Pacifique Niyonzima, M.Ed. ’19, finds new opportunities for students through partnership between his alma mater and home country.
Pacifique Niyonzima was born and grew up in Rwanda. At the age of 18, he had an opportunity to attend school in the United States. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Walsh University and went on to earn a master’s degree of Higher Education Administration with a concentration in internationalization from Kent State. During his time as a graduate student, Pacifique interned with the vice chancellor of the University of Rwanda - and he had an idea. What if Kent State’s Office of Global Education could partner with the University of Rwanda to offer education-abroad opportunities for students in aviation, fashion and more? His dream became a reality, and now, as the program manager for the Kent State Sub-Saharan Africa Center in Kigali, Rwanda, Pacifique feels he is giving back to his country by bringing students from the U.S. and other African countries to Rwanda. It’s a new country rebuilt on reconciliation, resilience and understanding, one where students can witness the power of peace and forgiveness in action. Get to know Pacifique in his own words.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
PN: Perfect happiness for me is helping someone and seeing that person succeed.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
PN: Kindness and honesty.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
PN: Fear of failing because I want everything to be perfect. This may take away a sense of appreciation for what I have accomplished and the joy of my present moments.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
PN: My parents for their unconditional love and sacrifices. I also admire the visionary leadership of His Excellency President Paul Kagame, characterized by unity, progress and innovation to inspire young people.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
PN: Receiving the 2020 Rozell Duncan Student Diversity Award during the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
PN: I am on this journey. I came to study in the U.S. and returned to Rwanda to run Kent State operations in Sub-Saharan Africa. My job enables me to give back to my home and ºÚÁÏÍø at the same time.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
PN: When I watch sports with my fiancée, I pretend that I know better than her, and she doesn't like it.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
PN: Assisting Kent State in creating the Kent State-University of Rwanda partnership that led to the establishment of the Kent State Center in Rwanda. This opened doors for many Rwandan students to attend Kent State, for Kent State students to experience education-abroad programs in Rwanda, and academic partnerships with the University of Rwanda and other higher education institutions in Africa. Kent State is currently working with the government of Rwanda to establish the School of Fashion Design in Kigali, Rwanda. Kent State is also developing American Academy (two plus two programs) in aviation and other majors offered at Kent State. This will enable Rwandan students and other students from other African countries to spend two years in Rwanda at the University of Rwanda and continue two more years at Kent State to complete their degrees.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
PN: I do not think I would want to do it. I feel grateful and thankful for the great things in my life now.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
PN: Being a graduate assistant for Residence Services at ºÚÁÏÍø during my master’s program.