Alfreda James - Senior Staff Associate 

Ms. James is the authority on internships done for credit. She is an advisor who interacts with both employers and faculty to size up internships and the experiences they might offer Stony Brook University students. Her expertise involves creating opportunities for valuable experiences for undergraduates and assisting graduate students prepare for professional careers.

Professional/Personal Background:
Ms. James is a native of Norfolk, Virginia. She now lives in East Setauket, New York. A self-described "news junkie," Ms. James considered becoming a journalist and volunteered at her college's radio station, WCWM, in Williamsburg, Virginia. After graduating with a degree in history from the College of William and Mary, Ms. James joined the staff of a weekly newspaper that served the African American community, The Journal and Guide. She also had a part-time job as a news stringer for a radio station. After two years of writing and interviewing local politicians, she opted to change careers and she re-entered higher education. But this time she joined the admissions staff at her alma mater and eventually earned a master's degree in higher education administration. Ms. James moved to New York in the 1988 and joined the staff of Stony Brook's Educational Opportunity Program. Since coming to S.B.U. and Long Island, Ms. James has managed budgets, run programs, and advised students. She also continued her education by completing a second master's degree which is in American History. Ms. James recently defended her dissertation in American History, Subversive Traditions: Free Women of Color in Abolition.

Oddest Job:
" I had a summer job selling burial plots for a mausoleum. I also had a job where I was required to listen to radio advertisements four hours each day. An advertising company wanted me to monitor the air time and frequency of certain ads."

Achievement:
"High achievement does not guarantee emotional stability, happiness or self satisfaction. I believe that real achievement includes spiritual, intellectual, and material goals"

Off The Record:
"Don't be a stick in the mud by having rigid expectations of yourselves or others. I have people come into my office and limit their visions by saying by saying, "I only want X" or "I must get married and have a high paying job by age 25." I recommend that students aim for substance over media-driven images about success and happiness. Be flexible.

Conact Alfreda:
Alfreda.James@stonybrook.edu