Everything You Need To Know About Adventist University Of West Africa (Auwa), Marshall, Liberia

Nestled in the quiet town of Marshall, Margibi County, just outside Liberia’s bustling capital Monrovia, stands the Adventist University of West Africa (AUWA)—a university where faith meets knowledge, and service walks hand in hand with academic excellence.

Owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church, AUWA is part of the worldwide Adventist education system—the second-largest Christian school network in the world. Since its founding in 2003, the university has been steadily growing into a hub for academic training, moral development, and community impact.

But AUWA’s story is more than just classrooms and degree programs—it’s about resilience, vision, and the commitment to nurture a generation of leaders for Liberia and West Africa.

The History of AUWA: A Vision Realized

The idea of a faith-based university in Liberia had been long nurtured by the Seventh-day Adventist Church. For decades, the church had been investing in primary and secondary education, preparing young people both academically and spiritually. But as Liberia’s demand for higher education increased, a gap emerged—there was a need for a university that combined academic rigor with Christian values.

That dream came true in 2003, when AUWA was officially established with a charter from the Liberian government.

At first, the university started small, offering only a handful of associate degree programs from a temporary site in Monrovia. Those early years were about laying the foundation: setting academic standards, defining values, and building the structures for a future university that would one day be counted among the best in the region.

By 2010–2011, AUWA admitted its first cohort of students, and in 2012, it held groundbreaking ceremonies for its permanent 100-acre campus in Marshall. Soon after, student elections were introduced, establishing a vibrant campus culture of participation and leadership.

The National Commission on Higher Education (NCHE) granted AUWA a full degree charter in 2013, officially recognizing its programs. That same year, its nursing program earned professional accreditation from the Liberia Board of Nursing and Midwifery.

By 2015, AUWA had moved into its permanent campus and celebrated its first graduation ceremony, marking a major milestone in its journey.

From those humble beginnings, AUWA has steadily expanded its programs, faculty, and facilities—standing today as a respected faith-based university in West Africa.

Vision, Mission, and Values

AUWA’s vision is bold yet simple:

To become a center of excellence in tertiary education in Liberia and West Africa.

It is not just about producing graduates with degrees; AUWA aims to raise leaders who are academically strong, morally upright, and spiritually grounded.

The university’s mission centers on holistic education—where intellectual growth, character formation, spiritual values, and practical service are intertwined.

What AUWA Stands For:

• Excellence – setting high standards in teaching, research, and service.

• Integrity – conducting all academic and administrative work with transparency and honesty.

• Faith – keeping the principles of the Seventh-day Adventist Church at the core of its operations.

• Innovation – fostering creativity, technology, and entrepreneurship.

• Community – building a spirit of collaboration, service, and mutual growth.

• Service – dedicating education to meet the needs of society, not just individuals.

The Campus and Facilities

AUWA’s permanent home in Marshall provides the perfect blend of peace, accessibility, and growth potential. The campus spans 100 acres along the Robertsfield Highway, making it easy to reach from Monrovia while still offering a serene learning environment.

Academic Infrastructure

• Modern Lecture Halls & Classrooms – equipped with audio-visual tools and designed for interactive learning.

• Laboratories & Training Centers – especially strong in nursing, public health, computer science, and technology.

• Libraries & Digital Resources – stocked with books, journals, and e-learning platforms to support research and study.

• Innovation & Research Hubs – including a Business Incubation Center and a Nursing Simulation Lab for hands-on training.

Student Life Facilities

• On-Campus Housing – safe, supportive dormitories with study lounges and dining halls.

• Sports & Recreation – football pitches, basketball courts, volleyball, and cultural centers for arts and music.

• Transportation – shuttle services linking campus with surrounding communities and Monrovia.

AUWA has intentionally built not just classrooms but a living-learning environment where students can thrive academically, socially, and spiritually.

Academic Programs

AUWA’s academic structure is divided into four main colleges, each offering programs that meet Liberia’s developmental needs:

1. College of Business and Public Administration

   • BSc Accounting

   • BSc Banking & Finance

   • BBA (Business Administration)

   • BSc Public Administration

2. College of Humanities

   • BA Theology

   • BA Religious Studies

   • Other liberal arts courses shaping critical thinking and communication.

3. College of Health and Sciences

   • BSc Nursing (with specializations in Maternal & Child Health, Community Health)

   • BSc Public Health

   • BSc Biology

4. College of Technology

   • BSc Computer Science

   • BSc Engineering Technology

   • Technology-driven courses responding to Liberia’s industrial growth.

Graduate Studies

AUWA also offers MBA, MPA, MSc Nursing, and MSc Public Health, with plans to expand doctoral programs in the near future.

This blend of undergraduate and postgraduate programs ensures that AUWA graduates are workforce-ready, research-driven, and globally competitive.

Teaching, Research, and Innovation

AUWA’s educational approach blends theory, practice, and values. Students benefit from:

• Interactive lectures and multimedia learning.

• Fieldwork, internships, and real-world application.

• Research projects guided by faculty mentors.

• Access to modern e-learning platforms.

Research is deeply embedded in AUWA’s mission. Faculty and students collaborate on projects that tackle pressing local and regional issues—public health, education, governance, technology, and theology.

The university has also established innovation hubs where entrepreneurial students can turn ideas into startups, supporting Liberia’s economic diversification.

Campus Culture and Student Life

Life at AUWA is about more than academic study. The university is intentional about creating a vibrant, nurturing, and spiritually uplifting environment.

• Student Government & Clubs – promoting leadership, service, and creativity.

• Sports & Cultural Events – encouraging teamwork, fitness, and cultural expression.

• Spiritual Life – chapel services, Bible study groups, and service projects.

• Community Outreach – from health campaigns to mentorship programs in local schools.

These experiences equip students not just with knowledge, but with life skills, ethics, and confidence.

Governance and Leadership

AUWA operates under a strong governance framework, with a Board of Management overseeing policy, a dedicated administration led by the President (currently Dr. Emmanuel G. M. Kollie), and active participation from students through elected bodies.

The leadership philosophy is rooted in integrity, accountability, and service, ensuring that AUWA remains aligned with its mission of faith-based, community-focused education.

Community Engagement and National Impact

From its beginning, AUWA has been committed to giving back to Liberia. Its outreach initiatives include:

• Health Campaigns – addressing public health challenges like malaria prevention, maternal health, and sanitation.

• Educational Outreach – tutoring and mentorship in surrounding communities.

• Social Service Programs – addressing poverty, civic education, and conflict resolution.

Graduates of AUWA can now be found in key roles across healthcare, education, government, and business. Their contributions are tangible evidence of AUWA’s impact on Liberia’s national development.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

Like any growing university in a developing nation, AUWA faces challenges:

• Limited funding for infrastructure and research.

• Shortages of cutting-edge labs and technology.

• The need to attract and retain top faculty.

• Liberia’s broader economic and political challenges.

Yet, the future is bright. AUWA is actively investing in:

• Infrastructure expansion – new classrooms, labs, and student housing.

• Digital transformation – online learning, digital libraries, and global connectivity.

• Graduate and doctoral programs – to expand its research output.

• International partnerships – building bridges with universities abroad.

Conclusion

The Adventist University of West Africa (AUWA) is more than just a school—it is a vision of what education can look like when built on the pillars of faith, service, and excellence.

From its small beginnings in 2003 to its present status as a recognized and growing university, AUWA has become a key player in shaping Liberia’s human capital and moral leadership.

For students seeking not just a degree but a transformative experience, AUWA offers a path where learning, faith, and service intersect. Its graduates are already making waves in healthcare, education, governance, and entrepreneurship—and the best is yet to come.

AUWA stands as a beacon of hope, resilience, and excellence in West Africa—a university preparing the next generation to build, serve, and lead.