Ann Arbor, Mich. (August 7, 2025) – The African Studies Center (ASC) recently welcomed five early and mid-career scholars from universities in South Africa, Nigeria, and Rwanda to the Ann Arbor campus. They constitute the fall cohort of the University of Michigan African Presidential Scholars (UMAPS) Program and will remain in residence through the end of December. 

They will be followed by the winter cohort, comprising an additional 15 potential scholars from Nigeria, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Tanzania, Ethiopia, and South Africa. After many visa complications, the program is hosting the second-largest UMAPS cohort to date.

Established in 2009, UMAPS is the university’s flagship program for engagement with colleges and universities on the African continent.

Omolade Adunbi, ASC director and professor of Afroamerican and African studies, anthropology, and law, says:

The highly competitive program attracts applications from scholars in all disciplines working at universities and colleges across the continent. This fall's cohort includes:

Molebogeng Bodiba is a PhD student and lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa. Her research focuses on diabetic neuropathy and the possible ameliorative effects of indigenous African medicinal plants. She also composes and conducts choral music and plays several percussion instruments. At U-M, she plans to deepen her research and engage with interdisciplinary perspectives. U-M Faculty Host: Anuska Andjelkovic-Zochowska, Medical School, Department of Pathology and Neurosurgery

Charles Gafita is an assistant lecturer at the University of Rwanda. He brings experience in health and hospital management, curriculum development, and advocacy. At U-M, he plans to strengthen his expertise in evidence-based healthcare research and teaching. U-M Faculty Host: Andrew Jones, School of Public Health

Christian Kwisanga is a senior lecturer in physics at the University of Rwanda and holds a PhD in electronics engineering. He led the creation of Rwanda’s BSc in nuclear science and worked with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on nuclear education initiatives. At U-M, he will expand his research on nuclear science as a green energy alternative. U-M Faculty Host: Kim Kearfott (primary), Denia Djokic (secondary), College of Engineering

Alecia Ndlovu is a senior lecturer in political studies at the University of Cape Town. She specializes in mineral resource governance, political economy, and quantitative methods. At U-M, she will continue her research on mining accountability and development in Africa. U-M Faculty Host: Anne Pitcher and Omolade Adunbi, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

Folakemi Ogungbe is a faculty member in the Department of Film and Multimedia at Pan-Atlantic University, Nigeria. She holds a PhD in film studies and has served as media director, festival juror, and academic editor. At U-M, she will research sustainable creative economies in African cinema. U-M Faculty Host: Swapnil Rai, College of Literature, Science, and the Arts

Funding for the UMAPS  Program is provided by the U-M Office of the President, Office of the Provost, the South African Initiatives Office, College of Engineering, Center of Global Health Equity, Center for International Reproductive Health Training, and private donors. To learn more about the program, visit ii.umich.edu/asc/fellows/umaps.