Author: Henry Schuelke          Major: Political Science and History

Henry Schuelke

Henry Schuelke, a student enrolled in the Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences majoring in Political Science and History, participated in a research assistantship under African History Professor Todd Cleveland in the 2021 Spring semester. I have committed to a master’s program in European History at the University of Colorado in Colorado Springs. I did not choose my topic, in the fall of 2020 Professor Louise Hancox made me aware of an opportunity as a research assistant for Professor Cleveland’s project. Although African history is beyond the scope of my preferred field of specialization, I decided it would be a good opportunity to gain archival experience and applied by emailing Professor Cleveland at the provided email address. I learned how archival work is done and about the scope of the efforts of the United States Information Agency. Furthermore, I was previously unaware of what a significant role the Fulbright exchange program played in American efforts at exerting soft power in Africa during the cold war and beyond. I did not face any challenges other than sickness and weather preventing me from doing research on my preferred timetable. My mentor was very helpful in his prompt responses to my emails. Research Services Coordinator Geoffery Stark was most helpful in explaining the minutiae of performing my duties. When completed, the work I participated in will be helpful to future research regarding the specifics of the history of American influence on the academia of all African countries. I did not travel anywhere but to the Special Collections Library. As I begin earning a master’s degree in European History, I hope to specialize in the revolutionary upheavals of the long nineteenth century, particularly in Germany. I hope to study abroad in Luneburg Germany next year where I will hone my German-speaking ability and further narrow down my fields of interest.