In the statement by the College announcing Dr. Akande’s appointment early on 21 April 2020, Charles Kittredge, the Chair, Champlain College Board of Trustees, said, “Dr. Akande is an agent of change and a visionary leader with a global perspective. His enterprising mindset and commitment to student success will be essential as he leads Champlain College in an evolving higher education landscape. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Akande to Champlain and supporting his work to advance the College’s strategic position and build on the strength of our distinctive academic offerings,” In another statement, Neale Lunderville, Trustee and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said, “I want to offer my sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to each of our committee members. Their extraordinary efforts over the past many months produced a strong result: Dr. Akande will be an exceptional President for our exceptional College.” Visit https://bit.ly/34RzoZd to see the full statement.
Dr. Akande currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Affairs–Africa, and the Associate Director of the Global Health Center at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to this new appointment, he had previously served and held important positions in academia, business and non-profit organisations, including: member, Advisory Board of FDC Fundação Dom Cabral, the top ranked business school in Brazil, Dean and Professor of Economics (2000-2015), Walker School of Business and Technology, Webster University and the 21st President of Westminster College; Vice Chair, Board of Argent Capital Mgt. LLC, a $4 billion asset management company, member of the Danforth Plant Science Center Leadership Council, member, Board of Enterprise Bank & Trust ($5 billion assets), a Director of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., a $5 billion publicly traded manufacturer of high quality private food labels; member, boards of the Saint Louis Art Museum, The MUNY, Missouri Charter Public School Association, and Forest Park Forever, etc.
In a remark acknowledging his new appointment Dr. Akande said, “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead Champlain College during this period of great transformation and even greater opportunity. While the challenges we currently face as global citizens are daunting, they also sharpen our focus and urge us both individually and as a community, to lead from wherever we are. The commitment to educating adaptable thinkers, daring change-makers and inclusive innovators who shape professions and inspire communities is what sets Champlain College apart. I look forward to taking this journey with you and thank you for the trust you have placed in me to further Champlain College’s mission together.”
Dr. Akande left Nigeria for the United States at the age of 17 in pursuit of a college degree, today, in every sense, it is evident that he has made such a great success of that journey. And is a shining light for many Nigerians in the Diaspora and at home, and indeed for the entire black race.
Dr. Akande was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the National Higher Education Forum 2020, which was originally scheduled to hold on March 24-25 in Abuja but was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. Among other things, he was supposed to share his rich insights with delegates from academia, government and business, and explore opportunities for collaboration with Nigeria’s academic community. He was also billed to engage with a small cohort of business leaders in Lagos at an Executive Leadership Session. When things return to normal, Dr. Akande most certainly will love to meet these schedules that are now on hold.
In the statement by the College announcing Dr. Akande’s appointment early on 21 April 2020, Charles Kittredge, the Chair, Champlain College Board of Trustees, said, “Dr. Akande is an agent of change and a visionary leader with a global perspective. His enterprising mindset and commitment to student success will be essential as he leads Champlain College in an evolving higher education landscape. We look forward to welcoming Dr. Akande to Champlain and supporting his work to advance the College’s strategic position and build on the strength of our distinctive academic offerings,” In another statement, Neale Lunderville, Trustee and Chair of the Presidential Search Committee, said, “I want to offer my sincere gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to each of our committee members. Their extraordinary efforts over the past many months produced a strong result: Dr. Akande will be an exceptional President for our exceptional College.” Visit https://bit.ly/34RzoZd to see the full statement.
Dr. Akande currently serves as the Assistant Vice Chancellor for International Affairs–Africa, and the Associate Director of the Global Health Center at Washington University in St. Louis. Prior to this new appointment, he had previously served and held important positions in academia, business and non-profit organisations, including: member, Advisory Board of FDC Fundação Dom Cabral, the top ranked business school in Brazil, Dean and Professor of Economics (2000-2015), Walker School of Business and Technology, Webster University and the 21st President of Westminster College; Vice Chair, Board of Argent Capital Mgt. LLC, a $4 billion asset management company, member of the Danforth Plant Science Center Leadership Council, member, Board of Enterprise Bank & Trust ($5 billion assets), a Director of Ralcorp Holdings, Inc., a $5 billion publicly traded manufacturer of high quality private food labels; member, boards of the Saint Louis Art Museum, The MUNY, Missouri Charter Public School Association, and Forest Park Forever, etc.
In a remark acknowledging his new appointment Dr. Akande said, “I am humbled and honored by the opportunity to lead Champlain College during this period of great transformation and even greater opportunity. While the challenges we currently face as global citizens are daunting, they also sharpen our focus and urge us both individually and as a community, to lead from wherever we are. The commitment to educating adaptable thinkers, daring change-makers and inclusive innovators who shape professions and inspire communities is what sets Champlain College apart. I look forward to taking this journey with you and thank you for the trust you have placed in me to further Champlain College’s mission together.”
Dr. Akande left Nigeria for the United States at the age of 17 in pursuit of a college degree, today, in every sense, it is evident that he has made such a great success of that journey. And is a shining light for many Nigerians in the Diaspora and at home, and indeed for the entire black race.
Dr. Akande was scheduled to deliver a keynote address at the National Higher Education Forum 2020 , which was originally scheduled to hold on March 24-25 in Abuja but was postponed indefinitely due to COVID-19. Among other things, he was supposed to share his rich insights with delegates from academia, government and business, and explore opportunities for collaboration with Nigeria’s academic community. He was also billed to engage with a small cohort of business leaders in Lagos at an Executive Leadership Session. When things return to normal, Dr. Akande most certainly will love to meet these schedules that are now on hold.
