Salome Wekisa Fouts

Salome Wekisa Fouts is a Senior Lecturer of Swahili and Director of African Languages at The Ohio State University's Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures (CLLC). She teaches multi-level Swahili language and culture courses, and previously instructed African Literature and Contemporary Black Drama in the Department of African American and African Studies. Her roles include directing the Global May Uganda study abroad program and advocating for educational resource access in Ugandan communities.

Education

• B.A. in French, The College of Wooster (1989)
• M.A. in French, Miami University (1992)
• Ph.D. in French and Italian with focus on Francophone African theater, The Ohio State University (2006)

Her research emphasizes integrating indigenous oral performance forms into language pedagogy, Swahili cultural studies, and Uganda's socio-economic development challenges. She actively promotes global citizenship through education and cross-cultural exchange.

Awards

• 2018 Provost's Award for Distinguished Teaching by a Lecturer

Dr. Fouts leads community initiatives in her Ugandan village of Bujuuko to enhance elementary education and advocates for sustainable development. Her professional engagements bridge academia, global outreach, and grassroots education reform.