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of New York at Plattsburgh, it seemed timely to ask him to comment on his successes thus far in his career and how they relate to his experience at the University of Georgia.

Q: Having made the cultural adjustment from Africa to Georgia and elsewhere, how do you find upstate New York and the SUNY system?
A: I am enjoying my current position with SUNY in great part because of lessons learned in my days as Teaching Assistant at The University of Georgia.  I have in my two years in the North Country discovered many of the things that make one's adjustment to a new area and institution a bit easier: a very supportive department, a favorable location, and the personal drive to contribute.  Last Spring, I took students to Montreal for a day-visit with writers and the current president of the CIEF.  For National French Week, last November, working with the Center for the Study of Canada, I took students to Quebec City for a three-day activity-filled visit.  This past Fall, I also helped organize an Interdisciplinary Symposium "Africa and Latin-America: Forging New Identities through Film, Literature and Music."  In mid-December, I interviewed two Francophone writers in Ottawa and Montreal.  Striking a balance between excellence in teaching, research, and service in my current position has been made a bit easier because of the opportunities UGA provided me.  The SUNY system recognizes the pressures placed on junior faculty and the Office of the Provost at SUNY-Plattsburgh has been very supportive in assisting with research grants.  For instance, I have been given a state-wide grant, which allows me a pre-tenure sabbatical leave in Spring 2003 for the purpose of travel-research and publication.

Q: We're very proud of your achievements.  Could you tell us what you consider to be your most noteworthy accomplishments in your academic career?
A: I find it difficult to single out one or a few things as my most noteworthy accomplishments in my academic career.  First because of my upbringing (no one should ever sing their own praises), and second because I am only at the very beginning of my career in academe.  If I should transgress the rule though, I would say that I am most proud of my ability to connect with students inside and outside the classroom, to maintain an active publication and conference agenda, to find within the various circles of Francophone writers and scholars a certain sense of connection.

Q: Were there good experiences at UGA that you feel have contributed to your success in your career thus far?
A mooré proverb states that when a goat gets to eat shea-nuts it should be thankful to the wind that brought them down. I start with this piece of popular wisdom to remind myself of my roots (Burkinabè and Georgian) and to pay tribute to the wonderful people who made my adjustment, both academic and social, a dynamic experience. Without naming everyone, I am particularly grateful to Professor John Dowling, former Dean of the Graduate School who recruited me, Professor Emeritus Darl Snyder and Professor Gabriel Wilner whose presence on campus made my decision to leap in the unknown much easier. Once on campus, the Department of Romance Languages provided me with the stuff of which academic sustenance is made.  From Medieval Literature to Caribbean Francophone Literature, and everything in between, the professors and students provided an academically challenging and stimulating regimen.  Being associated in the organization of various departmental activities such as conferences and teaching orientation helped me get a better preparation for my current position.  Beyond the department, the African Students Union and the support system for International students helped my adjustment the most. I cannot overstate the importance of my experience as a graduate student in the making of the teacher I am now.  At Georgia, I learned quite quickly of the expectations: good teaching, good research skills, active participation in the profession through conferences and seminars.  Beyond the requirements, there was a system, which allowed for the attainment of those goals: training and supervision of Graduate Teaching Assistants, opportunities for a Research Assistantship, and a considerable travel budget for students in the M.A and Ph.D. programs. I benefited from all these opportunities and in the process learned to balance my time and interests while reaching the all-important milestone of publishing in professional journals.  There is also a certain sense, a certain set even, of expectations between individual academic advisors and their students, the Head of the Department and all students in the program, which promoted higher performance and which in my case continues in many ways to fuel my drive.  The interviewing seminars organized by Dr. Alvarez and other faculty members were also very helpful.  For all this I am grateful to the Department.   

Q: What are your plans and aspirations for the future?
A: By the end of 2002 I will have published half a dozen articles in the last three years.  I plan to complete two books by the end of 2003.  I also hope to collaborate in translating the poetry and short stories of a Burkinabè writer into English.  This should keep me busy while I sort out what other plans I may want to consider for the future. 

Q: What advice could you give our graduate students who are starting out or just looking for their first job?
Find what most inspires you and if possible surround yourself with supportive yet challenging people, but equally do not ignore your critics.  They all contribute in helping find your inner self.  Keep a very positive attitude and focus on the task on hand.