For over a hundred years, the United States has led the world not only as an economic and military power, but also as the ultimate leader in education.  However, in the last decade we now find ourselves behind Thirteen other nations. We are spending more money than twelve years ago.  What went wrong?

This week as I listen to my colleagues debate and analyze the future of higher education and listen to speeches from experts and political leaders on both sides, I cannot help but think we have lost the founding basics.

The politicians are concerned about how much money should be cut or added to higher education programs. The media is concerned about what can sell.  Institutional leaders, including myself,  are fighting  to save programs and funding so dear to us and our community. We are at the front line of the this battle. We are the soldiers and generals in the battle front. But the battle is not going well. Which opinion matters?

Institutions are being scrutinized more than before.  We have to show what we offer to our students is a worthy investment and rightfully so. Although the studies show there's no coloration between the degree and  the employment. Less than 30% of graduates are employed to the field of their studies. Can we trace our lagging behind way back to grade school? Have we lost discipline? Did we become so comfortable ? Or have other nations become more competitive?

What do you think?............

Maybe the answer lies between all the above.

But the answer is now, we cannot wait for tomorrow, the future is now. We must hold our selves accountable for what has happened and what will happen in the future. We must change course before we hit the iceberg. As a leader in a faith based institution, I must increase faith to our students, faculty and community . America understands freedom, it is the basic principle and pillar of what we do. Other nations are just beginning, so we must lead.

-Benson Karanja

I just returned from my annual recruiting/public relations trip to South Korea and China. I was greatly honored to speak at the world’s largest Protestant church, Yoido Full Gospel Church founded by Dr. David Yonggi Cho. I spoke at the 7:00 am service attended by over 12,000 members.  I thought to myself what dedication. Every church that I visited highlighted early dawn services that boasted a robust attendance.  The dedication of worship by South Koreans was remarkable.  I felt honored when my sermon was over that Senior Pastor Dr. Younghoon Lee wanted me to pray for him and he embraced me in the famous Swahili greeting “bwana asifiwe” which means PRAISE THE LORD! I thought to myself what a small world we live in that a young boy born in a village in Kenya and a young boy born in a village in South Korea so long ago could grow up and become a President of a University in America and a Senior Pastor of the largest church in the world yet embrace each other so purely. GOD IS GOOD! 

Of What touched my heart on my visit to this church, is how organized and dedicated the staff are. 400 pastors, 7 Church services, 12,000 members per service and 7 Sunday services, WOW!  The servant/ Christ like leadership is evident from the moment you step on this campus.

All over the country side in every city of Korea they display great technological advancements seen in their bridges and 80 floor apartment buildings. Free exercise equipment at their public parks.  The fact that every taxi has its own built in wi-fi along with citywide free wi-fi is incredible.  The retired population refuses to retire and volunteers to pick up trash to stay busy and keep the city clean.  I ran into the VP of Samsung Marketing Division at the Hyatt and he explained to me how he moved to S. Korea 17 years before from Australia and how people willingly work 60 hours a week and anything less discounts honor. Again, WOW!

We also visited many other  churches and colleges. The common thing with all these organizations is dedication to excellence. The commitment to family, sacrifice by parents for children to have the best education.  We must translate that dedication as we increase the population of Asian students, we must give them the best by challenging academically. We hope to launch extensions in S. Korea and Hong Kong.  That's what they are expecting from us, that is what the World is expecting of US and that is what we are going to give them!

감사 합니다 신의 호가!  Aka Thank You and God Bless!

Benson Karanja 

Dr. Karanja's message at Yoido Full Gospel Church

Dr. Karanja's message at Chodae Full Gospel Jinju Chodae Church

As we celebrate the historic Black History month of February every year. I am always reminded of those that sacrificed so much and selflessly. From the slave on a plantation to the southern share cropper to the civil rights activist that soaked the soil of America with blood and sweat so many of us can enjoy the life we choose to live in dignity and with Liberty and Freedom.  Last week I watched the extraordinary movie" Red Tails", what a way to start black History Month! This script rolled around Hollywood for several decades and the studios in Hollywood refused to finance the movie fearing low revenue for a movie with an all black cast prognosticating that it would not appeal to the masses of Americans. To think that in these modern times discrimination exists in a country that certainly has had its share of high grossing African American films including Atlanta's own Tyler Perry and Spike Lee.  Add hit television shows from the likes of Ice Cube’s “Are we there yet?” and Kelsey Grammer’s “girlfriends” and “The Game”, it took George Lucas, the creator of the multibillion dollar grossing films such as Indiana Jones and Star Wars, to get financing for a small budget film about the heroic Tuskegee airmen who fought segregation and fascism for the freedom of the United States. This example lets us know that we have come from far but there is still a long way to go. The movie is well done, it reminds us all how these  young men nineteen and twenties facing racism at home and fascist Nazis were able to overcome without bitterness and with no good support to deliver victory. It is an example of courage and strength that lets us know that we can do the same against all odds.

Welcome to the University that is in the business of developing Global Leaders! "Leaders aren't born, they are made. And they are made just like anything else, through hard work. And that's the price we'll have to pay to achieve that goal, or any goal." Vince Lombardi