Eyualem Abebe, Ph.D.

Eyualem Abebe serves as the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Fort Valley State University (FVSU). Before joining FVSU, he held a similar deanship at Eastern Florida State College, Florida. He also served as Chair of the Chairs’ Council and the Marshal A. Rausch Endowed Distinguished Professor and Chair of the Department of Natural Sciences at Elizabeth City State University.

Eyualem Abebe is a lifelong educator, mentor, and academic administrator with more than 35 years of distinguished service across multiple higher education institutions in Africa (Addis Ababa University and Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia), Europe (Gent University, Belgium and The University of Edinburgh, Scotland), and North America (University of New Hampshire, Elizabeth City State University, Eastern Florida State College, and Fort Valley State University, USA).

Throughout his career, he has held roles that span teaching, research, and administration, consistently demonstrating a commitment to academic excellence, student success, and institutional advancement. His global experience has equipped him with a unique ability to navigate diverse educational systems, promote collaboration, and enhance inclusive and transformative learning environments.

Eyualem Abebe has been intentional in expanding academic opportunities by securing grants that support mentoring through research for more than 60 undergraduate and graduate students. He has obtained millions of dollars in funding from state and national agencies, including the U.S. Department of Defense, the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Department of Education, and the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Moreover, to enhance retention and graduation rates, Dr. Abebe has dedicated over 15 years to implementing effective academic interventions.

As active researcher and an organismal biologist, specifically as a globally recognized nematologist, Abebe has discovered 28 species new to science and has published extensively (52 peer-reviewed papers, 7 chapters, & edited a book). He supports the broader scientific community by serving as editor & reviewer to professional journals, to funding agencies, and as research advisor, mentor and external examiner.

In recognition of his contributions, Dr. Abebe was inducted in 2025 as an Associate Fellow of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences. He has received numerous honors, including the 2023 ECSU Chancellor’s Legacy Award, the 2014 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching, and the Ghent University International Student Association Distinguished Alumnus Award for Professional Achievement. In tribute to his impact in the field of nematology, a species has been named in his honor.

Abebe earned his BSc and MSc degrees from Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia, and a second MSc and PhD degrees from Ghent University, Belgium.