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Acacia e-Newsletter - August-October 2020

Issue: 04 Vol; 25 August - October 2020 Africa University Development Office | P O Box 340007 | Nashville, TN 37203 Tel. (615) 340-7438 | Fax. (615) 340-7290 | Email: audevoffice@gbhem.org

Board members approved the university's 2020- 2021 budget, including contingency allocations for evolving pandemic-related expenses.

Financial projections slide - presentation by Board Finance Committee Chair, Charlie Moore.

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AU Boards' Meet Virtually to Address Essential Business

The directors of Africa University's three corporations gathered virtually from October 19-23 to address essential business and chart the institution’s course as it adapts and serves amidst a global public health crisis and resulting socio-economic challenges.

In the state of the university report to Board members, Vice Chancellor Munashe Furusa highlighted enrollment growth, despite the continuation of online only instruction in August. There are 3031 students from 28 African countries enrolled for the 2020-2021 academic year. About 77 percent of the students are nationals of Zimbabwe, while 23 percent are nonnationals. Female students comprise 57.1 percent of the total enrollment.

The growth in enrollment is credited to Africa University’s information technology and online learning infrastructure as well as its student-centered actions and retention measures.

The university has adjusted its fees to free up funds for home-based internet access, increased counseling and mentalhealth support, and assisted students who struggled with online learning due to electricity, internet access and other challenges in returning to the campus.

Currently, there are around 275 students housed in single rooms and accessing lectures online from the campus dormitories.

Board members commended the administration for taking bold, strategic decisions, including online only instruction, as the coronavirus pandemic and its impact on sub-Saharan Africa evolve.

Ford Appointed Director of Finance

Lauranette S. Ford has joined the Africa University Development Office as Director of Finance, effective November 12, 2020. In this newly established position, Ford oversees investment, finance, accounting, compliance and policy development, human resources, and overall office management.

“We warmly welcome Ms. Ford into the Africa University family,” said Vice Chancellor Munashe Furusa. “Her extensive experience and broad financial skills will help strengthen our financial policies and processes in the Africa University Development Office.

Ford brings to the role vital expertise gained over more than 35 years working with business, consulting and auditing and non-profit entities including the Tennessee Valley Authority, Deliotte and the General Council on Finance and Administration (GCFA) of The United Methodist Church.

While performing as the internal audit manager for the GCFA from 2004-2011, Ford engaged with the university and its leadership.

“Her knowledge of The United Methodist Church is a major asset that puts her ahead of the learning curve in the challenging times in which we live and work in the denomination,” said James Salley, the university's chief advancement officer.

A graduate of South Carolina State University, Ford holds a B.Sc. in Business Administration with a major in Accounting. She is a Certified Internal Auditor, Fraud Examiner, Risk Management Assurance Professional, and Project Management Professional.

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