Dr. Jelani Mahiri has been an adjunct professor at MSU since 2009. He holds a Ph.D. in sociocultural anthropology from UC Berkeley. Jelani teaches courses such as Introduction to Africana Studies, Cultural Anthropology and others that emphasize the importance of learning for shared humanity and liberation. A multitalented individual, Jelani also has degrees in physics and Spanish, is a photographer, musician, and dancer, and has planted over 1,000 trees in the Gallatin Valley. Passionate about Africana Studies, he believes the program fosters understanding, respect, and problem-solving while addressing vital global challenges.