Central State University, Wilberforce, Ohio in the United States of American has named Nigerian-born Dr. Morakinyo A. O. Kuti as the Vice President for Research and Economic Development (VPRED) and Director of Land Grants.
The institution’s Interim Public Relations Director, Debbie Alberico said: “As an 1890 Land-Grant Institution, Central State is committed to educating students who are underrepresented in the agricultural and food science disciplines.
“Additionally, through extension programming, the university provides outreach and educational programming to nearby urban and rural communities”.
The newly created VPRED role will enhance Central State’s impact on students and the community. Kuti will lead the implementation of its strategic plan and statements of purpose, goals, mission, and vision, as it relates to research, Title III Programme, other sponsored activities, and Land Grant programmes.
“It is an honour to be named the Vice President for Research and Economic Development and the Director of Land Grant Programmes. I am humbled to be a part of ushering in a new era of research and innovation at Central State University”, Kuti said.
He had served as Associate Provost for Research; Interim Dean of the John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture; and Director of 1890 Land Grant Programmes at Central State.
Kuti has secured over $20 million in public and private funds that have enhanced the university’s physical infrastructure, enabled faculty research and scholarly activities, and provided students with scholarships and experiential learning opportunities. He has administered $225 million in public and private funds since 2005.
Kuti led a multidisciplinary team of faculty and staff that increased Central State’s external awards by 227 per cent from $20.1 million to $50.5 million in three years and increased its ranking on the National Science Foundation survey of Higher Education of Research and Development Expenditures (HERD) from 42 to 22 in three years. Central State is the highest ranked predominantly undergraduate Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) on the 2021 HERD Survey.
He secured United States Department of Agriculture approval for Central State to construct a $16 million, 40,000-square-feet research facility expected to open fall 2024 by reallocating unused funds to priority need.
He has demonstrated a record of success facilitating positive outcomes for underrepresented students, particularly in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Over 1,700 students have been positively impacted by Kuti’s programs with 300 entering the workforce or graduate studies.
Kuti holds a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Central State University, a Master of Business Administration in finance from St. Thomas University, and a Doctorate in Public Policy and Administration from Walden University.
The university’s Interim President, Dr. Alex Johnson said: “During his tenure at Central State, Dr. Kuti has significantly increased our Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics profile, while securing millions of dollars to support university research and education. We are excited to see what he will accomplish as the new Vice President for Research and Economic Development and director of Land Grant Programmes”.
