The Record Online

Fall 2001

GC Helps Establish Hope Africa U.

In January 2001 Greenville College was approved by the National Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA) to “umbrella” partnership the development of a new Free Methodist college in Africa. Greenville College will oversee curriculum development and give college credit to students taking a selected number of courses at Hope Africa University (HAU).

Located in Nairobi, Kenya, HAU is the only Free Methodist academic institution on the continent of Africa. The Board of Directors of the Free Methodist East-Central Africa Fellowship founded HAU as a Free Methodist institution of higher education in April of 1998.

Curriculum Development
HAU officially opened its doors on February 7, 2000, with a total enrollment of 45 students. Shortly after, the NCA granted approval for Greenville College to give credit for courses taught at Hope Africa University for two or three years while HAU gains accreditation from the government of Kenya. The school recently completed its third term of instruction and expects to have more than 100 students enroll for the 2001 fall term.

Initially, under the “umbrella” partnership, Greenville College offered credit for five courses taught at HAU. These courses included mathematics, English, Old Testament, psychology, and sociology. However, the Academic Affairs Committee (AAC) and faculty partners at Greenville College recently approved seven additional classes that may be taken for credit, and another 15 classes are waiting AAC approval.

Accreditation Process
In order to receive accreditation by the Kenyan government, there are two levels of confirmation HAU must achieve. First, the institution must be recognized by the government of Kenya with a “letter of interim authority” (LIA). This letter will allow HAU to offer courses recognized by the national educational system. Second, HAU must obtain full accreditation as an institution. It takes two to five years to obtain the LIA and with this recognition HAU can hope to be fully accredited within five to ten years. Greenville College is partnering with HAU to achieve the first level of accreditation.

To be eligible for recognition HAU must provide evidence of satisfactory instructional and facility infrastructures and quality educational programs. In order to do this, select Greenville College professors and the AAC are partnering with HAU faculty and administration. The AAC members, also responsible for academic programs at Greenville College, are accountable for monitoring all current GC/HAU courses as well as reviewing all newly proposed courses and faculty resumes.

On-Site Assessment
A Greenville College representative evaluates the campus on site twice each year. Dr. Karen Longman, VP of Academic Affairs, completed the first of these on-site visits in January 2001, and the second was recently conducted by previous Greenville College/HAU coordinator, Dr. Bob Snyder, in July. Greenville College President V. James Mannoia Jr. accompanied Snyder for the second evaluation.

The purpose of the July visit, according to Snyder, was to “observe classes, talk with administrators, review student evaluations of classes, and address concerns raised by either observation or student evaluations.” A review of the visit will be compiled and submitted to the VP of Academic Affairs, the AAC, and the Greenville College mentoring faculty.

Following her visit to HAU, Longman shared the encouraging progress evident at this newly established institution and encouraged the Greenville College partnering professors to continue service to the university. “I’m impressed by what a tremendous difference the partnership with Greenville College is making in the lives of faculty, administration and students at HAU,” said Longman. “The partnership between HAU and Greenville is truly a service to an education-starved continent.”

According to a report given to the AAC by Snyder, “In order to take the first steps towards accreditation in Kenya, HAU needs the help of an accredited institution such as Greenville College to give HAU status in the eyes of the Kenyan government. This [status] would allow HAU to establish branch campuses in other countries.”

In support of these partnering efforts, Greenville College President Mannoia said, “Hope Africa is a wonderful opportunity for GC to cooperate with our Free Methodist brothers and sisters in Africa. The university there arises from their own vision, not outside initiative, and it is a special joy to serve in a supportive role.”

“Because we at GC believe that Christian higher education is needed, not only to help our graduates serve more effectively in a complex real world, but to become people of Godly character and integrity,” continues Mannoia, “there is every reason to help our brothers and sisters in Africa to make this possible for their sons and daughters as well.”

“Greenville College and HAU share a common mission of the Free Methodist Church, which is to provide high quality Christian education to its constituency,” said Snyder, and in the education-starved continent of Africa, Hope Africa University is only the first of many Free Methodist institutions envisioned for the future.

Greenville College recognizes a generous grant from the Snyder Foundation for HAU assessment traveling expenses and stipends.

Last updated: November 1, 2001