Chancellor, Riara University
Dr. Jendayi Elizabeth Frazer, the 2nd Chancellor of Riara University, is a distinguished diplomat, accomplished academic, celebrated educationist, visionary entrepreneur, and renowned Africanist. Her appointment marks a historic chapter for the university, as she becomes the first woman to hold this esteemed position.
Dr. Frazer is the President and CEO of 50 Ventures, a private consulting and investment firm committed to elevating Africa’s global standing through strategic investments in governance, education, enterprise, and stability sectors. She is also a Duignan Distinguished Visiting Fellow at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University.
From 2009 to 2014, she served as a Distinguished Public Service Professor at Carnegie Mellon University’s Heinz College, where she also directed the Center for International Policy and Innovation (CIPI). Her research and leadership focused on advancing regional security, political and economic integration in Africa, and applying innovative technologies to development challenges.
Dr. Frazer has held several high-ranking roles in the U.S. government, including:
- U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2005–2009)
- U.S. Ambassador to South Africa — the first woman to hold this role (August 3, 2004 to August 26, 2005.)
- Special Assistant to the President and Senior Director for African Affairs at the National Security Council (2001–2004)
Earlier in her career, she contributed to U.S. foreign policy and defense planning as a fellow with the Council on Foreign Relations, and held academic appointments at Harvard’s Kennedy School and the University of Denver.
Her achievements have earned her multiple accolades, including the U.S. Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Medal, (the highest civilian award by the Secretary of State); the Dame Grand Commander in the Humane Order of African Redemption from Liberia’s President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; and the Distinguished Leadership Award from Boston University’s African Presidential Archives and Research Center.
An alumna of Stanford University, Dr. Frazer holds a BA in Political Science and African and Afro-American Studies, dual MAs in International Policy Studies and International Development Education, and a PhD in Political Science, all from Stanford University. She also earned an MBA from the American University.
With vast experience spanning diplomacy, academia, policy, and investment, Dr. Frazer continues to champion initiatives that drive Africa’s transformation. Her enduring commitment to higher education is exemplified by her significant contributions in the establishment of the Carnegie Mellon University in Kigali, Rwanda, and her longstanding relationship with Riara University, having served as the Keynote Speaker during our 2nd Commencement Ceremony in 2018.
Dr. Frazer’s visionary leadership and unwavering passion for Africa, education, and innovation, position her as a guiding force in shaping Riara University’s future.