Loyola Marymount University has partnered with United States International University-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya, to explore opportunities for study abroad programs and promote connections among faculty members and administrators.
A delegation from USIU-A arrived at LMU on Monday, Jan. 23, for a weeklong visit that included a signing ceremony Thursday afternoon formalizing the partnership. The goal is to connect the two campuses to offer study abroad, student exchange, short-term immersion programs and internships for students at both LMU and USIU-A, and to provide opportunities for faculty members to collaborate on research and global classroom instruction.
“LMU was thrilled to host leaders from United States International University-Africa on the bluff this week as we continued discussions about how we can learn from each other,” said LMU Executive Vice President and Provost Joseph Hellige. “This partnership expands LMU’s footprint beyond South America, Asia and Europe, into East Africa, and helps to fulfill our vision of global imagination.”
Throughout the week, the USIU-A delegation toured the Westchester campus, attended a lunch with student leaders, met with faculty members, staff and administrators from across the university, and visited LMU partners in Silicon Beach.
“It is a great privilege to take concrete steps to establish a formal working relationship and partnership with our dear colleagues from USIU-Africa in Nairobi, Kenya,” said Ricardo Arturo Machón, Ph.D., special assistant to the provost, undergraduate education, and a professor of psychology at LMU. “I look forward to many fruitful years in the future as we pursue common academic and professional goals.”
This trip marks the third meeting of LMU and USIU-A leaders, who initiated discussions about a potential partnership by inviting a delegation of LMU deans and senior administrators to campus in May 2016. A second LMU group that included faculty members and student affairs professionals visited Nairobi in October.
