The first cohort of young African professionals to attend OSU as part of a Public Management Institute this summer exceeded already high expectations as representatives of emerging leadership on the continent.  The 25 men and women from 17 countries were distinguished not only by their individual professional achievements in their respective fields but also by their demonstrated commitment to development in their respective communities. 

During their six week stay at OSU, Fellows reflected on leadership and public management themes through a curriculum delivered through the John Glenn College of Public Affairs.  Interaction with Columbus area entrepreneurs (Crimson Cup, Coalescence), public-private urban development initiatives such as the Columbus Downtown Development Corporation, government officials at the city, state, and federal level; and community service providers through OSU’s Social Change program provided tangible demonstration of these themes.  Fellows’ networking with professional peers expanded depth and breadth of knowledge in such areas as health care, food security, and social justice. Finally, dozens of volunteers welcomed the Fellows and immersed them in a wide variety of Central Ohio cultures.

As mid-career professionals, Fellows made use of the Institute to expand their conceptual frameworks and vision, as well as to hone practical skills to apply to pursuit of goals elaborated in their Leadership Development Plans.  Fellows’ engagement with the Policy Analytics, Modeling, and Simulation (PAMS) training enabled them to apply non-linear programming to their LDPs.  Fellows’ presentations of their visions and goals into TED-style ‘Ignite’ talks before the public provided an inspirational culmination to the OSU experience. The cohort then travelled to Washington DC summit to join the 975 other Mandela Washington Fellows in several days of discussion, presentations, and networking.  A final highpoint was OSU Fellow Emmanuel Odama’s introduction of President Obama during the town hall meeting with the POTUS.

More details about this summer’s MWF experience are available here. The Center for African Studies and the John Glenn College of Public Affairs are already planning to host a 2017 summer cohort, and welcome individuals and organizations who wish to be a part of it.  Contact cas@osu.edu.