Recently, the university marked a historic moment by holding its first-ever half marathon, drawing participants from across the university and beyond in an effort to raise funds to support students experiencing financial constraints. At the heart of this landmark event stood Geoffrey Gikungu, a junior-year student at USIU-Africa majoring in International Business Administration with a concentration in finance, who chaired the Half Marathon Committee, an experience that he says, has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding.

Geoffrey is a proud scholar under the USIU-Africa Financial Aid Program, an opportunity that has had a significant impact on his life. His appointment as Chair of the organizing committee came through a unanimous decision by the Student Association Cabinet, who recognized his leadership potential and past contributions to several aspects of student life. He had previously served on the 2024 Culture Week Committee and coordinated various indoor and outdoor events both on campus and external organizations. These experiences taught him how to bring people together, manage events, and create memorable experiences.

Still, Geoffrey notes that leading this half marathon committee was on a different scale and came with new challenges. “The half marathon was not just another event on the school calendar,” Geoffrey explains. “It was the first of its kind, which meant we weren’t simply organizing a run; we were building something entirely new from the ground up,” he concludes. He further explains that there was no playbook and that he had learn how marathons are structured, study other models, and then figure out how to make it feel truly USIU-Africa; vibrant, inclusive, and impactful.

According to Geoffrey, what made the experience even more personal for him was the cause behind the event. The half marathon aimed to raise funds for the USIU-Africa Financial Aid Program, the very same fund that supports his education. As someone who has benefited directly, it was deeply meaningful to contribute to something that could open doors for others like himself.

As he reflects on the whole experience, he mentions that one of the biggest challenges he faced was leading a highly diverse committee that included not just fellow students, but also faculty and staff from various departments. As a student, stepping into a leadership role where he had to coordinate and guide people with more experience and from different professional backgrounds was intimidating at first. Nonetheless, it also taught him the power of respectful collaboration, clear communication, and trusting the strengths each member brought to the table.

He speaks of the long nights, difficult decisions, and countless shifting dynamics. “There were moments of uncertainty, times when the workload felt overwhelming, and moments when it seemed like the vision might be too ambitious,” Geoffrey remarks. “But thanks to the incredible team that surrounded me; students, faculty, and staff who gave their time, ideas, and energy, we turned that vision into reality,” he asserts. Furthermore, Geoffrey expresses his heartfelt gratitude to every person who supported this mission and stood by him throughout the journey.

In addition, he highlights that this experience has been a masterclass in leadership, resilience, and creativity, reiterating that he learned leadership is not about having all the answers but about bringing people together to solve problems and create something meaningful. “I’ve learned that even the biggest ideas can come to life with the right team, passion, and purpose,” he states.

He wraps up by saying that he is proud of what was accomplished, and is excited to see how the USIU-Africa Half Marathon will grow in the years to come. On a personal level, he notes that this journey has strengthened his commitment to community-driven leadership and using his skills to create spaces that uplift and inspire. He looks forward to applying the lessons and experience he has gained to lead and support even more meaningful, impact-oriented projects in our continent. These are initiatives that not only bring people together but also create lasting change within and beyond the USIU-Africa community.