USAP Team
Discover how we began and our commitment to making a meaningful impact in our community.
USAPCS Faculty
Meet the leadership behind USAP.

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Ellen Mutambara Mapiko brings over two decades of experience in both National and Cambridge curricula across Zimbabwe, the DRC, and Mozambique. She holds a Master’s in Psychology of Education from Great Zimbabwe University, a Bachelor of Education in English Language and Literature from the University of Zimbabwe, and a Diploma in Education (English and Music) from Hillside Teachers College. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Educational Psychology at UNISA. Before joining USAPCS, Ellen served as Pedagogical Director at Maputo International School, following teaching roles at various schools in the DRC and Zimbabwe. She is deeply committed to a holistic, transformational approach to education, grounded in 21st-century practices such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and logical reasoning. She also enjoys coaching students in Model United Nations and Debate, helping them engage with global issues and prepare for future leadership roles in shaping the continent.

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Having taught in classrooms in Coastal Kenya, Northern California and Chirumhanzu, Zimbabwe. Rebecca has devoted her professional life to college equity and access for talented, low-income students. She founded USAP in 2000 and worked for a very long spell as the Country Coordinator for EducationUSA in Zimbabwe. She has been active as a presenter, trainer and leader in international education organisations such as NAFSA, I-ACAC, CIS and currently the HALI Access Network. Rebecca holds a BA in Anthropology and African Studies from Brown University and MAs in International Development Education and English and World History Secondary Education from Stanford University. When not trying to save the world from itself or hanging out with her daughters, Rebecca enjoys cooking, Arsenal FC and dreaming of beaches from her landlocked home

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Alistar Jennipher Panashe is a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Ashesi University with a heart for empowering young minds, particularly girls and underprivileged students, to thrive in STEM. Before joining USAPCS, she worked with Ahaspora as a Programs Assistant, supported research at the NEXTi2i Project (a partnership between MIT and Ashesi University), and co-founded SisuTerra Technologies, a startup using recycled plastic for construction. Her work earned her the SEED Grant and recognition as a USAID Local Potential Fellow, and she published a research paper with Cambridge University Press on plastic waste recycling for road construction. At USAPCS, Alistar teaches Physics and Robotics, coordinates Science Fair projects, and is known for encouraging problem-solving and thoughtful inquiry. She has received the TAASF Hemphill Dedication Award (2023) and the Yale Educator Award (2024). Grounded in her Christian faith, she seeks to honor God through service and excellence. Outside the classroom, she enjoys reading about trending scientific discoveries, learning about data analytics and its applications in science and education, and building ventures that uplift communities.

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Bhonzhelda is our wonderful school dog. Since we found her as a very small puppy in March 2021, she has been protecting (in her mind) and comforting our whole school community. When not attending USAPella practices or Math classes, Bhonzelda enjoys chasing monkeys and barking at the bread delivery truck.

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Dominic Dominguez is the current fellow for Princeton in Africa teaching Research Methods and advising the Capstone Research Project at USAPCS. He is a recent graduate of Princeton University in the United States with a degree in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. Through college he was involved in multiple research projects including his own senior thesis on the epigenetics of dog cancer. He also spent years tutoring math, chemistry, and college advising, as well as co-leading a free theater course for high school students. He is entering USAP in awe of the dedication and hard work that has constructed this new yet prosperous school, and hopes to provide his students with the same quality education and care that they are rightfully accustomed to. He has also been happily surprised to learn that a dog (Bonzelda) lives on campus and he has quickly become her best friend.

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A dedicated and passionate educator, I graduated from Bindura University of Science Education in 2002 and bring 23 years of experience teaching the Cambridge syllabus. I joined USAPCS in 2021 with a proven track record of producing outstanding results and fostering student growth. I am an experienced examiner and administrator with expertise in examination administration and college counseling. My teaching philosophy is driven by a student-centered approach and a strong emphasis on critical thinking. Outside the classroom, I’m an enthusiastic volleyball coach, and in my free time, I enjoy reading and fishing. With a commitment to excellence and a passion for learning, I strive to inspire students to reach their full potential and achieve academic success.

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Lisa Luka Njovu is a bubbly USAP alumna who studied Biochemistry at Wellesley College in Massachusetts. She worked in a pharmaceutical and toxicology laboratory in Boston before returning home to actively contribute to positive change in Zimbabwe and across Africa. Before joining USAPCS, she served as a research and administrative assistant at the Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory at Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare. A tenacious young mother of two, Lisa juggles explaining the carbon-hydrogen backbone of organic molecules in lecture, teaching students how to read a burette in the chemistry lab, and guiding them to become caring and empathetic first aiders. Passionate about healthcare, she believes education plays a vital role in transforming the health landscape in Zimbabwe. Lisa is inspired by how USAPCS allows students to complete the sentence, “When I grow up, I want to be a...” She is cheerful, frank, bold, yet nurturing and approachable, walking alongside students as they navigate high school, uncover new abilities, and sometimes even reach remarkable levels of expertise before they graduate and continue their journey.

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Ruvimbo Mudonhi is a certified lab technician who, after three years working in government and mission schools, was drawn to the vision of the USAP Community School and eager to join such an extraordinary organization. She values the strong sense of community at USAP, which fosters meaningful relationships between students, faculty, and non-faculty members. Passionate about the practical side of science, Ruvimbo finds great fulfillment in her role, where her interest in hands-on learning continues to grow.
Junior Faculty
Keith Tamwa (Physics TA, Oxford '29), Shalom Badze (Humanities TA, Davidson '29), Torindwanashe Chizura (Finance Intern, NYU Abu Dhabi '29), Kudakwashe Chikono (Chemistry TA, Northwestern '29), David Zireva (Biology TA, Vanderbilt '29), Takunda Magadaire (Mathematics TA, UPenn '29), Sean Mutunhire (Computers TA, Dartmouth '29), Olly Chitiza (Program Intern, Brown '29)


Non-teaching Staff
Violet Pabgaungana (Chef), Onias Kunena (Chef), Siboniso Meki (Chef); Not Pictured: John Chilimanzi (Driver and Maintainance), Alvin Mungani(Driver)