The United States International University-Africa (USIU-A) has named Mwenda Ntarangwi as its new Vice Chancellor, effective July 1, making him the first Kenyan to hold the position.
Prof. Ntarangwi takes over from American-born Prof. Margee Ensign who exited the institution in August 2023, barely a year after assuming office, due to medical challenges.
Lola Omole-Odubekun has been the interim Vice Chancellor.
“Following a rigorous and extensive recruitment process, the university council of the United States International University-Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Prof. Mwenda Ntarangwi as the new Vice Chancellor effective July 1, 2024,” USIU-A council chairperson Kris Senanu said.
“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.”
Prior to the appointment, Prof. Ntarangwi had been the Deputy Principal-Academics, Research and Student Affairs at NIRUC, a constituent college of the National Defence University-Kenya.
He previously served as the chief executive of the Commission for University Education, the State agency responsible for regulating and accrediting Kenya’s universities and programmes, among other functions.
“His experience in carrying out accreditation of universities and programmes will be critical in supporting USIU-Africa’s dual accreditation, thereby raising the quality of education at the USIU-Africa,” Mr. Senanu said.
