African American Studies Student Ambassador

Frederick is pursuing a B.S. in Legal Studies and a B.A. in African American Studies with a minor in Political Science. In 2021 he interned with the District Attorney’s Office. On campus he is involved in the UM NAACP, UM Black Student Union, Alpha Phi Alpha, and is a UM MOST Mentor.

Why did you choose to attend UM?
I chose to attend the University because of the environment on campus and the resources that are available to students that attend. The MOST conference also played a major role in me making UM my home.

When and how did you choose your major(s)/minor(s)?
Initially, I was a Legal Studies major, but after gaining more experience and learning more about myself, I decided that these two majors would allow me to further my education in diverse fields that interest me, while still having the possibility to pursue law after graduation.

Why is your department a special place?
My department especially, African American Studies, is a special place because it’s a small community of likeminded individuals.

Can you tell me about a professor or a class you’ve taken that has had the most impact on you?
The class that guided me to both of my majors was African American Politics, taught by Dr. Marvin King. That class was so amazing and drew my interest into both of the fields that I chose.

What do you hope to do after you graduate? What are your career goals/ plans for postgraduation?
I plan on going to either law school or pursuing a master’s and a doctorate in the fields of my study then going into higher education. I would also like to be the first African American governor in the state of Mississippi.

What is your go-to meal in Oxford?
A Chicken Bowl from Qdoba or Chipotle, preferably Qdoba.

What is one thing you wish you knew as an incoming freshman that you’d tell your past self (about the general college experience)?
The advice that I would give to an incoming freshman is to come to school with an open mind and to get involved. There are tons of student organizations and I guarantee you that at least one of them has something that you are interested in.