Amya Franklin

Why did you choose to attend UM?

To be totally honest, I wasn’t planning on coming to the University of Mississippi at first. There were just so many things about it that made me question whether it was the institution for me. I went to Oxford High School right here in Oxford, Mississippi, so I was right near the heart of the University. But, I was only on the outside looking in. My second semester of freshman year at Northwest Mississippi Community College all of that changed. My mentor, Bruce Ware, introduced me to Dr. Ajootian and Dr. Edney on my real first visit to campus, and if you know these two professors then I’m sure you know how my world changed in those moments. It was jarring to meet people so devoted to the betterment of not just learning and academia, but also the world as a whole. Their words in that small conversation were essentially a parallel to the codes of conduct that I live and love by. I could tell that those two professors sitting with me out on the Circle beneath the trees were a testament to the incredible dedication, resources, advancements, and promise that I would be met with at the University of Mississippi. That moment convinced me that this was the place for me.

When and why did you choose your major(s)/minors?

I’ve always been interested in history and writing pursuit of history & the betterment of our collective future. I just wasn’t sure where that (and all of my other interests) put me as a student in the expansive (and constantly expanding) world of academia. When I met some of my mentors here at UM, I saw all of these possibilities and I thought to myself “why not cultivate a space where your interests meet and intermingle in a way that not only opens doors, but has the capacity to widen the views of modern history?” And, so I chose the two of the most influential cultures to every exist to study: Greek & Roman history and the history of people of African descent. Two cultures that so greatly impacted (and still continue to impact) this world being studied in tandem has the potential for incredible academic exploration and, in turn, astonishing historical findings leading to the advancement of society as we know it today. I chose these majors because I believe in the betterment of the world around us through learning everything we can about the experiences and interactions that it’s made of.

Career goals?

I hope to get into a graduate program after I leave here and get a master’s degree in either history or creative writing. Soon after, I want to get a PhD in Sociology with an Africana Studies Concentration and later pursue a Civil Rights JD. Outside of academia, I genuinely just want to do whatever I can to make this world a better place. 

Have you had an experience that made you feel empowered at UM?

Yes, I have. One of my most empowering experiences unfolded very recently. First, here’s some background information about me: Some of my biggest moments in life have been those that have shifted my narrative about mental health & trauma in life. As a relatively recently diagnosed neurodivergent person, it has been a huge part of my life unpacking trauma around my disability and learning more about what it means for me as a person. The experience that I’m referring to was the very first time that I’d ever reached out to Student Disability Support Services about accommodations and I’d never met anyone in the SDS office before. I spoke with Corey Blount and the first words out ofhis mouth after I’d rambled on and on about how I wasn’t sure if I was allowed to ask for accommodations were “it is your civil right to ask for what you need in this world.” It was probably one of the most empowering conversations that I’ve ever had in my life.

Is there a professor who has been particularly helpful to you?

So many of the faculty and staff here at UM have been more than hospitable and considerate towards me, so that’s a tough question. I’d like to highlight that Dr. Derrick Harriell welcomed me so warmly to the African American Studies program and that’s a big part of why I want to be an ambassador. I want to give students and parents that same warm, eye-opening welcome to the African American Studies Program. 

What are you binge watching/reading/listening to?

I just recently started the award-winning podcast Ear Hustle. This podcast takes you into every-day prison life and presents remarkable stories of those living through it and after it. The hosts, Nigel Poor and Earlonne Woods, are funny, light-hearted and honest, which brings so much ease to the listening experience. And, while there’s so much ease to listening, these stories are incredibly raw and sometimes difficult to conceptualize as a non-incarcerated person. This podcast does a beautiful job of debunking some of the myths about prison life and re-humanizing those who experience it after the media and prison has done so much to take away their stories and voices. 

What do you want to change about the world?

I’d like it if we, as a society, brought a lot more attention and emphasis to the importance of empathy. Not just how we experience it, but how we teach it, cultivate it, disperse it, view it, and implement it into the things that we deem profitable. I think it’d change our world entirely.

What are your 3 favorite things about your major/department at UM?

I really appreciate that we have such a devoted team of professors who have a lot of one-on-one time with the students. I love that this department is so diverse in what we’re able to learn, and the topics that we discuss. And, I really just appreciate the fact that these spaces really allow for curiosity, expression, and lifelong learning.

Why is your department a special place?

I think that this department is a really special place because of the professors, who are just such incredibly talented and deeply empathetic people. I think that it really matters to have people who can create community around students and lift them up in a way that stays with them past life after academia (or this particular academic setting). Professors like this create space for lifelong learning, and the space that they cultivate really opens up the opportunity for nurturing lifelong learners and kind, good people.