Prof. Deo Ngonyani from Michigan State University visits USIU-Africa

By Prof. Martin Njoroge

This week, USIU-Africa had the distinct honor of hosting Prof. Deo Ngonyani from Michigan State University (MSU), USA for a week-long visit filled with enriching academic and administrative activities. Prof. Ngonyani, a globally recognized scholar in the Swahili language at MSU, has been a pivotal figure in mentoring African scholars, including Dr. Quin Orwa-Juma, an assistant professor of Applied Linguistics in the Department of Languages and Literature at USIU-Africa, during her one-year postdoctoral fellowship at MSU. This prestigious fellowship, funded by the Alliance for African Partnership (AAP), annually selects ten distinguished African female scholars and has significantly shaped Dr. Orwa’s career in leadership, research, and teaching. Throughout her fellowship, Dr. Orwa was mentored by both Prof. Ngonyani and Prof. Martin Njoroge, Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS) at USIU-Africa.

During his visit, Prof. Ngonyani engaged in a series of high-level discussions with USIU-Africa’s leadership, including Vice Chancellor Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi, Deputy Vice Chancellor Student Life, Prof. Boiyo and Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Transformative Teaching Learning and Research, Prof. Amos Njuguna. These meetings centered around the potential of the existing collaboration between USIU-Africa, MSU, and the wider AAP consortium. Prof. Ngonyani lauded USIU-Africa for its position as one of the ten African universities within the AAP network, commending the institution’s academic and leadership excellence and its commitment to impactful scholarship.

A particularly notable aspect of Prof. Ngonyani’s visit was his interaction with USIU-Africa students. During his classroom visits, he was deeply impressed by the students' curiosity, intellectual rigor, and discipline. Students eagerly engaged with him, seeking insights into his academic journey, research experiences in the U.S., and broader career advice.

Prof. Ngonyani also held discussions with faculty and staff members of the SHSS, where he emphasized the vital role that academic collaboration between institutions plays in fostering global scholarship. His visit not only reinforced existing partnerships but also opened new avenues for collaborative research and educational exchanges between USIU-Africa and MSU.

A key highlight of Prof. Ngonyani’s visit was his hybrid virtual lecture to the USIU-Africa community. The lecture, titled “Teaching Opportunities in the USA: Publishing, Mentorship, and Career Development,” which offered invaluable insights into securing teaching positions in the United States, navigating the complexities of academic publishing and building impactful mentorship relationships. This event was accessible both in person at SHSS and virtually, allowing for broad participation across the university and beyond.

Prof. Ngonyani’s visit not only deepened the relationship between Michigan State University and USIU-Africa but also made a lasting impression on students, faculty, and administrators alike. His commitment to academic excellence and mentorship underscores the critical role international partnerships play in shaping the next generation of scholars and leaders.

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