Rita Offiaeli

Born and raised in Nigeria, Rita has a passion for the continent of Africa and its communities, wherever they may be found. As someone who lived in various parts of her home-country, she is fluent in three Nigerian languages: Igbo, Hausa, and Pidgin. She channeled her passion for culture and history into her pursuit of a Ph.D. in Anthropology at the University of Connecticut where she also earned Graduate Certificates in Women’s Studies and Human Rights.  

Rita’s vast experience in university administration includes over 10 years of mentoring students and spearheading administrative projects. Rita comes to us from Quinnipiac University, where she was an Assistant Director of Peer Education and managed a staff of over 100 academic mentors. Prior to Quinnipiac, her experiences include Academic Advising at Worcester State University, and teaching as adjunct faculty at the University of Connecticut, Manchester Community College, and Goodwin University. As she steps into this position at the Council on African Studies, she looks forward to bringing her knowledge and passion into her work within the Yale community.