Blessing Diala-Ogamba

Blessing Diala-Ogamba is a Professor of English and Chair of the Department of Humanities at Coppin State University, Baltimore, Maryland. Her research focuses on gender and women’s issues, World Literature, cultural studies, and immigration. She holds a PhD in English & Literature from the University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (1995) and has extensive academic leadership roles, including serving on the Board of the Episcopal Refugee & Immigrant Center Alliance (ERICA) and the Commission on Ministry for the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland.

Education:

• PhD in English & Literature, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (1995)
• M. ED in Secondary Education, Worcester State College, Massachusetts (2001)
• M. PHIL in English & Literature, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria (1990)
• M.A. in English, University of Calabar, Nigeria (1985)
• B.A. (HON) in English/Education, University of Calabar, Nigeria (1984)
• N.C.E. (National Certificate in Education), Nigeria (1980)

Research Interests: Dr. Diala-Ogamba’s work explores intersections of gender, migration, and cultural identity in literature. She analyzes narratives of resistance in African literature, trauma in postcolonial contexts, and the portrayal of women in works by authors like Chimamanda Adichie and Nuruddin Farah. Her interdisciplinary approach bridges African, Caribbean, and Middle Eastern literatures.

Awards:

• Multi-year Mini-Grant awards for research (2009–2016)
• Sloan-C Certificate in Online Pedagogy (2013)
• Quality Matters Certification (2007–2014)

Professional Activities: Member of African Studies Association, African Literature Association, and Langston Hughes Society. She also chairs the Women’s Caucus of the African Literature Association (WOCALA).

Labs/Teams: Engaged in collaborative research on migration narratives and digital humanities initiatives at Coppin State University.