K-12 Education Outreach
About the K-12 Education Program
Contact Us
Center for African Studies Outreach Program
230 S Bouquet St, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
412-383-4289
4137 Posvar Hall
Email AfricanStudies@pitt.edu to find out more and schedule a visit from us!
Staff
The K-12 Education Program is led by Dr. Susan Ngbabare, a South Sudanese educational researcher and advocate for access and equity in education for migrant, refugee, and international students. Contact: smn63@pitt.edu.
The program also employs University of Pittsburgh graduate and undergraduate students, as well as Fulbright Language Teaching Assistants (FLTAs), who are vital members of our team. We’re pleased that Diana Waruguru (GSA, ’26) will continue with us through 2025–26, and we warmly welcome Joseph Higgins, our new FLTA—both joining us from Kenya.
The University Center for International Studies (UCIS) at the University of Pittsburgh has been a national leader in international education since 1968. Its mission includes fostering excellence by providing support and professional development for K-16 educators. This work is accomplished with collaboration among seven academic units (African; Asian; European; Global; Latin American; and Russian, East European, and Eurasian Studies, and Ethnic Studies Research). Visit our UCIS Community Engagement website for more K-12 educational resources and services.
Teacher Advisors
The K-12Education Teacher Advisory Board is made up of dedicated K-12 educators and school leaders who volunteer their time to offer guidance and insight to the K-12 Education Program. Serving as external advisors, they play a key role in shaping curriculum and teaching-focused events by offering constructive feedback and ideas. The board meets twice per academic year to collaborate with the Outreach Coordinator, who oversees the planning and execution of all program activities. Advisors for the 2025–26 cycle include::
- Warren Giles: Ellis High School
- Rachel Lipko: Riverview High School
- Thomas Yochum: Upper St. Clair High School
- Christini Tapu: Brashear High School
The Center for African Studies is is a member of the African Studies Association Outreach Council and collaborate toward joint events and initiatives. Our new website, www.asaoutreach.org, organizes these resources so that you can find Africa-related materials and events in one place. Information about our yearly African Studies Association Teachers’ Workshop can be found there. The constituencies we serve include, but are not limited to, the following groups:
K-12 students and teachers
Community college students and teachers
Companies and business organizations
Educational organizations
Most recently, we visited Shaler Middle School where our Associate Professor Dr. Meshesha Make taught about indigenous Ethiopian knowledge and shared a traditional coffee ceremony. We also visited Carson Middle School where our Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant Bancy Gichovi taught a Swahili lesson. You can reach out to us any time to schedule a school visit and design a presentation that fits into your class, club, or cultural event!
Copyright Info
All materials under the University of Pittsburgh copyright and available for free on our website may be downloaded for use in classrooms or by community organizations. Please contact us for permission for other uses.