Professor Mwenda Ntarangwi appointed new USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor

The appointment of Prof Ntarangwi as the USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor takes effect from July 1, 2024.

Professor Ntarangwi is an accomplished scholar in cultural anthropology and has dedicated his entire professional life, spanning three decades, in the higher education sector in Africa and the United States of America, through teaching, research, fundraising and senior leadership. 

Since 2022, he has been serving as the Deputy Principal-Academics, Research and Student Affairs at NIRUC, a constituent college of the National Defence University – Kenya, where he has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of the University’s faculty and teaching programs; mentoring on developing research and publishing; and, assisted in developing student research and academic writing capacities.

Prior to that, Professor Ntarangwi served for five years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya, which he successfully transformed from a policing body into an institution focusing on progressive partnership with universities, with clearly understood quality assurance standards. 

According to Kris Senanu, the Chairperson of the USIU-Africa council, Prof Ntarangwi's experience in carrying out accreditation of universities and programs will be critical in supporting USIU-Africa’s dual accreditation thereby raising the quality of education at USIU-Africa.

Professor Ntarangwi is particularly drawn to USIU-Africa’s mission to prepare the next generation of effective, engaged, and ethical leaders for the fast-changing African and global contexts. 

He brings a wealth of experience in international scholarly writing, demonstrated by publications, teaching and research that have culminated in up to 64 universities and colleges around the world assigning his books, papers, and book chapters in their courses. He has published 9 books, 24 journal articles, 18 book chapters, 6 encyclopedia entries, among others as well as organized and facilitated 20 conferences and workshops around the world.

Professor Ntarangwi is engaging, personable and a lively lateral thinker with good understanding of leadership and the challenges in higher education, particularly in the East African context.

We are confident that through his expertise and experiences as an accomplished executive leader, scholar and teacher, he will contribute to USIU-Africa’s success and stability while moving it to the next level in achieving our vision as a premier institution of academic excellence with a global perspective.

"On behalf of the University Council, I would like to sincerely thank Dr. Omolola E. Omole-Odubekun for accepting to serve as Interim Vice Chancellor on short notice. Her many years of service and dedication to USIU-Africa distinguish her as an exceptional leader. Thank you, Dr. Odubekun!" said  Kris Senanu.