Melikaya Ntshingwa

I am an experienced business management professional with 22 years’ experience working in versatile challenging roles in the higher education (universities), NGO/NPO (conflict management and violence prevention) and financial services sectors in the USA and South Africa. Currently, I am the Resident Programme Director at Marquette University where I am responsible for overseeing the overall operation of the study abroad local office, including program development, budgeting, faculty relations, partnership development, and student recruitment. Previous roles have included being Director and Community Participation Coordinator at Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading, Project Manager/Director at U Managing Conflict, Residence Hall Director at Marquette University and Portfolio Clerk at Old Mutual.

This career progression based on merit is illustrative of my continuous improvement philosophy. I possess an MBA and a BA Political Science & Criminal Justice Degree. I consider myself to be a modern day globally enlightened industry leader with excellent command of numerous aspects of programme and project management from a top-level strategic planning and management backgrounds.

I possess excellent pedigree in stakeholder and relationship management with a strong understanding of business training and learning and development environments. Excellent leadership, communication, planning and organisational skills, with a strong aptitude to exceed set organisational goals.

Resident Programme Director at Marquette University, USA (2008 – Present)

• Oversee overall operation of the study abroad local office, including program development, budgeting, faculty relations, partnership development, and student recruitment
• Facilitated and managed customised faculty-led short-term study abroad programmes
• Management of international student experience including orientation, travel logistics, passport and visas, emergency management and judicial issues
• Developed and managed strategic relationship with core academic departments, community partnership, and local agencies including US Consulates
• Managed strategic development, administration and budgeting of academic programs
• Oversee curriculum development to ensure the quality delivery of course work
• Course lecturing and student advising, including coordination of offerings across departments
• Coordinating and arranging course guest speakers, student orientation, selection of instructors for prescribed courses, monitoring and assessment of academic programme quality
• Oversight of learning and development of students on social justice issues focusing on issues of race, class and gender
• Created a community service-learning framework and tools for analysis of community needs with regards to the provision of community service initiatives
• Identify opportunities to support and enhance study abroad programme with the view to increase student learning.

Director and Community Participation Coordinator at Violence Prevention through Urban Upgrading (2009 – 2017)

Part-Time

• Overall management of community stakeholder engagement from project inception to exit stages
• Development and implementation of a stakeholder engagement process at both local government and local communities’ level
• Managed and maintained mutually beneficial strategic partnerships with local stakeholders and communities with the view for constructive engagement and implementation of delivery of services
• Strategic planning and implementation of community action plans in low-income communities in collaboration with local Municipality, the Provincial Authorities and local community leadership
• Facilitate the active participation of partner communities and community-based organizations in the planning, implementation and monitoring processes
• Oversight of community engagements, implementation of community action plans
• Provision of technical assistance to own team, government representative on community dynamics
• Management of project phases such as stakeholder formation and training, environmental impact assessments, community action plans, and project implementation
• Participation in site technical and staff meetings, Municipal and provincial steering committees
• Collaboration with local municipalities, other governmental agencies, private sector and the public
• Overall community participation of an in-situ programme for City of Cape Town informal settlements.

Project Manager/Director at U Managing Conflict (UMAC) (2003 – 2005)

• Project Planning and Implementation of the Eastern Cape UMAC Development Programme
• Management of all development programs in the Eastern Cape and ensuring its sustainability
• Establish and maintain appropriate systems for measuring necessary aspects of HR development
• Drafted employment contracts, advertise posts, and conduct evaluation and performance appraisals
• Managed employee database including leave, personnel details, and salary advances and increases
• Liaison with company lawyer, department of labour, CCMA and other relevant stakeholders
• Ensured financial management and administration of funder resources by providing training in financial matters within the organization
• Provided Board of Directors with financial matters for planning and decision making
• Evaluated and monitored projects including implementation of strategic and operational plans
• Capacity-building for peacebuilders and conflict transformation of community practitioners.

Residence Hall Director at Marquette University, USA (2000 – 2003)

• Overall management and supervision of student accommodation housing
• Providing programming, leadership development, supervision, and advising for students
• Supervision, training, and assessment of over 25 student housing staff members
• Designed and executed educational, social and service-related programming
• Provide strategic direction for the complex and all maintenance and budgetary aspects
• Provided orientation and on-going training for staff to develop skills, increasing productivity, enhancing quality of work and institutionalising University mission
• Worked to integrate residence life with other university departments and organizations to foster a more integrated and rewarding student experience
• Responsible for institutional crisis management and judicial administration.

Portfolio Clerk at Old Mutual, RSA (1998 – 1999)

• Processed maturing/vesting policies, death, disability, and funeral claims
• Furnished bank and independent brokers with client policy and portfolio information
• Conducted initial underwriting to all new business policy applications submitted to the branch
• Provided excellent service to all clients (Brokers, Broker Consultants, and product providers)

Master of Business Administration – Wheeling Jesuit University, USA

Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & Criminal Justice – Wheeling Jesuit University, USA