Staff

Dr. Godonoo was born in Kano, Nigeria, and received his degree in Librarianship from the University of Ghana, Lego and has traveled and conducted research in West Africa. Dr. Godonoo attended the University of Alberta, Canada, where he received his B. Ed. and Master of Education before proceeding to obtain his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles in Comparative International Education.

He has taught at the college and secondary school levels in Canada, Ghana, and Nigeria for twenty years. Dr. Godonoo has had extensive experience in African outreach activities in UCLA, University of Illinois and Rutgers and has conducted many workshops on teaching about Africa. He has also developed curriculum units about the continent for American educators. In addition to his role as the director of the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Dr. Godonoo teaches courses within the Department of Africana Studies at Rutgers, New Brunswick.

Student Program Coordinators assist in the design and implementation of programs, special programs, compiling data and other tasks as assigned.

The Advisory Board aids the Director in determining the direction, goals and policies of the PRCC. The Board is comprised of faculty, staff, and students of the University and members of the community.

The Student Advisory Council provides advice and assistance in the implementation of student programs and activities developed by the PRCC. The Council is comprised of representatives of each African-American student organization at Rutgers University.

Irene Mayers, Office Manager

Ms. Irene Mayers is the Office Manager for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. Ms Mayers has an extensive experience working with students, faculty, staff, parents and donor communities regionally and nationally. Prior to joining the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, Irene worked with the Student Academic Support & Achievement Dept, Upward Bound Program, TRiO-McNair Program, all at Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey. At these various departments, Irene effectively managed office routines, personnel records, budgets, coordinated grants and also coordinated conferences among other tasks. She brings a wealth of knowledge, tact, experience and vision to help enhance the college experience of students at the Paul Robeson Cultural Center.

Melissa Amaral, Graduate Intern
mamaral@eden.rutgers.edu

Ms. Melissa Amaral is the Graduate Intern for the Paul Robeson Cultural Center. She received her B.A. from Brown University where she majored in Anthropology and Archaeology. She is currently in the College Student Affairs program in the Graduate School of Education at Rutgers University. Before coming to Rutgers, Ms. Amaral worked as a College Advisor at the Phipps Community Education Center in the Bronx, as an AmeriCorps College Guide at Tolman High School in Rhode Island, and a Tutor/Counselor for Upward Bound