President Michael Drake hosted the Washington Mandela Fellows for a luncheon at the Faculty Club on July 3, 2017. During their time together, President Drake discussed leadership skills and management techniques that have helped him be an effective leader. Many Mandela Fellows took the opportunity to ask questions about Drake's experiences and challenges he has faced as the leader of a large university.
The Washington Mandela Fellows are on the Ohio State campus from mid-June through July for a Public Management Institute co-hosted by the John Glenn College of Public Affairs and the Center for African Studies. The Fellows here at Ohio State are men and women between 25 and 35, who have established records of accomplishment in promoting innovation and positive change in their respective organizations. The 25 Fellows are from 17 different countries, including Burkina Faso, Botswana, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius, Niger, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Somalia and Zambia.
The Mandela Washington Fellowship is the flagship program of the U.S. Department of State Young African Leaders Initiative. Through this initiative, young African leaders gain the skills and connections they need to accelerate their career and contribute more robustly to strengthening democratic institutions, spurring economic growth, and enhancing peace and security in Africa.