Paul Tiyambe Zeleza

Paul Tiyambe Zeleza is a Senior Advisor for Strategic Initiatives and Professor of African Studies at Howard University. He holds additional roles in academia and administration, including Honorary Professorships at the University of Cape Town (since 2006) and Nelson Mandela University (since 2019). With a career spanning multiple institutions, he has contributed to higher education leadership, research, and policy across Africa and the U.S. His academic journey includes degrees from the University of Malawi, University of London, and Dalhousie University.

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree (distinction), University of Malawi
• Master’s, University of London
• PhD, Dalhousie University

Research interests focus on interdisciplinary studies encompassing African economic history, diaspora dynamics, gender, and cultural analysis. His work bridges historical and contemporary global educational systems, with publications spanning over 400 articles and 28 books. Notable recent projects include Re-envisioning African and American Universities (2024) and The Chronicles of African University Leaders (2024).

Awards and Recognition:

• Thabo Mbeki Leadership Award (2018)
• W.E.B. Dubois Fellowship (2022)
• Harvard University fellowship (2015)

Grants and Leadership: Spearheaded a $63.2M Mastercard Foundation grant for USIU’s African scholarship program. Holds leadership roles in global education organizations, including the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program and the International Association of Universities.