Bloomfield College McNair Alumna Dr. Kiamsha Bynes Begins Tenure-Track Faculty Position at San José State University

Bloomfield College of Montclair State University proudly congratulates McNair alumna Dr. Kiamsha Bynes on beginning her tenure-track appointment as Assistant Professor in the Department of African American Studies at San José State University in California this Fall 2026.

Dr. Bynes participated in the McNair Scholars Program as an undergraduate at Bloomfield College, where she conducted research and prepared for graduate study. As a Bloomfield College McNair Scholar, she was selected as a 2018 Schomburg-Mellon Humanities Summer Institute Fellow, an opportunity that further supported her academic and scholarly development.

Dr. Bynes went on to earn her Ph.D. in History from Rutgers University–New Brunswick, continuing her commitment to scholarship and higher education.

As a McNair alumna, Dr. Bynes has remained engaged with the program and its scholars. In Spring 2026, she participated as a panelist during the BCMSU Virtual McNair Alumni Panel, sharing her experiences and insights with current students. She previously served as a panelist during the 6th Annual NY/NJ Metro McNair Conference at Kean University in Spring 2023.

Dr. Bynes’ journey from Bloomfield College McNair Scholar to tenure-track faculty member reflects the transformative impact of undergraduate research, mentorship, and preparation for graduate education. Her accomplishments serve as an inspiration to current McNair Scholars and demonstrate the many possibilities that can emerge from a strong foundation in higher education.