36-year-old African-American man becomes US university Professor, sets outstanding record

Dr. Freeman's academic journey began in 2011 when he obtained his first degree in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University in the United States. Subsequently, he was swiftly hired at Tuskegee University, where he served as a Director in the Teaching and Learning Center for over 3 years. Later, he joined the University of Idaho as an Associate Professor before recently achieving the esteemed position of Full Professor.

36-year-old African-American man becomes US university Professor, sets outstanding record

 Dr. Sydney Freeman, a 36-year-old African-American, has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first black male to attain the rank of a full professor at the University of Idaho in the United States. Dr. Freeman's remarkable journey has been marked by an accelerated rise to full professorship in just 5 years and 7 months, a feat typically requiring 10 to 12 years in academia.

Dr. Freeman's academic journey began in 2011 when he obtained his first degree in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University in the United States. Subsequently, he was swiftly hired at Tuskegee University, where he served as a Director in the Teaching and Learning Center for over 3 years. Later, he joined the University of Idaho as an Associate Professor before recently achieving the esteemed position of Full Professor.

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In a recent announcement on his Twitter page, Dr. Freeman shared his elation and pride, stating, "Humbled to share that I will be the 1st African American (American Descendant of Slaves) man to be promoted to the rank of Full Professor at the University of Idaho, the state’s flagship research university."

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Dr. Freeman expressed his hope that the University of Idaho will make further investments in diversity and inclusion, aiming to hire more Black faculty members. He emphasized that one's source of origin should not limit their academic success and encouraged students to explore scholarship opportunities across the United States.

This historic achievement by Dr. Sydney Freeman follows in the footsteps of other distinguished black professors who have made similar breakthroughs in academia. Notable examples include Dr. Wudneh Admassu, an Ethiopian native who became the first person of African descent to attain full professor rank at the university, and Professor Shaakirrah Sanders, the first and only Black woman to achieve the rank of Full Professor in 2019.