Professor Margee Ensign has resigned as Vice Chancellor of the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa) University.
Prof. Ensign’s resignation come barely a year after she assumed office on September 1, 2022.
University Council Chairperson Kris Ole-Senanu announced her exit on Monday.
Senanu cited medical reasons tied to the country’s altitude.
“Prof. Ensign has been faced with personal medical challenges related to the altitude in Nairobi, and her doctors have advised her that she cannot live and work here,” he said.
USIU-Africa announced Prof Ensign’s appointment of as the new substantive Vice-Chancellor on July 18, 2022.
Ensign, who took over from the USIU-Africa Interim Vice Chancellor Freida Brown, served 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.
Outstanding track record
Ole-Senanu paid a glowing tribute to the outgoing Interim Vice Chancellor Brown, describing her return from her retirement stint as magnanimous facilitation that underpins her selfless service to USIU-Africa.
“The University Council is confident that Prof. Ensign’s experience leading two very different organizations as Vice Chancellor will enable her to address the challenges and opportunities for USIU-Africa,” Ole-Senanu said.
“She brings an undoubted commitment, passion and vision around deepening international and intercultural education in Africa: it has been at the heart of her teaching, research, publications, and administrative life, and has led her to experience working in numerous international environments including Rwanda, Uganda, and Nigeria.”
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.
“One of the most rewarding parts of my academic leadership jobs in the USA and Nigeria focused on Social responsibility or ‘civic learning and action’ which are my key values and high priorities,” Prof. Ensign said.
