Professor Muyombano is one of Maine’s new legal immigrants. He is currently working as a Social Services Specialist for the City of South Portland. He teaches at the University of Southern Maine and Capella University while serving in numerous community organizations.

His career path was influenced by his parents who were both involved in academics. His father also had government leadership roles which led Aimé to also pursue diplomatic positions. Aimé shares that he had a positive childhood but was impacted by the family’s refugee status and truly seeing inequities around him. 

This interview only scratches the surface of Professor Muyombano’s story.  The atrocities that led to his having to flee his home country and family are still very raw and real. Check out the additional information document for more about his vast local and global body of work.

His passion continues to be making a real difference for people. A special focus is helping New Mainers adapt and make contributions in Maine and their local communities.




AIMÉ MUYOMBANO, PHD

INTERVIEW DETAILS

Date of Interview: August 1 & September 15, 2024

Location:  Muyombano residence, South Portland, Maine 

Interviewer:  Nicole Morin-Scribner 

Transcriber:  Nicole Morin-Scribner

SELECTED INTERVIEW HIGHLIGHTS

  • Understanding DRC Congo, a country, rich in resources yet one of the poorest in the world
  • Family roots in Congo and Rwanda
  • Growing up in a family that greatly valued education and community service.  His father was a university professor in several African countries and held leadership positions in government while his mother was a high school and college teacher. 
  • Impact of complex cultural and military conflicts including the Rwanda Genocide of 1994 
  • The role of the French language in Congo (Aimé speaks 18 languages!)
  • Journey from being a university teacher to politics and why he went back to being a professor
  • Some of his proudest accomplishments as a diplomat: African Continental Free Trade Agreement and initiatives involving the diaspora where people who left their native country can make contributions back home.
  • Teaching remotely for Canada during COVID
  • Why he came to Maine and first experiences, especially in Biddeford

DEMOGRAPHICS

Birthplace:  Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa

Education:  BS Political Science, National University of Rwanda; MS international/Developmental Studies, Kampala University, Uganda; MBA/Project Management, University of Bradford England; PhD International Economic Development, Kenyatta University Kenya; 2022-2025 PhD Human Development, Capella University Minnesota

Ethnic Identification: African: Congo and Rwanda