May/June 2023

Dear Friends,

We hope this Princeton in Africa Fellows Flyer edition finds you well. 

We were happy to have joined Princeton University in celebrating the reunions in May. On May 26th, we hosted a joint event with Princeton in Africa Alumni and Princeton in Asia Alumni, and on May 27th, Princeton in Africa welcomed PiAf alumni, board members, and friends to our Post P-Rade Reception. Thank you to all that stopped by and visited the PiAf family. 

By the end of May, Princeton in Africa completed our Fellows placement process. The process began in December when staff, alumni, and board members reviewed more than 400 applications submitted to us by highly qualified and unique young professionals. We are honored to announce that we have placed 29 Fellows with 19 different host organizations in 10 countries. This will be a fully in-person fellowship year. This cohort of Fellows are all motivated, bright, and passionate individuals ready to begin working with their host organizations and living on the African continent. Please keep yourself updated on our Princeton in Africa Instagram, where we will soon welcome our new Fellows and wish our 2022-23 Fellows farewell on their post-fellowship journeys.

We witnessed the magic unfold during orientation as 29 passionate individuals came together to form a vibrant community. From the beginning, the energy and eagerness to connect set the tone for an unforgettable experience. We witnessed friendships blossoming, collaborations sparking, and a sense of belonging that truly embodies the spirit of the PiAf Fellows Program. The Nexus Fellows also joined us for the Princeton in Africa Orientation. Princeton in Africa Nexus pairs 5 Africa Fellows educated, and resident on the African continent with 5 North America Fellows educated at U.S. accredited institutions in the same fellowship host organizations on the African continent for a co-fellow exchange of skills, knowledge, leadership, and technical expertise. Our Nexus Organizations in 2023 include the IRC Kenya, IRC Somalia, African School of Economics, Emerging Leaders Foundation, and Mpala Research Centre. Please visit our website to learn more. 

Our Orientation Week for 2023-2024 Fellows was carefully crafted to provide the Fellows with essential resources, valuable insights, and opportunities. From the informative sessions on travel health & safety, program policies, work-specific skills sessions, identity sessions, and engaging team-building exercises, each moment aimed to equip Fellows with the tools and connections necessary to thrive as a PiAf Fellow. The panel discussions with our esteemed alumni were a true highlight. Their wisdom, personal experiences, and valuable advice resonated deeply with all of us. We hope their stories continue to inspire the Fellows on their journey, reminding them of the possibilities. We extend our heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated mentors, professors, and panelists who contributed to the success of Orientation Week.

PiAf held the hybrid orientation from June 8th -10th on Princeton’s campus. While the majority of attendees (24) were in
person, the five Nexus Fellows joined us from Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda and Sierra Leone. A few alumni joined us in person – Michael Scharff (2008-09 Fellow at IRC Uganda), Emma Anderson (2020-21 Fellow at IRC Somalia) and Oluseyi Segun (2014-15 Fellow at Gardens for Health, Rwanda). Many other alumni joined us virtually. We also had several board members facilitate orientation sessions. Frank Strasburger led an opening and closing session for the Fellows. Mahiri Mwita facilitated a discussion entitled “The Effects of Colonialization, Imperialism and PiAf’s Role in Change” and Donna Maywar led a discussion on “Navigating the Workplace”.  We were happy to have numerous board members join us for our board dinner at orientation, where they were able to meet and chat with the newest class of Fellows. We were thrilled to have Frank Strasburger, Jim Floyd, Nancy Kanach, Gilbert Collins and Rebecca Graves-Bayazitoglu join us for this event.

It was a great few days of forming connections and discussions about important topics, from identity to health and safety to thinking critically about how to responsibly engage on the continent. The 2023-24 Fellows were highly engaged, open and shared freely about their personal experiences, challenges they expect to face and goals they have for their fellowship year. They expressed strong gratitude to PiAf for this opportunity and are ready to work hard and make connections in their host communities and among each other.

Thank you to all of our guest speakers, alumni, and board members who joined this year’s orientation sessions. 

Alumni Volunteers

• Emma Anderson
• Dan Robinson
• Bailey Adams
• Jillian Randolph
• Adrienne Clermont
• Gracie Rosenbach
• Samantha Archie
• Cynthia Joseph
• Nishtha Yadav
• Vivian Ojo
• Max Sugarman
• Sami Ayele
• Haja Isatu
• Makeda Yohannes
• Joaquin Pannunzio
• Michael Scharff
• Nida Parks
• Jennifer Bryan
• Oluseyi Segun
• Wilo Muyoma

Board Members

• Mahiri Mwita
• Donna Maywar
• Gilbert Collins
• Rebecca Graves-Bayazitoglu
• Nancy Kanach
• James Floyd
• Frank Strasburger

Guest Facilitators

• Margot Popowycz
• Jaime Signoracci
• Anna Charles
• Dr. Kristi Monica

With many of our 2022-23 Fellows’ year-long placements ending, We wish our Fellows the best as they maintain their Fellowships’ momentum, seek growth opportunities and lean into the PiAf community for guidance and support. Congratulations to Nasya Blackwell, 22-23, who will be starting a Fulbright in Taiwan, Michael Rivera, 22-23, who will be starting an English Teaching Fulbright in Taiwan, and Jada Elder, 21-22, who will be starting a Fulbright in Mauritius.

Thank you for your continued support and engagement with Princeton in Africa. Remember to stay connected with us through our website, social media channels, and program email.

Warm regards,

Damilola and the PiAf team.

Please click below to check out pictures of our Fellows, Alums and other members of the PiAf family meeting up at home and around Africa.

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