Kennedy Nyabuti Ondimu, Ph.D.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College (SMWC) hosts Fulbright Scholar-in-Residence, Kennedy Nyabuti Ondimu, Ph.D., author, dean and associate professor in the department of geography from Egerton University in Kenya, Africa for the 2011 spring semester. Ondimu plans to teach, conduct research and promote a greater understanding of global health issues and environmental sustainability.
“It is an honor to have Dr. Ondimu on campus,” said Janet Clark, Ph.D. interim vice president of academic affairs at SMWC. “This is a great opportunity to bring global perspectives into our curriculum and to collaborate with other universities.”
Ondimu was selected to be a Visiting Scholar in the Fulbright Scholar Program sponsored by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars, a division of the Institute of International Education.
Ondimu earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nairobi and his doctorate in geography from Egerton University, the oldest institution of higher learning in Kenya. His areas of research interest and expertise include population dynamics and health outcomes, health impact assessment, child wellbeing, health outcomes from urban poverty and forced migration, gender issues in health, population growth and natural resource management in Kenya.
As the author of Risky Sexual Behaviors Among Migrant Tea Workers In Kenya and Child Exclusion among Internally Displaced Populations in Rift Valley and Nyanza Provinces of Kenya, Ondimu brings to light sociological, cultural and demographic factors which drive behaviors and the barriers to changing behaviors.
While at SMWC, Ondimu will co-teach classes with SMWC professors give lectures at various campus and community venues as part of his outreach effort. He also aims to foster a stronger cross-cultural understanding.
“It is great to be part of the Woods community,” commented Ondimu. “I look forward to a fruitful partnership.”
Here’s a sampling of Ondimu’s scheduled activities:
- Co-teaching a global health course with Joyce Cadwallader, Ph.D., professor of biology,
- Lecturing for the Earth Literacy program,
- Participating an urban education trip,
- Keynote speaker for Focus The Woods 2011, highlighting sustainability.
The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the United States government. It is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries. Recipients of Fulbright awards are selected on the basis of academic or professional achievement, as well as demonstrated leadership potential in their fields of study.