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Faculty Spotlight: Simon Njumbwa, Ph.D., Professor of Continuing Higher Education

Education:

• Ph.D. Higher Education Administration | Bowling Green State University
• M.P.A. (Public Administration) | SUNY Brockport
• M.A. French Language and Literature | Syracuse University
• B.A. Business Economics/English/French |  SUNY Oneonta

Tell me about yourself

I’m originally from Cameroon in West Africa. I came to the United States after high school to continue my education and after that I stayed because of the huge investment that this country made in me through assistantships and fellowships that enabled me to complete all my studies. I also stayed because of the many faithful Christian friends that God blessed me with and who embraced me as part of their family. Do you have any advice for someone considering graduate school?  

Graduate school (at least in my experience!) is an incredible opportunity for personal transformation.  However, it requires some margin in your life.  In order to be successful, prospective students need to prepare themselves to make sacrifices elsewhere for the duration of the degree program.  Once you find that space, it’s time to pray, and then push on that door!

What brought you to Roberts Wesleyan College?

Although I moved to Rochester after graduating from Syracuse and lived here for five years, I did not know that Roberts was one of the institutions of higher learning in Rochester. After my doctoral studies at Bowling Green Ohio, I moved back to Rochester to look for a job and a very good friend of mine who knew my Christian background suggested that I apply to Roberts and I did. Looking back, I do not doubt that the Lord brought me to Roberts for a reason because after setting foot on this campus, I became convinced that God was and still is in this place.

Do you have any advice for adults considering completing their Bachelor’s degree?

Do not let whatever happened to you in the past hold you back. Go back to school because opportunity favors the prepared mind. Most importantly, do not pursue a field of study simply because most of your friends are in it. Every one of us is unique. Finally, during the course of your study, humble yourself and do not be ashamed to ask for help when the going gets tough because as the Rev. John Donne (1572-1631) pointed out, “No [person] is an island, entire of itself, every [person] is a piece of the continent.”

What is one highlight from your time at Roberts?

We had a meeting with the former President Crothers and he baked sticky buns for faculty and staff. Dr. Crothers is a man who is driven by the desire to serve others and the common good.

What is your favorite part of your job?

Receiving unexpected and surprising emails from former students or running into them at the farmers’ market in Rochester and them telling me that the Organizational Management program made a difference in their lives.

What do you like most about teaching Organizational Management?

What I like most about teaching in the Organizational Management program is that I work with faculty who are not only passionate about their calling but are also willing to provide the support that our adult learners need. Our students juggle work, school, and family responsibilities in order to complete their studies successfully.

What is your favorite quote and why?

This quote reminds me that God’s hand was in my decision not only to pursue further studies in various fields in America but also to accept my calling to teach at Roberts: “To be able to stand the troubles of life, one must have a sense of mission and the belief that God sent him or her into the world for a purpose, to do something unique and distinctive, and that if he does not do it, life will be worse off because it was not done.” Benjamin E. Mays, President of Morehouse College, Atlanta, Georgia, 1940-1967 and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr.

Student Insight:

Andrew Weiler

"The biggest thing that has stood out to me about Professor Simon is his desire to see his students succeed. He is committed to his students and shares his expertise in research and writing. The final research project for the Organizational Management program was intimidating, but Professor Simon helped us focus on one section at a time. After each part of the project, he reviewed our rough drafts and encouraged us to make revisions. He helped us finish on time and the end result was work that we were proud of."

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