The Samuel D. Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice | GSE | Rutgers

Ufuoma C. Abiola

    Ufuoma C. Abiola is the inaugural Executive Head and Associate University Librarian for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Princeton University.  As the first person of color to be appointed as an executive leader at Princeton University Library (PUL), she provides strategic vision, advice, and leadership for diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives across PUL.  Ufuoma is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education (Penn GSE), where she teaches innovative and dynamic courses that she has created and developed based on her award-winning dissertation research and expertise.  Ufuoma is the recipient of the prestigious Penn GSE Educator of the Year Award (2022).

    She is an award-winning scholar-practitioner, a sought-after speaker, and a strong, proven thought leader. Ufuoma’s research interests involve inclusive leadership and organizational/institutional change, skin tone bias/colorism, mindfulness, and student success in higher education.  She has founded and led award-winning, innovative institutional change programs and initiatives; published numerous scholarly works; presented extensively at organizations, institutions, and conferences nationally; and received multiple institutional, national, and international awards.  Ufuoma was selected as a Fellow in the highly selective National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education’s Academic Diversity Officer Fellows Program (2024–25).  She currently serves on the Board of Trustees at Solebury School and as a Board Member at Large for the Honor Yoga Foundation.

    Ufuoma earned an Ed.D. and M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from the University of Pennsylvania, where she also received the Certificate in College and University Teaching; Graduate Certificate in Africana Studies; Graduate Certificate in Gender, Sexuality, and Women's Studies; and the Certificate in Race, Diversity, and Equity in Higher Education.  She holds a Mindful Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University.  Ufuoma also earned an M.A. in Clinical Psychology with the Graduate Certificate in Clinical Child and Family Studies from Roosevelt University; and received a B.A. in Psychology with a minor in African and African Diaspora Studies from Boston College.