Hopeful Voices: Reflective Perspectives on Ways to Advancing Higher Education Development in Post-Civil War Liberia

Liberia’s recent civil war that end in 2003 negatively impacted the higher education system of Liberia, which is now in the process of further development. In the summer of 2016, a qualitative phenomenological case study was conducted consisting of eighteen interviews with administration, faculty, and students from four Liberian universities: Liberia International Christian College (LICC) (8), University of Liberia (UL) (7), Stella Maris Polytechnic (1), and Cuttington University (1). Furthermore, a National Commission of Higher Education (NCHE) advisor was interviewed. The hope is for this research into Liberian higher education development following the civil war to inspire Liberians, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and higher education practitioners to understand further what happened, how development is occurring, and what still needs to be done in order to provide effective solutions in post-conflict nations. The research revealed the impact of the civil war upon faculty, students, and institutional structures. Additionally, the research explored the development of the University of Liberia and Liberian International Christian College since the war. The findings present proposed solutions and implications for higher education development within Liberia

Campus Reflections

Campus Reflections on convicted civility featuring: Trayvon Estey, Lauren Bournique, Sharee Nurse, Tia Etter, and Chester Chan