Dear Student,
I am pleased to announce Kella Merlain-Moffatt as the new Director of the Africana Center for the School of Arts and Sciences and the School of Engineering, effective this week.
Kella knows the Africana Center well, having joined the Center as a Program Administrator in 2020 before starting as Associate Director in 2024, and most recently serving as Interim Director since July 2026. Prior to her time at the Africana Center, Kella worked at Marymount Manhattan College as well as for Tufts Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Kella holds a Master’s Degree in International Educational Development from Teachers College, Columbia University and a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Africana Studies from Tufts University.
Over the years, her research has explored Latine identity, mentorship, school feeding initiatives in African contexts, and the critical importance of linguistic accessibility in creating equitable educational opportunities and shaping effective public policies. Kella is a firm believer in the power of giving back to community and is the first alumna to serve as Director. She strives to elevate others and equip them with the skills they need to succeed. Her experiences in higher education institutions, international non-governmental organizations, and the U.S. Department of State have reinforced her position on what it means to serve and move towards collective liberation.
Please join me in congratulating Kella as the new Director of the Africana Center!
Take Care,
Aaron James Parayno, Ph.D.
Associate Dean of Student Inclusive Excellence
