Sheila Marie Aird Phd, is an associate professor and Director of European Academic Programs at SUNY’s Empire State College. Dr. Aird oversees the program for the four European locations.
She received her Ph.D. in Latin and Caribbean History and MA from Howard University. During her final year of research at Howard University, she was awarded the prestigious Sasakawa Fellowship from the Nipon Foundation in Japan. Dr. Aird also holds a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Anthropology with a focus on Historical Archeology from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University.
Dr. Aird’s considers herself a cultural historian and is most interested in public scholarship in its many forms. Her passion lies in making historical and cultural moments come alive while educating the public through the medium of documentary and film, photography and museum exhibits. Her areas of interests include Public History, pop culture, children of colonial enslavement, and issues of race in the African Diaspora community. Dr. Aird has presented on her work in many venues both domestically and internationally.
Degrees
- B.A. in Anthropology/African Studies from Syracuse University
- M.A. in Anthropology from Syracuse University
- M.A. in History from Howard University
- Ph.D. in Latin/Caribbean History and African Diaspora/Public History from Howard University