Connecting continents: DEM engages talented students across Africa

From August 19 to September 6, Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Derek Kindle traveled to Ghana, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, and South Africa with a cohort of enrollment and admissions leaders to engage talented students in a region often overlooked by U.S. colleges and universities. This trip was Kindle’s first visit to Africa and the second tour organized by this group of colleagues who felt their combined presence representing top U.S. schools would leave a powerful impression on students across Africa. This year’s delegation represented Washington College, the University of Denver, Cornell University, the University of Connecticut, the College of the Holy Cross, the University of California at Berkeley, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The group held admissions fairs, essay writing workshops, programming for counselors, and individual meetings with students and their supporters. Many of these events were hosted and facilitated by local high schools and vital partners in the region such as the U.S. Department of State’s EdUSA network and the U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID. The events aimed to inform and demystify the college application process and transition to life on a U.S. campus. These efforts were met with great enthusiasm; at one school in Accra, Ghana, Derek and his colleagues were greeted by over 900 curious students. As with recruitment in the U.S., the group ventured out of city centers and into more rural parts such as Agahozo Shalom High School, about two hours outside of Kigali. The group visited with Bridge to Rwanda, a program known for attracting some of the most talented students across Rwanda and its neighboring countries and from which UW–Madison has recruited some of its King-Morgridge scholars. “This trip reinforced our commitment to identify talented students wherever they are,” Kindle remarked. “We came across some of the brightest students we’ve had the honor of meeting and hope they will consider us when making their decisions to attend college.” Check out photos from the trip below, and find out more about the application process for international students on the Office of Admissions and Recruitment’s website.