9/4/09

"I am because we are." Fredrick Nafukho lets this concept of Ubuntu, a philosophy of human connectedness, guide him as he steps up to his new role as head of the Department of Educational Administration and Human Resource Development.

"This philosophy reminds us of the essence of what it means to be human and promotes the spirit of togetherness," Nafukho says. "It also emphasizes the importance of interdependence and connectedness of people working cooperatively and collaboratively in the department and the need to respect each other."

A professor of human resource development, Nafukho stresses the importance of people to any organization and how they are key to its success.

"One of the things we discuss in human resource development is that the greatest resource any organization has is its people. If you can invest in people, then all the other investments can follow. In fact, the most durable investment any individual, organization or nation can make is to invest in people," he says.

Nafukho graduated with a bachelor's and master's degree from Kenyatta University in Nairobi, Kenya. After earning a Fulbright Fellowship, he attended Louisiana State University and earned his doctorate in human resource development. He taught at Moi University, Kenya, for 10 years and at the University of Arkansas for six years before joining the faculty at Texas A&M University in 2007.

His research interests include adult, organizational learning and performance improvement; distance learning; evaluation in organizations; international human resource development; and investment in human capital for human development.

Nafukho began in his new role as department head July 1, 2009.

"I am confident that Fred will do a great job as department head, and I look forward to his participation on the college leadership team," says Douglas J. Palmer, dean of the College of Education and Human Development.

Nafukho suggests that the challenge ahead for his department is how to maximize its efficiency and continue with the success it has already achieved.

"I strongly believe we need to utilize our talent," he says. "How do we combine our physical, financial and human resources to meet our goals? That is something I'd like to explore as we work toward the vision of the college — to transform lives through education."