معرفی
Kodjo Adabra is a Professor of Francophone Studies in the Department of Global Languages and Cultures at the State University of New York at Geneseo. He was promoted to Full Professor in August 2024 and holds the James & Julia Lockhart Endowed Professorship. Dr. Adabra has been a member of the Geneseo faculty since 2010 and serves as the Campus Director of the Summer Program in Senegal and Vice-Chair of the College Senate.
Dr. Adabra's educational background includes:
- Ph.D. in Francophone Literatures from the University of Tennessee
- M.A. in French Studies from North Carolina State University
- M.S. in Management from Université de Lomé, Togo
- B.S. in Management from Université de Lomé, Togo
Dr. Adabra's research focuses on sub-Saharan Francophone African literature from Post-colonial Africa, with particular emphasis on diasporic literature, literary transnationalism, migration, identity and exile. He has extensively studied the journalistic work in PNPA (Peuples Noirs Peuples Africains) by Franco-Cameroonian author Alexandre Biyidi-Awala, alias Mongo Beti. His secondary research interests include African cinema, nego-feminism, and sociolinguistics. He has authored four books: a monograph and two novels in French, and a memoir in English.
Dr. Adabra has received numerous prestigious awards for his teaching and service, including:
- SUNY Chancellor's Award for Excellence in Teaching (2020)
- SUNY Chancellor's Award for Internationalization (CAFI) (2011)
- AAC Professor Recognition Award by Geneseo Student Association (2024)
- James & Julia Lockhart Endowed Professorship (2022)
- Roemer Summer Faculty Fellowship (2021)
- JV Educational Leadership Award (2020)
As an active mentor, Dr. Adabra has been recognized multiple times as 'most influential professor' by student-athletes. He created and directs a 4-week faculty-led summer study abroad program in Senegal where students take his West Francophone African civilization course, conduct field research, practice French, learn Wolof basics, and participate in cultural events. His service to the college includes serving as Chair of the Department of Languages & Literatures (2019-2021), Interim Chair of the Department of Global Languages & Cultures (2023), and currently as Vice-Chair of the College Senate Executive Committee.
Dr. Adabra is an active member of several professional organizations including the African Literature Association (ALA), Conseil International d'Etudes Francophones (CIEF), American Association of Teachers of French (AATF), and Northeast Modern Language Association (NeMLA). He also serves as the elected CUR Representative in the Arts and Humanities Division.
