African Leadership University

About African Leadership University

The African Leadership University (ALU), established in 2015, is a pioneering network of tertiary institutions with campuses in Mauritius and Rwanda. Its mission is to produce 3 million young African leaders over the next 50 years. ALU offers bachelor's degree programs designed to cultivate ethical and entrepreneurial leadership skills among its students.

The university emphasizes hands-on learning, real-world internships, and collaborative connections with industry professionals, empowering students to unlock their potential and create meaningful impact from day one. ALU's unique approach to education has garnered international recognition, including being named one of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies in 2019.

My Journey at ALU

Working at African Leadership University has been one of the most defining phases of my journey so far. I've had the opportunity to serve in two different but deeply interconnected roles, first as a BEL Learning Assistant under the Bachelor of Entrepreneurial Leadership Faculty, and parallel as a Hub Ambassador under the Global Learning Experiences department.

Both roles pushed me to lead from the middle: between systems and students, between ideas and implementation, and between the vision and the lived experience.

BEL Learning Assistant

BEL Department (Remote)

As a BEL Learning Assistant, I was tasked with improving student engagement and performance across ALU's Entrepreneurial Leadership program. At first glance, it might seem like simple student support work. But for me, it was a crash course in systems thinking, communication, and care.

My Approach

My approach was practical. I built a structured process using Google Forms, spreadsheets, and email. Faculty would report students facing engagement challenges, those missing classes, skipping assignments, or showing signs of academic distress. Once I had the data, I initiated direct follow-ups.

Initial outreach through school emails

WhatsApp escalation within 24 hours if no response

Scheduled office hours for personal conversations

200+

Students Managed

437

Engagement Cases

426

Cases Resolved

97.5%

Success Rate

Hub Ambassador

Global Learning Experiences (Accra, Ghana)

After that chapter, I stepped into a new challenge: helping ALU rethink what international learning could look like through its Signature Immersive Experience in Ghana. I was selected as one of the Hub Ambassadors for the first rollout of this new experiential learning model.

Key Responsibilities

Pre-Departure Support

Supported 25 students with travel preparation, documentation, and expectation setting

In-Residence Leadership

Lived with students, handling conflicts and serving as primary liaison

Partnership Building

Secured externship placements with 8 organizations across Accra

Social Media Management

Managed GLE platforms highlighting student experiences and cultural moments

What I Learned

Resourcefulness Under Pressure

How to think quickly and find creative solutions when facing unexpected challenges

Clear Communication

How to communicate effectively across different teams and cultural contexts

Systems with Empathy

How to think in systems but act with genuine care and understanding

Quiet Leadership

That good leadership sometimes means showing up consistently behind the scenes

"Above all, I learned that impact is rarely loud. It's built in the small, everyday choices, like following up on a student email, or checking in on someone who seems off, or making sure an intern is matched with a host organization that truly aligns with their purpose."

At ALU, I didn't just work. I contributed to something that mattered. And I walked away with stories, skills, and systems I'll carry forward.