Dr. Florence Wakoko-Studstill, is a graduate of Makerere University, Uganda (Bachelor of Political Science, 1984), The Ohio State University (MA, Women’s Studies-1994 and Ph. D Rural Sociology). She currently serves as Associate Professor, of Rural Sociology at Columbus State University, Department of Criminal Justice and Sociology. A HERS Denver (2013) Alum, Dr. Wakoko’s work has focused on Fostering multicultural competence, combating racism and sexism, and mentoring the next generation-using One Columbus as a case study. Dr. Wakoko co-founded the Southeast Model African Union conference, and served as Co-investigator on the USAID funded project “Capacity Building in Integrated Management of Transboundary Animal Diseases & Zoonoses in East & Central Africa” with Makerere University. Dr. Wakoko is a recipient of the Diversity Excellence Award from Columbus State University & the Mayor’s Commission on Unity Diversity and Prosperity (March 2014), and, the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship, (Summer 2014, & 2017). She is also a founding member of HERS-EA