Sefakor G.M.A. Komabu-Pomeyie, Ph.D.

BIO

Sefakor Komabu-Pomeyie, Ph.D., is the College of Nursing and Health Sciences' Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and lecturer in Public Health Sciences.

An international disability rights advocate whose experiences as a woman of color with a physical disability have fueled her advocacy for marginalized groups, especially individuals with disabilities, Dr. Komabu-Pomeyie was recognized as the sixth most influential disabled person in the world in 2016.

Dr. Komabu-Pomeyie's inaugural Global Disability Studies course, a unique collaboration among UVM's Special Education Department, the Center on Disability and Community Inclusion, and her alma mater, University of Cape Coast, Ghana, received the 2022 Prelock Award. The program brings international professionals together to address disability issues and formulate strategies for their own nations.

Throughout her career, Komabu-Pomeyie has served as an educator, researcher, and policy analyst for the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Resource Center Coordinator for the Ghana Education Service. As an adjunct professor at the University of Vermont, she taught courses on Global Disability Studies and Race and Racism.

The founder of Enlightening and Empowering People with Disabilities in Africa, Komabu-Pomeyie has delivered presentations at the American Educational Research Association, New England Educational Organization, African Studies Association, and the European Conference on African Studies in Switzerland. Komabu-Pomeyie also collaborated with advocates in Ghana to establish the Disability Law (Act 715).

She has taught courses on Disability Justice, Ethical Leadership, and Disability Policies at Saint Michael's College; and previously served as the Racial Justice and Intersectionality Coordinator and the Youth Transition Program Coordinator at the Vermont Center for Independent Living. Her honors include the International Service Award from the Association of University Centers on Disabilities, the Ford Foundation International Fellowship, and the award from the International Alliance of Women.

She currently serves on both national and international boards of directors, including the Global Advisory Council of World Learning International, the Free Wheelchair Mission Board, and the Vermont Special Services Transportation Agency.                                                    

Courses

• Foundations of Health Equity
• Global Disability Studies
• Applied Leadership in Health Equity
• Race and Racism in the U.S.
• Ethical Leadership for Health Professions
• Disability Justice
• Language Policy Issues, Race & School 
• Culture of Disability

Publications

Google Scholar

Awards and Achievements

• University of Cape Coast Alumni Association, U.S.A. North-East Significant Service Award 2023
• Prelock Online Teaching Award in Asynchronous category for Global Disability Studies course 2023
• Susan Brodi Hasazi Doctoral Dissertation Award, University of Vermont 2020
• Outstanding Graduate Student of the Year, University Level, University of Vermont 2019
• Defining Excellence Award by the Student Accessibility Services. University of Vermont 2019
• International Service Award, The Association of University Centers on Disability, Washington DC 2018
• Defining Excellence Award by the Student Accessibility Services. University of Vermont 2017
• National Disability Excellence, Department of National Council of Disability in Ghana 2014
• Ford Foundation International Fellowship, Institute of International Education New York, NY. 2011-2013
• Advancing Leaders Fellowship, School for International Training, Brattleboro, VT 2013
• International Alliance of Women Award, International Alliance of Women. Washington, DC 2012

Area(s) of expertise

• Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Justice
• Inclusive Education and Mental Health
• Global Disability Studies Expert
• Policy Analysis and Advocacy
• Multiculturalism
• Social Justice