Opal Palmer Adisa Returning to Jamaica to Head the Institute for Gender and Development Studies

Since 1993, Opal Palmer Adisa has served on the faculty of the California College of the Arts in Oakland. Most recently, she was serving as a distinguished professor in the master of fine arts program in writing and diversity studies. She also was the supervising faculty member for the undergraduate writing and literature program. Dr. Adisa also taught as a visiting professor at the University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University.

Now Professor Adisa is returning to her native Jamaica to serve as the director of the Institute for Gender and Development Studies at the University of the West Indies.  Dr. Adisa is the author of more than 20 collections of essays and poetry including 4-Headed Woman and Love’s Promise.

Dr. Adisa is a graduate of Hunter College of the City University of New York System, where she majored in communications and educational media. She holds a master for fine arts degree in English and creative writing and a master’s degree in theatre and directing from San Francisco State University. Professor Adisa earned a Ph.D. in ethnic studies and literature from the University of California, Berkeley.