Schedule a Meeting with a Dean

 In addition to the cultural programs we host, each Dean is available to meet with students to provide one-on-one support (i.e., academic, social, and emotional) to all our students.

Fall 2023 Academic Calendar

Tuesday, October 17

Last Day to Withdraw from a Course (Use SIS)

Friday, November 3 – Sunday, November 5

Family Weekend (Go to Family Weekend)

Tuesday, November 7

Election Day - No Classes

Name: Jacob Uskavitch, MD

Hometown: Nashville, TN

Undergraduate: University of Virginia, Class of 2017

Major: Chemistry, African-American & African Studies

Graduate: Meharry Medical College

Occupation: Family Medicine Resident Physician

My advice is to explore academic and extracurricular activities that you are passionate about. You'll be a more robust medical school applicant and a future physician able to connect with patients.

My favorite memory of OAAA is participating in the Peer Advisor Program: receiving and providing mentorship, fun retreat activities.

Studying 101: Study Smarter Not Harder Vol. 14 10.16.23

Now that you have finished your first round of midterms, tiredness ensues but not only are you tired you are hungry too! Feeling hungry while studying can be annoying and it can distract you from your progress. However, the reason you are hungry is a drop in blood sugar. Remember, during your intense study sessions your brain uses glucose leading to a fluctuation in your blood sugar levels that may result in mental fatigue and often hunger.

This week we discuss why you’re hungry when studying but also how to deal with that hunger, while you are studying to make the grade. Remember maintaining your BLACK EXECELLENCE is a constant process.

Four Ways to manage hunger and studying

1. Good healthy breakfast

A good, healthy breakfast can really fuel you for the hours to come. Make sure to eat whole grains during breakfast, like oats and bread. Also, try eating dry fruits, like raisins. Dry fruits can really satisfy your hunger. Lastly, add some source of protein, like nuts or milk.

2. Exercise before

Only 20 minutes of light exercise, like stretching, jogging and sit ups, can significantly help you focus during your study session without feeling hungry. The reason for this is that, during exercise, extra glucose is released in your body. Your brain can use this as fuel for your study session. 

3. Drink Water

Drinking some water not only helps relieve feelings of hunger, it also helps you focus and be more alert.

4. Take a break

Instead of reaching for the first sort of food you see when feelings of hunger arise, take a break of at least 15 minutes. During this break, drink water and move around; do some push-ups or take a walk. Then, after the 15 minutes are over, check if you still feel hungry. Chances are your hunger is gone.

Hello all! This is Ms. Carter with the affirmation of the week:

“Though these times are difficult, they are only a short phase of life. Everything that is happening now is happening for my ultimate good.”

Expanding one's vocabulary and learning new words can bring numerous benefits. Here is one key advantage:

Enriched Personal Growth: Learning new words can broaden someone's knowledge and understanding of the world. One can be exposed to different concepts, perspectives, and fields of study. It also can deepen an appreciation of language as one becomes more adept at recognizing word origins, etymology, and linguistic nuances.

Word of the Week:

immensurable

adjective [ih-men-ser-uh-buhl]

-          incapable of being measured; limitless

Remember, expanding one's vocabulary is a lifelong journey that brings numerous practical and intellectual benefits. It enriches communication, enhances understanding of the world, and fosters personal growth

Dear OAAA Family & Friends, 

I would like to give a special shoutout to OAS for hosting last week’s Black Friday. Their Jollof War was amazing! I believe it was the best Black Friday we have had to date. We also would like to give a special thanks to Ridley for sponsoring the food from Wayside!  

 As you are heading into the second half of the semester, I want to encourage, Don’t give up & Never Quit. You have made it this far. Keep moving forward.  

I look forward to seeing you this Friday! 

Jeffery C. Smith, II 
Assistant Dean