In December 2025, faculty from Andrews University facilitated two executive leadership programs for international cohorts. Sung Kwon, associate professor of leadership and director of the MA Leadership in Social Innovation Program, served as coordinator for both initiatives.

He shared, “The distinctive program offered by Andrews University … integrates leadership development with a strong emphasis on social innovation. This approach not only equips leaders with the skills to navigate complex organizational landscapes but also inspires them to become architects of meaningful change in their communities and beyond.”

From Dec. 1–3, the School of Business Administration and School of Leadership at Andrews University collaboratively hosted the Nigerian Executive Leadership Program. The participants were cosponsored by HumanRe Consultancy Services Limited, a Nigeria-based human resources and management consulting firm. The two organizations coordinated travel for select participants from Nigeria to Andrews University for the leadership program.

During the training, a variety of topics, including emotional intelligence in leadership and innovative growth strategies for the workplace, were presented by Jay Brand, professor of leadership and organizational studies, Dustin Young, assistant professor of social work, Alayne Thorpe, dean of the College of Education and International Services and dean of graduate education, Kimberly Pichot, dean of the College of Professions, Gustavo Gregorutti, professor of leadership and higher education, and Kwon.

John Omoyele Fagbemi, managing partner of HumanRe Consultancy Services Limited, notes the impact of the program.

“We were overwhelmed by the mammoth of advanced transformative knowledge imparted, [the] resourceful professors’ presentations, [and the] ambience [of the] environment,” he shares.

Shortly after this initiative took place, faculty from Andrews University traveled to Maputo, Mozambique, to assist with a secondary leadership program for Electricidade de Moçambique (EDM). EDM is Mozambique’s state-owned national electric utility, responsible for power generation and transmission. From Dec. 8–10, the program was held at both the EDM training center and headquarters of EDM. The event featured presentations from Pardon Mwansa, adjunct professor in the School of Leadership, Gregorutti, and Kwon on team building, organizational development, and servant leadership.

Assa Fumo, director of EDM Academy, shares how the program impacted the organization, noting, “The collaboration provided our board members and directors with valuable insights into servant and transformational leadership, strategic decision-making, and business model, adapted to our organizational context.” Fumo is confident that the partnership between EDM and Andrews University will continue in the future, recognizing that collaboration and imparted knowledge leads to growth.

Kwon served as coordinator and presenter for both programs. He reflects, “Both entities … independently approached the School of Leadership seeking a collaborative partnership to enhance the leadership development of their constituents. Notably, although they are non-Adventist institutions, they expressed a clear desire for a leadership development program rooted in Christian values.”

He adds, “Although the two organizations are not connected in any structural way, their simultaneous interest reflects what we believe to be the guidance of the Holy Spirit,” noting that the experience “affirms that leadership development can serve as a means of participating in God’s mission.”

The original article was published on the Andrews University news site.