Arwin D. Smallwood

Dr. Arwin D. Smallwood serves as the dean of the College of Arts Social Sciences and Humanities at North Carolina Central University (NCCU). Previously, he was a professor and chair of the Department of History and Political Science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, where he also served as interim vice provost for Undergraduate Education.

Dr. Smallwood earned his B.A. in Political Science in 1988 and his M.A. in History in 1990 from North Carolina Central University. He completed his Ph.D. in early American, Native and African-American history from the Ohio State University in 1997.

His research focuses on the complex intersections of early American history, particularly examining relationships between Native Americans and African Americans from colonial times through the 19th century. Dr. Smallwood has pioneered the use of GIS mapping technology to visualize historical communities, leading significant projects on Indian Woods in Bertie County and the Tuscarora Diaspora. His scholarly work bridges traditional archival research with innovative digital humanities approaches, creating accessible educational resources for K-12 and university students.

Dr. Smallwood's publications demonstrate a consistent focus on recovering marginalized histories, particularly those of African American and Native American communities in the American South. His work spans monographs, scholarly articles, archival collections, and multimedia projects that collectively illuminate the complex racial and cultural dynamics of early America.

His notable awards include:

• Governor James E. Holshouser, Jr. Award for Excellence in Public Service
• American Philosophical Society's Library Resident Research Fellowship
• American Philosophical Society's Franklin Research Grant
• Regional Emmy Award for the documentary 'Birth of a Colony: North Carolina'

Dr. Smallwood actively serves the academic community through leadership positions, including membership on the Board of Directors for the Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, the Advisory Board for the North Carolina Historical Markers Commission, and the Scholars Advisory Board for the Gilder Lehrman Institute. He previously served as president of the Historical Society of North Carolina and maintains memberships in the American Historical Association, Southern Historical Association, and Association for the Study of African-American Life and History.

His leadership extends to major research initiatives including the Indian Woods GIS Mapping Research Project and the Tuscarora GIS Mapping Research Project, which create interactive educational resources documenting over 400 years of history involving African Americans, Native Americans, and Europeans in North Carolina.