Mwenda Ntarangwi Becomes First Kenyan Vice Chancellor of USIU-Africa

Prof Mwenda Ntarangwi has been appointed new Vice Chancellor of the United States International University-Africa (USIU-A).

He makes history as the first Kenyan to head the institution.

In a statement on Thursday, May 2, USIU-A said Ntarangwi got the position after a rigorous and extensive recruitment process.

“The University Council of the United States International University – Africa is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Mwenda Ntarangwi as the new Vice Chancellor effective from July 1, 2024,”

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

Ntarangwi has been serving as the Deputy Principal-Academics, Research and Student Affairs at NIRUC, a constituent college of the National Defence University – Kenya.

The cultural anthropologist also served for five years as the Chief Executive Officer of the Commission for University Education (CUE), Kenya.

Mwenda successfully transformed CUE from a policing body into an institution focusing on progressive partnerships with universities.

The new vice chancellor has published 9 books, 24 journal articles, 18 book chapters, and 6 encyclopedia entries, among others as well as organized and facilitated 20 conferences and workshops around the world.

Mwenda Ntarangwi takes over from Dr. Omolola E. Omole-Odubekun who served as Interim Vice Chancellor.

Wok earlier reported on Fatuma Gaiti Ahmed making history as Kenya’s first female Major General. Ahmed has broken barriers again after becoming the first female Air Force Commander in Kenya.