By Prof. Margee Ensign

I have just returned from a retreat with the members of our Board and our Governing Council. It was an exhilarating and rewarding experience. I have worked with a number of such boards in my career, and I can honestly say that I have rarely been so impressed.

I just wanted to pause for a moment to tell you how very proud I am to have been named the Vice Chancellor of this very important university. Proud, and happy to have returned to Nairobi, a city I have long loved. I have joined you at USIU-Africa because of all that you have built together, and because of the great promise and potential I see here. You are, we are, a remarkably international institution, and one singularly poised to take on the challenges of the 21st century seen from an African perspective.

The world is changing with a rapidity unknown by previous generations; it presents all of us with an astonishing array of challenges and opportunities. Both nimbleness and rigor will be called for--a willingness to entertain new ideas and new ways of doing things. And the courage to change as we educate the leaders for the rest of this pivotal century.

Over and over again I have been struck by the quality and goodwill of the members of this community. Since my arrival here a couple of months ago, I have had the opportunity to meet many students, alumni, faculty and staff of this institution. People from all over Kenya, from Africa, and from all over the world, have come together here to this important city to create what I am convinced will become known as the finest university in Africa. It will take a lot of hard work by us all.

Hard work, vision and imagination, and creativity. It will take dedication and a willingness to cooperate with one another to achieve great things together. I am so very happy to have been given the opportunity to join you in this exciting endeavor.

Finally, work on the Organizational Review process continues in earnest and this will be shared with the community as soon as the University Council approves the plan. I ask that you be patient and understanding as we complete this important work as efficiently and effectively as possible.

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More articles and messages by the Vice Chancellor are available here.