Peter Gitau is the Vice President for Student Affairs at Dixie State University in Utah, USA. He is also the Founder, President, and Chief Executive Officer of the African International Foundation for Educational Excellence (AIFEE). He holds a PhD in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas, a Master’s in Education Administration from Eastern Illinois University and a Bachelor’s in Secondary Education from Kenyatta University. A proven and seasoned higher education administrator and leader with many years of executive leadership and management experience, Dr. Gitau consults nationally and internationally on School Improvement, Diversity and Globalization, Strategic Planning, Capacity Building and Organizational Development.
Dr. Ted Grace is the Director of Student Health Services at Southern Illinois University, Carbondale. He earned his undergraduate and MD degrees from Ohio State University and his MPH degree from San Diego State University, where he also completed a Fellowship in Student Health Administration. He has previously served as the Medical Director of the Student Health Center at San Diego State University and Director of Student Health Services at Ohio State University. Dr. Grace is a Fellow of the American College of Physicians, American Academy of Family Practice, American College of Preventive Medicine, and American College Health Association (ACHA). Following his 6-year term as Executive Editor of the Journal of American College Health, he continues as the Journal’s photo-editor. He has been honored by ACHA with the E. Dean Lovett Award (2000) for exemplary contributions to a college health program, the Ollie B. Moten Award (2005) for outstanding service to one’s institution, and the Clifford B. Reifler Award (2011) for outstanding contributions to the Journal of American College Health.
Lenore Kinne bio coming soon
Dr. Mary Gitau is an Assistant Professor of Social Work at Clarke University, Dubuque, Iowa. She has over 10 years of teaching experience in American Universities. She is a recipient of 2017 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship that provides funding for African-born academics in USA to work with host institutions on capacity building education projects. Mary’s educational preparation encompasses Education and Social Work. Born and raised in Kenya, Mary is passionate about advancing equity in education in Kenya from an ecological and holistic approach.
Dr. Amber Manning-Ouellette is an Assistant Professor in Higher Education and Student Affairs at Oklahoma State University. In 2018, she was inducted into Phi Beta Delta, an international scholars honor society for her global-focused work and scholarship. Her research foci include socially just leadership education, student learning outcomes & cognitive development, intercultural development, and first-year student transition.
Martha Maina is a seasoned Project Management Specialist with over 15 years’ experience in development work having worked with various International and local organizations. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and a Masters in Project Planning and Management both from University of Nairobi in Kenya.
She is currently a Project Director at Health Strat leading implementation of a national HIV/TB Care and Treatment project in the 110 Prison Health facilities in Kenya. Martha is very passionate about finding innovative and sustainable solutions that promote equitable access to education.
Martha loves travelling, hiking and running.
LaDawn Richey believes that God and family are the most important things in life. She is a mother of four, grandmother of one and has been married to her husband Mike for 30 years. She is passionate in helping others and loves giving others a chance to improve their circumstances. She understands that education is the key to achieving this. She has many years of experience in running, managing, organizing, and building businesses and has built a successful business with her husband Mike. She has experience and expertise in the retail, hospitality, health and travel industries and she is looking forward to fulfilling her lifelong dream of visiting Kenya this year.
Karen Thomas’s passion for education and helping others is what ultimately led her to serve on the AIFEE Board. Karen has her BA in education and spent 9 years teaching third grade. Currently, Karen is a Campus Director at High Jump where she is supporting students and families have a voice in their education and future.
