Dr. David Kwaw-Mensah

Dr. David Kwaw-Mensah, is an Associate Teaching Professor in the Department of Agronomy in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Dr. Kwaw-Mensah is also a leader of the Tropical Agriculture and Culture in Ghana Travel Course. 

Why do you lead a study abroad program? 

To be part of CALS' mission to wholistically educate and train students to understand the world around them to improve the conditions of people, communities, economies, and landscapes wherever they are, after graduation as effective leaders. 

Why should students study abroad? 

CALS Study Abroad programs give students a life-long transformation regarding interpersonal relationships and perspectives on life. These programs offer a wholistic approach to building character and to develop the leadership skills our students require as effective leaders after graduation. Additionally, for our ISU graduates to be effective leaders and trailblazers at their places of work and in their communities, it is essential that our graduates understand the concept of diversity relative to the world, and how a better and objective view of a diverse world helps with better interpersonal relationships for positive impacts on communities by individuals or collectively as a team.

How would you encourage students to study abroad? 

As an academic institution, Iowa State university (ISU) and its colleges educate and train students to build human capital for development in the various sectors of Iowa's economy, their neighboring states, and internationally. Building human capital for development requires a wholistic approach to building character and to develop the leadership skills our students require as effective leaders after graduation. The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at ISU, is one of the world's leading institutions of agriculture with over 160 years of leadership in science, education, and extension.  The Endowed Dean of CALS at ISU wrote, "In CALS you will engage your purpose and passion to understand the world around you, make it more productive and improve the condition of people, communities, economies, and landscapes wherever they are." The CALS Study Abroad programs are excellent educational opportunities to help with the learning and discovery process of CALS students with the potential to transform them by enhancing their passion to engage their purpose with a broader perspective on life as effective leaders after graduation.