Biography

Cassandra Rachel Veney, Ph.D. is an accomplished scholar and academic leader with extensive experience in international relations, political science, and gender studies. She currently serves as the Executive Director of the Center for Women, Gender, and Global Leadership at Howard University. Prior to this role, she held leadership positions at Case Western Reserve University and the United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, where she chaired the Department of International Relations.

Veney's research and teaching expertise encompass African international relations, forced migration, gender and human rights, and global development. She has authored and edited several books, including Forced Migration in Eastern Africa and U.S.-Africa Relations: From Clinton to Obama, and has contributed extensively to academic journals and policy discussions. Her career reflects a deep commitment to advancing scholarship on Africa and the African diaspora, as well as fostering global academic partnerships.

Veney has also played a significant role in academic service and leadership, contributing to faculty governance, curriculum development, and mentorship initiatives. She has been an active member of various editorial boards, including African Studies Review and Journal of Asian and African Studies, and has served on numerous academic committees focused on tenure and promotion, research evaluation, and diversity initiatives. Throughout her career, she has organized and participated in international conferences, delivering insightful presentations on issues such as refugee migration, U.S.-Africa relations, and gender dynamics in global politics. Her work continues to shape discussions on African political affairs and the experiences of the African diaspora, reinforcing her impact as a leading voice in international studies.