Cassandra Rachel VeneyView profile
Professor
Cassandra Rachel Veney, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership at Howard University, affiliated with the College of Arts & Sciences. She has previously held leadership and faculty roles at Case Western Reserve University and the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, where she chaired the Department of International Relations. Education: Ph.D. in Political Science, University of Missouri-Columbia, 1995 M.A. in African Studies, Howard University, 1988 B.A. in Political Science, Syracuse University, 1982 Her research and teaching focus on African international relations, forced migration, gender and human rights, U.S.-Africa relations, and global development. She has authored and edited several influential books and contributed to academic journals and policy discussions. Her work emphasizes the role of African agency in international affairs, the impact of U.S. foreign policy in Africa, and the experiences of the African diaspora. Her recent publications cover a wide range of topics including U.S.-Africa diplomacy, post-conflict reconstruction in Africa, refugee crises, and transnational racial discourse. These works reflect a deep engagement with political economy, democratization, and human rights across the African continent and its global diaspora. Scientific Awards and Honors: Outstanding Professor Award, African Student Association, Illinois State University, 2003 Phi Sigma Alpha, Outstanding Teaching in Political Science Award, Illinois State University, 2000 Who’s Who of American Women, 2000-2001 College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Initiative Award, Illinois State University, 1999 Rotary International Group Study Exchange to India, January-February 1995 University of Missouri Dissertation Travel Grant, 1993 Dr. Veney has served on editorial boards such as African Studies Review and Journal of Asian and African Studies , and has been active in faculty governance, curriculum development, and mentorship. She has organized and presented at international conferences on refugee migration, U.S.-Africa relations, and gender in global politics. While her current role is administrative, her academic contributions remain central to the fields of African studies and international relations. She has also contributed to public discourse through multimedia appearances, including Voice of America and SpiceFM, discussing U.S. politics and global perspectives.









