Ijeoma, daughter of late Dora Akunyili elected as Harvard Kennedy School alumni board member

By Adedayo Osho

Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) in the United States of America, the US, recently elected Ijeoma Akunyili, daughter of Dora Akunyili, former director-general of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and ex-minister of information, as an alumni board member of the institution.

Ijeoma was named alongside eight others of different nationalities.

In January 2023, Ijeoma was named chief medical officer of the Jersey City Medical Center, an RWJ Barnabas Health facility operating in the US.

In the announcement made by the school, Ijeoma is expected to resume on the 4-year tenure role on July 1.

A statement by the institution reads: "HKS the degree-program and professional and lifelong learning alumni are represented by a board that comprises 22 volunteer members who work to strengthen connections among HKS alumni across the globe. The alumni board currently comprises 16 elected members and six appointed members."

"The alumni board is made up of several working committees which focus on engagement, connections, celebration and recognition, Board governance, and communications.

"The board engages the global alumni community to champion the HKS mission, increase alumni engagement with one another and the school, lead the alumni association in pursuit of its purpose and goals, extend and enhance the alumni relations office programs and communications, and advise the dean on alumni perspectives.

"It is a working board that operates in close partnership with the alumni relations office, with information and recommendations provided by the director of alumni relations, the dean of the Harvard Kennedy School, and other senior administrators at HKS."

HKS congratulated the eight board members, urging them to work towards strengthening the institution's alumni engagement with one another.

The school charged that: "Commit to a four-year (elected) or two-year (appointed) term. Attend two board meetings a year in Cambridge, MA, at your own financial expense. Dedicate time to board work outside of the board meetings (average of 8 hrs./month, but sometimes greater during busier times of the year)."

It encouraged them to actively participate in assigned working committees(s) and other board initiatives in between meetings.

HKS further charged them to “Give preference to work on initiatives that align directly with the dean’s and/or ARRD’s priorities for the school and alumni relations, not merely personal interests."

Ijeoma, alongside other elected and appointed members are saddled with the responsibilities of participating in selecting winners for the annual HKS alumni awards. Attend any HKS alumni events in your city/region (if applicable) to represent the alumni board.

The school encouraged the alumni to lead by example by donating to the HKS fund within their personal capacity.

"Serve as an advocate for HKS out in the field and with your alumni community (regional/class/degree cohorts) by staying informed of news and issues affecting the school," the institution urged.

According to HKS, the board members will also "Recommend prospective students and share job or internship opportunities for current students when available. Seek out and encourage talented alumni to consider running for the Board in the next election cycle."