
Informal Settlements
Globalization and technology have boosted Thomas Friedman's "Flat World" into what I have coined
"The New Frontier."
-Dr. Angela R. Pashayan
RESEARCH & CONSULTING:
The world is evolving, hold onto your hats! The latest evolution began with the 2008 Great Recession and continued with the "Occupy" movements. The 2016 US elections pushed global society further into populism, and the COVID-19 Pandemic tested individualism and loneliness. In 2019, Greta Thronburg awakened the need for further evolution on climate change, as did Black Lives Matter in 2020 on race. 2021 and 2022 brought coups and civil war in several countries, inclusive of full out war between Russia and Ukraine. Considering foreign policy and trade of vital commodities, Russia, Africa, Europe, China, and the US are constantly part of the discourse between liberals and conservatives. These rocky past 15 years have shuttered some industries and catapulted others. Like dinosaurs going extinct, what we thought would be with us forever may Not Be Needed in our future;
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gas operated vehicles - replaced with electric cars, scooters, better public transportation
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paper money and coinage - replaced with e-wallets
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credit and debit cards - replaced with biologics
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teachers - replaced with pre-recorded videos and online classes
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jobs with repetitive work - replaced with AI
CURRICULUM VITAE:
Professor Angela R. Pashayan, Ph.D.
American University - Washington, DC
Adjunct: Howard University and London School of Economics
Political Science/International Development
Areas of Specialization: Informal Settlements
Dissertation:
A Different Approach to Extreme Poverty Reduction
A comparative analysis between development professionals and residents of the Mukuru slum in Nairobi, Kenya regarding how best to reduce extreme poverty. New theory introduced based on framework of Paolo Freire.
Committee Members:
Dr. Richard Seltzer (Chair), Dr. John Cotman, Dr. Jarpa Dawuni, Dr. Eleanor King,
Dr. Walter Hill, with
Support From: John Simon - Former Ambassador to the African Union, Susan Fine - Former Deputy Administrator of USAID, Patrick Fine - Former CEO of FHi360.
UN Speech February 2022
Other Education:
MA International Relations & Diplomacy, Honors Graduate (2014)
International Relations & Diplomacy. Norwich University, Burlington, VT
Areas of Specialization: International Commerce and Cross-cultural Relations
BA Psychology, Department of Social Sciences
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Los Angeles, California
BA Abroad, American-International Institute at Richmond University. London, England
Degree conferred through UCLA
Fellowship Awards and Honors:
2022 Pi Sigma Alpha Honor Society, Top 5% of PhD class
2022 UN Special Consultative Status, ECOSOC
2021 The Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, Writing Fellow $7500
2020 Foreign Language & Area Studies Fellow (FLAS), Howard University $5500
2019 Just-Julian Research Fellow, Howard University $60,000
2018 StartingBloc, USC Marshall School of Business & Social Entrepreneurship $2500
2018 Global Peoples Fellow, UN General Assembly International Forum
2016 NAACP Meritorious Women, Los Angeles Chapter
2014 V.P., Sigma Iota Rho International Affairs Academic Scholars, Norwich University
2014 Leadership Summit, Norwich University
Research Grant:
2022 Women Forward International, Academic/NGO collaborative, interdisciplinary research on gender empowerment internationally, $15,000
2020 The Knight Foundation, Howard University team under Dr. Middlemass $250,000
Black and Urban Digital Protections and Democratic Knowledge in Washington, DC
PUBLICATIONS/ SCHOLARLY AND ARTISTIC WORK:
Books
Below the Proletariat; poverty reduction in the informal settlements of Nairobi (publish date January 2023 - Vernon Press).
Settling the Informal Settlements (manuscript in progress - Vernon Press).
Stories of a Bhakti Yogi, ISBN 9781625635075, Publication Date; May, 2014, Tate Publishing, UK.
Living a Bhakti Life, ISBN 9781475970357, Publication Date; January, 2013, iUniverse Publishing, IN.
Research & Opinion Articles
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2021-22 October. The Bulletin of Atomic Scientist, Disruptive Technologies. An online pandemic: disinformation targeted at Black communities. doi: https://thebulletin.org/2021/10/an-online-pandemic-disinformation-targeted-at-black-communities/
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2021-22 September-December. The Minotaur Group, Geopolitical Think Tank, 20 articles.
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2021 October 28. TV appearance: BNC.TV. Mis/Disinformation targeted at communities of color. https://fb.watch/8_n7kJcjgk/
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2021 May Newsletter. Black Professionals in International Affairs (BPIA)
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2021 April-June. “The Influence of Nationalism on PanAfricanism.” Journal of African Studies and Development. Vol.13(2): 43-46, ISSN 2141-2189. doi: https://doi.org/10.5897/JASD2019.0544
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2021 June 15. Center for African Studies, Howard University. Howard in Africa Map, Research Interactive Map. https://cfas.howard.edu/resources/howard-africa-map
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2021 April 16. Department of State, Feed the Future Initiative - Agri-Links. https://www.agrilinks.org/post/integrating-persons-disabilities-rwanda-mission-success-story
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2021 March 4. Department of State, Feed the Future Initiative - Agri-Links. Int'l Women's Day - Celebrating Women of the Informal Settlements in Nairobi Kenya
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2021 Feb.1. Foreign Policy Magazine. https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/02/01/propaganda-russia-trump-misinformation-capitol-riot/
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2021 Sept. 10. Telluride Magazine. https://telluridemagazine.com/being-black-in-telluride/
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2020 June 20. Foreign Policy Magazine. https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/06/20/trump-antifa-terrorist-organization-kkk-white-supremacy/
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2020 May 27. Lobo, Pedro.“Unraveling the ‘African Silicon Valley’ in Kenya.” Sao Paulo:Brazil. Laboratori, Journalismo Junior. Retrieved at http://jornalismojunior.com.br/desvendando-o-vale-do-silicio-africano-no-quenia/
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2020 April 15. “Human Development, Local Specificities and Foreign Aid; Development in the New Frontier (post COVID-19).” 2020 International Science Council and UNDP Global discussion on re-articulating Human Development. https://council.science/human-development/latest-contributions/
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2020 Feb. 27-28. Global Academic Research Institute, Pretoria, South Africa. International Conference on African Studies “Politics and livelihoods in the slums of Kenya; a case study on perspectives of development professionals.”
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2020 April 16-19. Mid-Western Political Science Association, Chicago.“Politics and International Development in African slums; effectiveness in Nairobi.”
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2019 July. “The Participatory Structures of Poverty in Africa,” International NGO Journal. 14, no. 5 (July 2019): 47-51, https://doi.org/10.5897/INGOJ2019.0338 915 views/399 downloads
Working Papers
“Inclusive Community-led Development in the Informal Settlements.” For submission to African Studies Review or Journal of African Affairs
“Social Justice during the Civil Rights Movement: Leadership in Jackson, Mississippi.” In progress.
Book Chapters Published
Pashayan, Angela R. 2021. “ICT in Africa,” in Introduction to Contemporary Africa, by Anita Plummer and Msia Kibona-Clark. Howard University African Studies 101, Kendall Hunt Publishing Company.
Conference Presentations:
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2022 “Disinformation, Racism, and Psychological Justification: An American Security Issue.” International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP), Athens, Greece. July 13-16. Paper Presentation.
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2022 “Attitudes and Opinions on Aid and Poverty Reduction; Mukuru Slum - Nairobi, Kenya.” American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR). Chicago, IL. May 11-13. Paper Presentation.
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2022 “Race, Disinformation and the Psychology of Justification.” Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference (MPSA). Chicago, IL. April 7-10. Paper Presentation
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2022 “Security in the New Frontier: Race, Disinformation and the Psychology of Justification.” Southern Political Science Association Annual Conference (SPSA). San Antonio, TX. January 12-15. Paper Presentation.
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2021 “Rethinking Democracy: A Global Agenda for Democratic Renewal.” Club de Madrid International Annual Policy Dialog. Washington, DC. October 18-20. Think-Piece Presentation.
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2021 “Mis/Disinformation & Black Communities in Washington, DC.” Cathy Hughes School of Communication, Howard University. Washington, DC. September 30-October 1. Research Brief Presentation.
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2021 “Politics, Psychology and International Development in African Slums; effectiveness in Nairobi, Kenya” International Society of Political Psychology (ISPP). Montreal, Canada. July 15-17. Paper Presentation.
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2021 “Politics and International Development in African Slums pre and post COVID-19: Nairobi, Kenya.” International Studies Association (ISA), West Coast Annual Conference, Las Vegas, NV. April 6-9. Paper Presentation.
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2021 “Inclusive Development in the Informal Settlements; extreme poverty program analysis.” Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), Chicago, IL. April 14-18. Paper Presentation.
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2020 “Politics and International Development in African Slums pre and post COVID-19: Nairobi, Kenya.” International Studies Association (ISA), Midwest Annual Conference, St. Louis, MO, Nov 20-23. Paper Presentation.
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2020 “The Role of Critical Consciousness in Poverty Reduction.” British International Studies Association (BISA), Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK. June 17-19. Paper Presentation.
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2020 “Politics and livelihoods in the slums of Kenya; a case study on perspectives of development professionals.” Global Academic Research Institute (GARI), Pan-African Conference, The Gambia. May 25-26. Paper Presentation.
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2020 “Mukuru slum dwellers in Nairobi, Kenya; on poverty, development, and self- reliance.” National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS), Atlanta., GA. March 11-15. Paper Presentation.
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2020 “Livelihoods in the slums of Kenya; a case study on perspectives of experts and slum dwellers.” Global Academic Research Institute (GARI), Pretoria, South Africa. February 27-28. Paper Presentation.
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2019 “Thomas Friedman’s Flat World; Populism & Privilege.” American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Conference, Washington, DC Aug. 28-31. Interactive Digital Poster Presentation.
Roundtables/Panels/Discussant/Chair:
2022 APSA Annual Conference, September 15-18
Chair: Committee on the Status of Graduate Students Annual Meeting & Roundtable
Chair: Roundtable Discussion on “Alternative Paths for Academics.”
Lightning Talk: 21st Century Cities in Africa: Resistance, Reform & Renewal.
2022 MPSA Annual Conference, April 7-10
Discussant:Taxation, coercive Agents and Political Trust in Africa
2022 SPSA Annual Conference, January 12-15
Chair and Discussant: Digital Politics: Security, Diplomacy, and State Strategy.
2021 Howard University Communications Conference, September 30-October 1
Panelist: Mis/Disinformation 101 and the Targeting of Black Communities
2021 APSA two-year term as Chair: Committee on the Status of Graduate Students in the Profession. Fall 2021-Fall 2023
2021 APSA Annual Conference, September 30-October 3
Discussant: Lenses in White Nationalism and Political Violence in the U.S.
Chair and Discussant: Foundations of Political Theory
2021 ISA Annual Conference, April 6-9
Panelist: Race, Security & Development: Theoretical, Analytical & Political.
2021 MPSA Annual Conference, April 14-18
Chair: Elites, Geography, and Political Economy in Comparative Politics.
Discussant: Elites, Geography, and Political Economy in Comparative Politics.
Roundtable Teaching: How to use Simulations & Games
Roundtable Teaching: Experiential Learning in the Classroom
2020 ISA Midwest Annual Conference, November 20-23
Panelist: Graduate Student poster presentations
2020 BISA Annual Conference UK, June 17-19
Panelist:Ambitious Development
Invited Talks:
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2022 United Nations General Assembly 3rd Committee meeting with the Civil Society. Spoke as part of ECOSOC on the needs of slum dwellers in Africa’s informal settlements. February 16.
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2020 Progressive Women’s Caucus, Telluride, CO
“Black Lives in Telluride and Beyond.” September 12.
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2018 Atlantic Council, Ph.D. Top Student Deliberation, Washington, DC.
“Shaping the Principles of a New Global Order.” November 15.
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2016 GWU Elliot School for The Osgood Institute, Washington, DC.
“Politics, Nascent Kenya, Nascent World.” June 8.
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2014 Norwich University, Leadership Summit, Northfield, VT.
“Diplomacy and Utilizing Human Resources.” June 5.
Conference Attendance/Workshops:
2018-22 The Atlantic Festival, Washington, DC
2019-22 World Bank Spring Meetings, Washington, DC
2019 State of Africa Bi-Annual Conference & CSO Forum, Washington, DC
2019 World Bank Poverty Conference with GW University, Washington, DC
2019 AIDF Summit, Africa Development and Technology, Washington, DC
2019 African Political Conference Group, APSA Chapter, Washington, DC
2019 Center for Strategic International Studies (CSIS) Global Development Forum with Tony Blair, USAID, and Rockefeller Foundation. Washington, DC
2019 SANKALP for Development and Social Entrepreneurship. Nairobi, Kenya
2019 AIDF Summit with USAID, UN Habitat, and the International Organization for Migration. Nairobi, Kenya
2018 Wilson Center African Program on The Role of the Business Sector in Peace-building in Africa with the World Trade Organization (WTO), Washington, DC
2018 Wilson Center Africa Program on UN Sustainable Development Goals in Africa with Ambassador Tibor Nagy, Washington, DC
Service:
2022-24 Volunteer to the UN, Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)
2022 Volunteer for ONE, Bono’s Campaign Against Extreme Poverty
2022 Service to the academy as APSA Chair, Committee on the status of Graduate Students in the Profession, 3yr term
2022 Mentor for undergraduates, Black Professionals in International Affairs
2022 Service to the academy as AAPOR, Inclusion & Equity Committee Member
2021 Service to the academy as symposium contributor to Political Science Journal
2021 Service to the academy as Peer Reviewer for World Affairs Sage Publication and AcademicJournals.org
2020 Departmental Speaker at Howard University Graduate Recruitment Session
2020 University Volunteer for Howard University Research Week
2020 Community Volunteer Census Enumerator for the Homeless in Washington, DC
2020 Service to the academy as Peer Reviewer for AcademicJournals.org
2019 Service to the academy as Peer Reviewer for International NGO Journal
2019 Departmental Volunteer for Howard University African Women’s Day
2015 Service to the academy as V.P. Sigma Iota Rho International Affairs Scholars
Service At Large
2021 Clinton Foundation Global Initiative/Howard University Service Day
2021 Congressional Candidate Campaign Strategist for Don Valdez (D-CO) District 3
2018 Congressional Candidate Campaign Strategist for Don Valdez (D-CO) District 3
2018 Jimmy Carter Habitat for Humanity, Home framing, Montrose, CO. Summer.
2017 Telluride Parks and Recreation Board, Telluride, CO
2015 Hillary Clinton Presidential Campaign Office Manager District 3-CO
2016-22 Town of Mountain Village, CO Ethics Board
2012-21 Non-profit projects; India, Africa, Peru, Australia, Indonesia, Middle East, Nepal
Teaching Experience:
Full-time Faculty Professorial Lecturer
American University - School of International Service, 2022 to present
Full-time, three course-load, and service to the academic cannon
Adjunct Professorial Lecturer
Howard University - Political Science Dept, 2023 to present
Gender and Development
Lecturing Professor
London School of Economics - London, England, 2022
World Economy from the Industrial Revolution to the Present
Academic Dean of Faculty, Summer Program
Johns Hopkins Center for Talented Youth - Baltimore, MD, Summer 2022
Term 1 and 2, leading faculty to teach students who test four grades above their age.
Lecturing Professor
California State University Northridge - Northridge, CA, Spring 2022
Department of Political Science, Experiential Programs-DC
https://www.csun.edu/social-behavioral-sciences/political-science/dc-internship
Independent Instructor
African-American Literature, Culture, and Politics.
Ridgway High School, Ridgway, CO, Guest Session, Spring 2021
Political Science and International Relations Theory. COVID-19 CANCELLED
Johns Hopkins Summer Teaching, Skidmore University Campus, Summer 2020
Poverty Reduction, Experiential Classroom. Private trips to Nairobi, Kenya
2013, 2014, 2015, 2019, 2022
Faculty Instructor
Telluride Ah Haa School of the Arts, Telluride, CO
Cross-Cultural Relations and Art. 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018.
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
San Francisco, CA & Los Angeles, CA Campuses
Marketing, Fall, Winter, Spring 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Merchandising, Fall, Winter, Spring 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
International Sourcing, Fall, Winter, Spring 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
International Trends, Fall, Winter, Spring 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Global History of Fashion, Fall, Winter, Spring 2010, 2011, 2012
PR/Event Planning, Fall, Winter, Spring 2009, 2010
Other:
Certificate - Teaching and Learning Conference, APSA 2019
Certificate - Howard University Preparing Future Faculty Summit, May 2019
Certificate - American Institute for Research, Pipeline Partnership Program
Cultural Linguistics in Survey Design 2021
Related Professional Experience:
Research Consultant: Joy Reid, MSNBC Journalist. Washington, DC (present).
Research and writing for book, “The life of Medgar Evers, Civil Rights Leader.” Weekly meetings with Joy Reid. Uncovered six civil rights activist still living who were neighbors or worked with Evers. Arranged interview and traveled with Joy Reid to assist documentation.
Research Consultant: Congressional Black Caucus State Legislators and HU Walters Center for Public Policy. Washington, DC
Work with a team of three to launch a Policy Institute. Creation of the institute’s organizational structure and six research centers to specialize in policy areas where model legislation and research will be made available for the advancement of communities of color.
Howard University Lead Research Assistant (RA) - Knight Foundation (present)
Washington, DC
Oversee a team of eight RA’s including training for fieldwork; interviews, surveys and focus groups. Project is to research dis and mis information in the Black Community of Washington, DC surrounding the 2016 elections and the 2020 pandemic.
Program & Policy Analyst - USAID
Washington, DC
Research & Policy analysis in coordination with ADS Ch. 205 and 201 for inclusive development and gender initiatives. Collaboration on presentations with Division Chief of the Bureau for Resilience and Food Security (RFS) to achieve State Department Global Food Security objectives. Analysis of World Bank & field data+industry trends for the bureau.
Independent Geopolitical Writer - The Minotaur Group, Think Tank
Washington, DC
Analysis of critical global issues for clients and global stakeholders in private sector business and government. Production of two articles per month to provide salient information on current events.
International Political Policy Analyst, Africa & African Union (2019)
USAU Embassy, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia - Washington, DC
Remote operating unit of the US Mission to the African Union (USAU). Provided research and wrote briefs on issues for diplomatic presentations.
Editor and Analysts, Total Impact Capital (2019 part-time)
Bethesda, MD
Research, grant editing , and analytical contribution in the review of multi-lateral impact investments in Africa and Central America. Worked under the direction of former Ambassador to the African Union, John Simon.
Exec. Director of Programs, YODinternational.org (consultant)
Nairobi, Kenya
Development of poverty reduction for Nairobi’s Informal Settlements. Programs include Agriculture, Art, and Entrepreneurship focused in the Mukuru slum.
Exec. Dir. Cross-Cultural Event - MainStage Productions (consultant)
Dubai and Abu Dhabi, UAE / Bahrain - 2012, 2013, 2014, 2019
Production of a multi-day program on wellness and Cross-Cultural dialog. International speakers from 19 countries.
Producer - Documentary, Nairobi, Kenya
Mukuru Art Boyz Screened at:
UN Association Film Festival - Stanford University 2018
Beverly Hills Film Festival, Beverly Hills, CA 2018
Richmond International Film Fest, Richmond, VA 2019
London Independent Film Fest “Best Documentary” 2019
The African Film Festival, Dallas, TX “Best upcoming Filmmaker” 2020
The Garden Route Int’l Film Festival, South Africa “Best Documentary” 2020
The Los Angeles Lift-off Film Festival 2020
The Amsterdam Lift-off Film Festival 2020
Mukuru Mosaics Screened at:
Dubai International Film Festival, Dubai, UAE 2021
World-Fest Houston International Film Festival “Finalist” 2021
The African Film Festival, Dallas, TX 2021
Venice Shorts, Venice Beach, CA 2021
Tokyo Shorts, Tokyo, Japan 2021
Professional Affiliations:
Black Professionals in International Affairs
Women in Foreign Policy Group
American Political Science Association
International Studies Association
International Society of Political Psychology
UN Association of America
World Affairs Council
Technical Skills:
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Learning Management: Blackboard and Canvas online teaching,
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Video Conferencing: Zoom, Google Meets, Teams, WebEx, Skype
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Web-building Platforms: Wix, WordPress, Homestead
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Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram
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Mac and PC/MS Office Suite, G Suite, Excel, Powerpoint
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Research: SPSS
Awards:
2021/2022 - AAPOR Committee Member, EIC
2021/2023 - Chair APSA Committee on the status of PhD Students in the profession
2018/2020 - Documentary Short on Mukuru Slum Dwellers in Nairobi
2016 - NAACP Meritorious Women of 2016 / Los Angeles Chapter
2015 - Vice President of SIR Academic Scholars, Norwich University, VT
2014 - Leadership Summit + Honors Graduate, Norwich University
2010 - The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Best Program Nationwide
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