Rita Kiki Edozie’s career has come a long way in more than one sense.
“I originate from Nigeria in western Africa where I spent much of my young adult life,” said Edozie, MSU’s director of African American and African Studies. “I came to the U.S. as a graduate student, and my first point of immigration was New York City.”
While Edozie pursued her Ph.D. at the New School for Social Research in New York, she fell in love with the possibilities higher education had to offer. After spending time at Columbia University and the University of Delaware, she found a home at Michigan State.
“I was flown in for a job interview, and I discovered this wonderful African presence at MSU,” Edozie said. “MSU had a clear mission to help Africa in the African Studies Center.”
Edozie’s research on the political and economic development of Africa earned her the position of Director of African American and African Studies. She is proud of her position and the opportunity she has to contribute to the society she was raised in.
“This institution collectively represents 55 African countries. That’s where my passion comes from,” Edozie said. “It would be African people who would be the best voices to improve a growing society, and that’s why it’s my responsibility to give back.”