About Dr. Onyewuenyi
About Dr. Onyewuenyi
Dr. Adaurennaya “Ada” C. Onyewuenyi is an Associate Professor of Psychology and affiliate faculty in the African American Studies Department at The College of New Jersey (TCNJ). A leading voice in developmental and educational psychology, she is the acclaimed co-author of Hidden in Blackness: Being Black and Being an Immigrant in U.S. Schools—a powerful exploration of identity, belonging, and resilience in education.
At TCNJ, Dr. Onyewuenyi leads the Identity Development Across the African Diaspora (IDAD) Lab, where she mentors students and conducts research on how Black adolescents and emerging adults across the African Diaspora make meaning of their identities while navigating social inequities in education and mental health. She also serves on the Committee Against Anti-Black Racism (CAABR), working to advance equity and inclusion across campus and beyond.
Dr. Onyewuenyi’s research lives at the intersection of education, psychology, human development, and sociology. Her work centers on how Black youth draw strength from their racial and cultural identities to thrive academically and mentally in the face of systemic racism. She also explores how culture and peer relationships influence conflict resolution, reconciliation, and belonging among ethnically diverse youth.
As a second-generation Nigerian-American with roots in the Igbo community, Dr. Onyewuenyi brings personal insight and passion to her teaching, research, and mentorship. She earned her B.S. in Human Development—with minors in Education, Psychology, and Sociology—from the University of California, Davis, and both her M.Ed. and Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Washington’s College of Education.
Dr. Onyewuenyi welcomes collaboration and is committed to supporting students who are passionate about identity, equity, and educational justice.
To connect or learn more about her work, visit her LinkedIn profile or contact her here.