Dr. Chimalum “Chima” Nwankwo, A&T’s new head of the English Department, is in his second year here at A&T and has already begun making a huge impact on his students and surroundings.

“He’s working really hard to bring the English Department to the next level. He’s making sure that students are working to the best of their ability and preparing us for the outside world,” said Bryle Henderson Hatch, a junior communications studies major.

Nwankwo attended the University of Nigeria for his B.A. in English with a stress in drama in 1974. It wasn’t until one year later that Nwankwo would make his appearance in the United States at the University of Texas for graduate school and earned his Ph.D.

Soon after attaining his Ph.D. in English, Nwankwo returned back to Nigeria to teach at the University of Nigeria for five years.

He then came back to the U.S. to become a professor at North Carolina State University for 15 years. He expressed his experience at NCSU as meaningless.

“My time was wasted, and I felt as if my presence was unwanted,” he said.

That is when Nwankwo decided to come join the Aggie family at A&T.

When asked about his liking of A&T, he said, “I like A&T a lot! I like to push my people to make them understand that anything in the world is possible.”

Nwankwo said the reason he chose A&T as his next institution is because he had a ‘mission’ he wanted to accomplish. Since he previously worked on predominantly white campuses,

Nwankwo felt he wanted to be around his own people.

“Yes I do feel like I can perform my passion here. It feels wanted and useful. My colleagues seem to appreciate my presence very much, and my students seem to be very excited to my contributions,” he said.

He also added in how long he felt his presence would be here.

“I see myself here at A&T as long as they want me here, and my passion is still there,” Nwankwo said.

The students here at A&T enjoy Nwankwo’s classes very much. Ashley Charleston, who is enrolled in the African American Literature Graduate program, has received much influence from Nwankwo’s character and class.

“He’s very confident of himself and the knowledge he possesses. I feel more cultured now; and open minded. He gave a real classroom experience and helped me understand that he expected great things of me, and I should expect them also,” Charleston said.

Nwankwo has also added to a great working environment among his colleagues. He considers himself adding a new view to the English major and a new experience for everyone around him. His colleagues enjoy his joyful spirit and determined attitude.

“Dr. Chima is brilliant,” said his administrative assistant Shirley Samuel. “He is a rushing river of knowledge with relevant perspective on academia in this millennia for this culture. I love working for him.”

• Ashley Reid