Statement of Kim's Plans for Career Work on Africa

In 2003, beginning a program in politics and sociology at Michigan State, Kim said,

"I am interested in comparing democratization and migration in the regions of Southern Africa and Central America. Their similar democratization periods and struggles for consolidation influencing high migration can potentially produce normative insights for good governance…. In addition to conducting research and teaching African issues, I would like to administer university programs encouraging students to learn more about current African events. African Awareness programs would not only include the availability of university classes about African topics but also study abroad programs at African universities. The need for these programs to increase exposure on Africa is essential for areas like American foreign policy, anthropological and sociological studies, etc. My personal motivation is to encourage minority students in academic work. to not only study African issues, but also to seek advanced training by entering doctoral programs as well. In this way, I tie together my domestic and international passions : to nurture a new under-represented generation of African-minded scholars.

Download Kim's full statement (29KB, .doc) from 2003 about the career she wanted in university teaching, especially for minority students, and research linked with development work in African and Latin America for which she sought the Ph.D.