The United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) University Council Chairman Kris Ole-Senanu has announced the appointment of Professor Margee Ensign as the new substantive Vice-Chancellor of USIU-Africa with effect from September 1.
Ensign, who will be taking over from the USIU-Africa Interim Vice Chancellor Freida Brown, currently serves as the President of the American University of Nigeria (AUN) in Yola, where she served as President from 2010 to 2017.
Speaking when he confirmed the appointment, Ole-Senanu said Ensign has an outstanding track record with a stellar academic career, including 12 years as a successful Vice-Chancellor in Nigeria and in the US, where she was a formidable ambassador and successful fund-raiser.
Prior to her AUN Vice Chancellorship, Ensign was Associate Provost for International Initiatives, Dean and Professor, School of International Studies, University of The Pacific (1999-2010), worked in Rwanda & Uganda (2003-9), and held administrative and faculty positions at Columbia and Tulane Universities.
While welcoming the appointment, Prof. Ensign exuded energy and optimism and said she was looking forward to the USIU-Africa tour of duty. At USIU-Africa, Ensign said she would deploy her leadership style and experience to foster a spirit of enthusiasm, collaboration and cooperation.
Administratively, Ensign will work in close alignment with the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Academic & Student Affairs Munyae Mulinge and other members of the Management Board to oversee a broad spectrum of activities, including the five academic schools, student affairs, admissions, registration, library, faculty development, information technology, operations, and the implementation of the 2021-2026 strategic plan.
Ensign holds a PhD from the University of Maryland in International Politics and Economics. She is a well-respected scholar on development, on Africa, and – growing out of her experience in Rwanda – on genocide. Prof. Ensign is the author and editor of six books, including Rwanda: History and Hope and Confronting Genocide: Dehumanization, Denial, and Strategies for Prevention.
This article was first published by Capital News.