Alumni Spotlight: Ifejika Okonkwo

July 24, 2025

Okonkwo

Name
Ifejika Okonkwo, Ed.D.

Which degrees did you earn from CAS?
Undergraduate

Major(s) or area(s) of study
International Affairs and English

Graduation year
1982

Who is your employer, and where are they located?
Ifejika Okonkwo & Associates, Suwanee, Georgia

What is your job title and what kind of work does it involve?
Principal Consultant, Education consulting.

What sparked your interest in your major(s) or area(s) of study?
My interest in International Affairs was garnered from growing up in a culturally diverse environment which sparked my interest in international affairs. I became fascinated with how cultures, politics, and economies interact across borders.

My interest in English (Creative Writing) as a major was because I was captivated by the power of words to transport, inspire, and connect people. Reading and writing became a way for me to explore emotions, imagine new worlds, and give voice to perspectives often overlooked.

What do you see as the value of your major(s) or CAS degree?
My interdisciplinary education in the College of Arts and Sciences fostered my critical thinking and enhanced my adaptability. This gave me the tools to analyze complex problems and understand diverse perspectives. The versatility and depth of my education prepared me for a wide range of life paths.

Were there any other people, activities, or events from your time at UNL that helped you get to where you are now?
Dr. Edward Nemeth was a great mentor. He was my advisor for my doctoral dissertation at UNL. Dr. Nemeth challenged me to approach research of complex ideas with intellectual rigor. His guidance enhanced the quality of my research and heightened my appreciation for interdisciplinary inquiry.

Tell us about the path you took to get to where you are today in your career and how you applied your education in your major(s) or area(s) of study to get here.
I started as a social services specialist and transitioned to working for Fortune 500 businesses and eventually started my own education consulting firm. Through the intersection of theory and practice, I continue to honor the rigor and breath of my humanities background, and continually focus on evolving to become the best version of myself.

What are your future professional goals?
My future goals are rooted in continuing to make meaningful interdisciplinary impact through research, innovation, and service by adapting and approaching complex issues with analytical depth and empathy.