Dr. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, is a professor of global affairs and politics. In addition to being a Professor, she is a policy advisor, author, entrepreneur, global speaker, and philanthropist. She is a first generation Nigerian-American. Born and raised in the United States, Dr. Yetunde has utilized her unique disposition to empower, encourage, and inspire young people to stand out, be bold and be proud of their unique backgrounds. Dr. Yetunde is currently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Global Affairs and Politics in the department of History, Politics and Geography at Farmingdale State College where she teaches Comparative Politics, Women in Comparative Political Development, Imperialism, Global Politics, African Politics and Introduction to Politics. Dr. Yetunde’s area of research expertise is in corruption studies and global ethics. She serves as Farmingdale State College representative for Universities in Exile Consortium. The consortium publicly defends academic freedom and nurtures academics who have been persecuted and uprooted by creating a sense of intellectual community among exiled scholars.
Dr. Yetunde’s interest in global ethics, good governance, human rights, gender equality, and counter-corruption studies has influenced her academic endeavors and profession. Dr. Yetunde received her Doctorate of Philosophy in Global Affairs from Rutgers University and her Masters of Science in Global Affairs with a concentration in International Law from Rutgers University. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies from Rutgers University as well. She received her certification in U.S. Public Policy: Social, Economic, and Foreign Policies from Harvard University. She also has other certificates in international relations, international business, and applied political leadership. She was a New Leaders Council Fellow, Rutgers Emerging Leaders Scholar, Ronald E. McNair Scholar, Minority Academic Careers Fellow, Eagleton Institute of Politics Fellow and graduate of the United Nations Worldview Institute. She has worked with many reputable institutions and government agencies such the United Nations Population Fund, New Jersey State Ethics Commission, Rutgers University School of Public Affairs, Rutgers Institute of Corruption Studies, Rutgers Division of Global Affairs and more.
During her graduate studies Dr. Yetunde was elected as the first woman after ten years of its inception as the President of Student Association of Global Affairs. She was also elected Vice President of Graduate Student Government Association and President of Sigma Iota Rhota Honor Society for International Affairs. Dr. Yetunde is a member of the National Coalition of 100 Black Women (NCBW) and United Nations Representative for NCBW. Dr. Yetunde served as a Senior Fellow for the Millennial Policy Initiative Commission on Gender Equity. She is currently an executive member of Rutgers University alumni board for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion. Dr. Yetunde also served as a member on the 21st National Presidential Search Committee. She was also the former Chair for Humanitarian Affairs and Social Advocacy for Newark African Commission under former Mayor Corey Booker.
Dr. Yetunde is also the Founder of Young Woman’s Guide, an organization that provides leadership development and training to young women from all backgrounds. To date Young Woman’s Guide, has trained hundreds of young women throughout the United States, Nigeria and South Africa. She works globally with government officials in regards to youth population academic development. Dr. Yetunde is the author of several books, her latest books are titled Balance: Balancing Life, Love, Family, Career and the Pursuit of Your Dreams. Her mission in life is to pay it forward, help people realize their leadership potential, and create positive global impact.