with Sandra Lewis
Sandra Lewis
Born and raised:
Atlanta, Ga.
Hometown:
Montclair.
Education:
B.A., psychology, Spelman College;
Psy.D., Graduate School of Applied and Professional Psychology, Rutgers
University.
Hobbies:
Bikram Yoga, which is done in a room heated to 100 degrees or more, and
is believed to increase flexibility and remove toxins from the body. Meditation
in groups or solitary.
Favorite authors:
Toni Morrison and Barbara Kingsolver
For three years Sandra Lewis has directed one of the University's largest interdisciplinary minors--African-American Studies. Sandra says the minor is more than a chance to learn about history, it's an opportunity for African-American students to explore their roots and gain a better understanding of their own lives and future.
"When we don't know our past, we don't know what we bring into our
future," she said. "When I think of African-American studies,
I think of a proverb that states: To go back to tradition is the first
step forward. By looking to our history, we are truly able to move forward."
Sandra, who also teaches in the Psychology Department, is heavily involved
in developing the minor's curriculum and recruiting students to the minor,
which began at Montclair State in 1975. "The program offers respect
and recognition to the contributions of people of African descent and
is an opportunity to learn about things that may have been kept hidden,"
she said. "Students learn to understand another person's culture
and history, which leads to better understanding of the person. It helps
people think more broadly and look at issues and concerns from a variety
of perspectives. This minor aids this important process."
Sandra is involved in organizations such as the International Black Women's
Congress, which is involved in community projects, breast cancer awareness,
rites of passage programs and AIDS management programs. She takes the
experience she gains outside the classroom and passes it along to her
students. This semester she's developing a class in African women's studies.
"I do a lot of work that impacts people of African descent,"
she said. "I have been active in black women's groups and I think
that strengthens the class for the students." In addition, she spends
time with the African-American Caucus and the Organization of Students
for African Unity.
"I have tried to build upon the strong foundation that Saundra Collins
of Psychology had created during her years as director," said Sandra,
who still works closely with Collins.
Sandra also is involved in developing programming for the annual African-American
Heritage Month celebration, which opened this month with a tribute to
the late Langston Hughes. "People are still telling me how much they
enjoyed the opening ceremony," she said. "I feel that people
reached out and opened up. I felt a sense of community within the campus."
The next African-American Heritage Month program will be held Tuesday, Feb. 19, when Regina Jennings, scholar of Black Panther literature, presents "Poetry of the Black Panther Party: Metaphors of Militancy" at 7 p.m. in the Student Center Ballrooms.