropology, and history in both fall and spring semesters.

“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.”

He 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. On top of this, he also collaborated with Parkland’s Giertz Gallery and the Spurlock Museum of World Cultures at UIUC.

“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. He will return to Senegal after participating in Parkland’s Commencement ceremony.

More information about the Fulbright program can be found online.