The University on March 10, 2025 took a bold step toward expanding its international footprint by hosting a distinguished delegation of U.S. community college presidents and faculty members, exploring strategic partnerships to enhance academic exchange and collaboration.
The delegation, comprising Dr. Shanna L. Jackson, President of Nashville State Community College, Dr. Larry Anthony Wise Jr., President of Pellissippi State Community College, and Dr. Michael Boyd, Chief of Administrative Services at Southwest Tennessee Community College, was led by Phil S. Agbeko, Fulbright Specialist and CEO of Hilltop Global Group, a strategic advisory and education consulting firm dedicated to expanding U.S. academic engagement with Africa.
During the high-level discussions, HTU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Ben Honyenuga highlighted the university’s commitment to attracting U.S. students—particularly those of African descent—interested in pursuing bachelor’s degree programs in Ghana. “HTU offers a unique opportunity for students from the African diaspora seeking an immersive Ghanaian education while benefiting from our globally competitive programs,” he stated.
Prof. Honyenuga further underscored HTU’s alignment with the mission of U.S. community colleges, making it an ideal partner for collaborations in skills training, student exchange programs, faculty exchanges, and joint research initiatives. He emphasized that such partnerships will not only drive economic mobility and workforce development but also foster deeper cultural and academic exchanges between Ghana and the United States.
The visiting U.S. college presidents shared their enthusiasm for the potential partnerships, recognizing the mutual benefits of fostering global learning experiences.
“We share similar missions, and this visit confirms the alignment of our programs and goals,” said Dr. Shanna Jackson.
Dr. Larry Anthony Wise Jr. highlighted opportunities in student mobility, virtual exchanges, and faculty development, noting, “This is an opportunity to create meaningful, long-term engagement between our institutions.”
For Dr. Michael Boyd, the visit was particularly significant, marking his first time on the African continent. “I feel very encouraged about the potential partnerships we can build here. The experience has been inspiring,” he remarked.
Phil Agbeko, who played a pivotal role in orchestrating the visit, described the initiative as part of Hilltop Global Group’s broader mission to increase the proportion of U.S. outbound academic programs focused on the African continent.
“During my time at HTU as a Fulbright Specialist, I saw firsthand the immense potential for partnerships between Ghanaian institutions and U.S. community colleges. At Hilltop, we work with U.S. universities and colleges to develop and execute their internationalization strategies with a focus on Africa. This visit is a direct result of that effort,” Agbeko stated.
This landmark visit represents a significant step toward deepening academic and cultural ties between Ghana and the United States.
As discussions progress, HTU and the U.S. community colleges are poised to develop formal cooperation agreements that will enhance global learning, promote workforce-ready skills, and create transformative opportunities for students and faculty on both sides of the Atlantic.