Know more about me, on paper. Get to know me, in person.
Professor of Science at Mercer University
Dr. Vokhiwa is an accomplished professional with a wealth of knowledge and experience in the field of agriculture and environmental affairs. He first began his journey in this field by completing a three-year study in agriculture at the University of Malawi. He then went on to further his education by obtaining degrees at Colorado State University.
After completing his education, Dr. Vokhiwa started his professional career by working as a livestock officer for the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources in Malawi from 1975 to 1992. During this time, he gained valuable experience in working with various animals and understanding their needs and habits. He also gained an understanding of the impact of agriculture on the environment.
...
Dr. Vokhiwa's passion for environmental affairs led him to pursue doctoral studies at Colorado State University. His doctoral dissertation was focused on ecological disturbance and investigated "Carbon and Nitrogen Dynamics in Protected and Grazed Short-Grass Steppe in South-Eastern Colorado." After completing his doctoral studies, he went on to work as Deputy Director of Environmental Affairs in the Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs in Malawi.
In this role, Dr. Vokhiwa had the opportunity to work on various international agreements and projects. He served as Malawi's Desk Officer responsible for the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Agenda 21, The Wetlands Convention, and UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) Program. He was also the Malawi's Project Manager and Desk Officer for the Malawi National Environmental Action Plan and the Environmental Support Program (ESP) funded by The World Bank. Through his work, Dr. Vokhiwa was able to gain a deep understanding of the importance of biodiversity and the impact of human activities on the environment.
Working with specialists and scientists, Dr. Vokhiwa was responsible for the development of Malawi’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) in 1999 with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) through the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). Throughout his tenure as deputy director, Dr. Vokhiwa was a member of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) with its secretariat at the UN Headquarters in New York. Before his retirement from the Malawi Government civil service, Dr. Vokhiwa developed, managed, and implemented the Malawi Agrobiodiversity, Participatory Breeding and Gender Project which was funded by the International Development Research Center (IDRC) and Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) in Ottawa, Canada.
From 2000 to 2001, Dr. Vokhiwa was Regional Director and Representative for the Worldwide Fund for Nature – International (WWF – International), Gland, Switzerland outposted to Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa, where he managed and implemented WWF’s strategic conservation program for Southern Africa.
Dr. Vokhiwa joined academia as Assistant Professor of Biology at Kennesaw State University, where he taught environmental science I and II to non-science majors from 2003 to 2007 when he joined Mercer University. Dr. Vokhiwa is currently a Georgia Governor’s Teaching Fellow from the 2010-2011 intake.
As Team Leader for Mercer on Mission to Malawi, and in collaboration with faculty from the school of environmental engineering and the school of medicine, respectively, Dr. Vokhiwa led students on three service learning projects to Malawi in 2010, 2011, and 2013 where the students worked at two orphanages and watershed sites to address water quality and environmental sustainability initiatives together with the local community leaders.
As Project Director for Mercer University’s Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program award from the U.S. Department of Education for 2012-2014, Dr. Vokhiwa led a team of 10 teachers and two administrators from the Atlanta metro area on four-week field research project to Malawi during 2013 to collect data on “The Interaction of Environment and Culture in Malawi” for their Area Studies curriculum development. Throughout his career, Dr. Vokhiwa has been dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental conservation.
Doctor of Philosophy in Rangeland Ecosystem Science(1994)
Colorado State University (CSU) - Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Master of Science in Animal Sciences (1988)
Colorado State University (CSU) - Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Bachelor of Science in Animal Sciences (1987)
Colorado State University (CSU) - Fort Collins, Colorado, United States
Diploma in Agriculture (1975)
Bunda College of Agriculture, University of Malawi - Lilongwe, Malawi
Malawi School Certificate of Education (MSCE) (1975)
Zomba Catholic Secondary School - Zomba,Malawi
Project Director for Mercer University's Fulbright Hays Group Projects Abroad (GPA) Program (2012 - 2014)
Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Team Leader for Mercer on Mission to Malawi (2010 - 2013)
Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Georgia Governor's Teaching Fellow (2010 - 2011)
Mercer University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Assistant Professor of Biology(2003 - 2007)
Kennesaw State University, Kennesaw, Georgia, USA
Regional Director and Representative for WWF-International (2000 - 2001)
Worldwide Fund for Nature, Gland, Switzerland and Harare, Zimbabwe, Africa
Deputy Director of Environmental Affairs (1996-2000)
Ministry of Research and Environmental Affairs, Malawi
Livestock Officer (1975- 1992)
Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Malawi