L. Kaifa Roland, Ph.D.
Director of Global Black Studies
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Contact
Affiliated Faculty, External To CAH
Office: 252 Sirrine Hall
Phone: 864-656-2584
Website: https://www.kaifaroland.com
Email: lroland@clemson.edu
Education
Ph.D. in Cultural Anthropology, Duke University (2004); M.A., African Studies, Howard University (1994); B.A., Third World Studies (Latin America/Africa), Oberlin College (1991)
Courses
Introduction to Global Black Studies, Black Women and the Pursuit of Happiness,Cuba Study Abroad
Research Interests
Cuba and the Caribbean, Cultural Anthropology, Race and Belonging, Tourism
L. Kaifa Roland began her career as an instructor began at Duke University, where she taught courses in Contemporary Culture in Cuba and the Caribbean. After Duke, she was a visiting instructor and visiting professor in anthropology at Kenyon College. She earned tenure at University of Colorado at Boulder in Anthropology, and had the opportunity to chair the Department of Women and Gender Studies. In 2021, she came to Clemson University to serve as Director of the Global Black Studies, now in the Interdisciplinary Studies Department within the College of Arts and Humanities. As a cultural anthropologist, Roland’s research has focused on the Caribbean, specifically Cuba. Belonging is a central theme of her book, “Cuban Color in Tourism and La Lucha: An Ethnography of Racial Meanings,” as well as of multiple articles and chapters she has penned describing the black experience. Her second book, "Minding Her Business: AfroCubana Tourism Entrepreneurs," is under contract with Rutgers University Press (anticipated Winter 2024 publication).
Awards
President's Leadership Institute (Clemson) 2023-2024, Graduate School Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award, (CU Boulder) 2020, Research and Innovation/RIO Program Faculty Fellow (CU Boulder) 2018–2019, Leadership Education for Advancement and Promotion/LEAP-Sponsored Associate Professor Growth Grant (CU Boulder) 2018–2019
