Jackson Kuria

“Who is the president of Africa?”—a question that often perplexes African students, revealing a common disconnect about the continent. With students from Africa making up over 20% of MSU’s international population, more than 150 students enrolled in programs from certificates to doctorates—the rich diversity and depth of Africa’s cultures, nations, and identities are yet to be fully recognized. But change is on the horizon. This is the beginning of a journey to bring Africa’s vibrant presence at MSU into the spotlight, showcasing a continent of many nations with unique stories, and leaders.

On October 17th, 2024, the journey started. The Office of Global Education and Engagement (OGEE), through the Africa Outreach Program, hosted the inaugural Africa-themed Carnival. This exciting event celebrated the vibrant and diverse cultures of Africa and was co-hosted by the East African Student Association (EASA), and the West African Student Association (WASA), with support from International Programs.

African students brought the flavors, fashions, and flair of their homelands to life at PSU’s North Mall in a one-of-a-kind event never seen at MSU. The air was filled with the mouthwatering aroma of carefully prepared dishes, while students dressed in vibrant attire displayed the richness of African culture and heritage. Food was plentiful, lovingly made by the students themselves: from chapati, a beloved East African flatbread, to the irresistible aroma of West Africa’s famous Jollof Rice. The menu read like poetry, Shakespeare might have envied the lyrical names: Puff Puff, Gizdodo, Zobo Drink, Wali, each dish a flavorful line in Africa’s delicious sonnet.

The carnival aimed to celebrate the remarkable growth in enrollment of African students, a number that has risen sharply from fewer than 30 students five years ago to over 150 today. Another objective was to foster connections and raise awareness about MSU’s ongoing commitment to dedicating resources toward recruiting more students from Africa. Speaking at the forum, Paula Moore, the Assistant Vice President of the OGEE and the Faculty Advisor for East Africa Student Association expressed her enthusiasm for the future of African students at MSU. She assured students that this growth has not been coincidental but the result of intentional efforts to build partnerships and foster collaborations across the continent.

Speaking at the sidelines of the event, Jackson Kuria, President of the EASA, and co-host of the event had this to say…”The tremendous effort we put into preparing for this carnival has truly borne fruit displaying for all to see the incredible strength within the African student community at MSU.” Nearby, Christabel, President of the WASA, let out a sigh of relief, watching a semester’s worth of planning and hard work blossom into reality. She admitted that, while the journey had its challenges, her passion for sharing African culture kept her going every step of the way.

The enthusiasm with which this event was received, the turnout, and the connections made all point to this becoming an annual celebration at MSU. The lessons learned this first time around promise an even richer, bigger carnival next year. And for anyone still wondering… who is the president of Africa?