Emily Entsminger, Director      

MDiv. Spiritual Formation, Portland Seminary (George Fox University) 2020
B.A. Christian Education, Youth Ministry & Adolescent Studies, Northwestern College, 2009
USP Alumna, Fall 2007

Emily is originally from Eastern Iowa. She earned her undergraduate degree in Christian Education/Youth Ministry from Northwestern College. While earning her bachelor’s degree Emily was a student with Uganda Studies Program (Fall 2007) in the IMME emphasis. She has spent her professional career serving students in a variety of contexts. She started as a congregational youth pastor in Northwest Iowa. Then served young adults with Amagara Bible Institute of Discipleship and Evangelism in Mbarara, Uganda. And most recently served in higher education as the Director of Campus Ministry. Emily earned her Master of Divinity with a specialization in Spiritual Formation from Portland Seminary (George Fox) in 2020. She is passionate about journeying with students and helping them navigate life’s big questions.

Jonathan Tumwebaze, Global Health Coordinator and Christian University Partnerships Manager 

PhD Public Policy, University of Pretoria, South Africa 2022
M.A. Research and Public Policy, Uganda Christian University 2017
B.A. Development Studies, Uganda Christian University 2014

Jonathan has a unique passion for cross-disciplinary learning and knowledge systems and has a breadth of experience working with students. As an undergraduate student at UCU in Development Studies, Jonathan was a member of the Honours College, serving as the Chairperson in 2013-2014. He roomed with several USP roommates during those years! He went on to obtain his MA in Research and Public Policy through UCU, while also serving as a Teaching Assistant and later a Lecturer. Jonathan is currently a Ph.D. Carnegie fellow in the School of Public Management and Administration at the University of Pretoria in South Africa. He is a passionate cross-disciplinary child-focused policy researcher. Prior to his doctoral studies, Jonathan Coordinated the Institute of Faith Learning and Service at Uganda Christian University. His work involved designing, implementing, and later evaluating faith integration projects for both teaching and non-teaching staff at UCU's main and it's 4 regional campuses. Jonathan enjoys listening and learning alongside his students.

Nazjé Mansfield, Social Work Coordinator and Faculty 

M.S.W. Samford University 2020
B.S.W. Belmont University 2019
USP Alumna, Spring 2019

During the height of the global pandemic, Nazjè Mansfield graduated from Samford University with a Master of Social Work Degree and a concentration in Global Community Development. She has worked in several different social work settings including criminal justice, with chronically ill children, and public nonprofits. As a family-centered woman, Nazjè is passionate about helping others and improving human relations. 
 

Lydia Wankuma, Administrator

M.A. Biblical  Counseling, Westminster Theological Seminary 2011
B.A. Social Work and Social Administration, Uganda Christian University 2006

Upon attaining her BA from Uganda Christian University, She worked as a research assistant with International Potato Centre - a private organization that seeks to reduce poverty and achieve food security. She later joined the staff at Uganda Christian University as a teaching assistant. As part of her MA Program, she interned with Bethany Christian Services in Pennsylvania with the Post Adoptions department. Upon returning to Uganda, she joined the faculty at Uganda Christian University to teach in the Social Work department and the Counseling Program. Lydia loves helping other people reach their dreams and her work with Uganda Studies Program enables her to do that. 

Mary Kate Leloux, Assistant Coordinator

M.P.H. Maternal & Child Health, University of Minnesota 2024
B.S. Biology and Public Health, Dordt University 2022
USP Alumna, Spring 2020

Mary Kate is a USP alumna who studied in the Global Health Emphasis during Spring of 2020 as part of her undergraduate studies in Biology at Dordt University. Her semester abroad propelled her to pursue an education that would provide her with tools to work in a multidisciplinary field focused on global health equity. Mary Kate earned her Masters of Public Health from the University of Minnesota, where she worked in clinical research and embraced the Twin Cities community through her studies. She has a background working with older adults in various health care and home settings, and enjoys engagements that cross generations. Mary Kate is passionate about guiding students in their experiential learning, as she herself was deeply impacted by USP and Ugandan culture during her semester abroad.

Sarah Mpiriirwe, Administrative Assistant

B.A Business Administration, Uganda Christian University, 2011

After obtaining her bachelor’s in business administration, Sarah joined Mtn Uganda and worked as a customer service advisor for over six years. She was the USP administrative assistant in 2019 and 2020 and (after a brief hiatus due to COVID), has returned to the USP team! Sarah has an interest in accountancy, a clear understanding of office and cross-cultural environments, and the willingness and ability to assist others in need.
 

John Kabugo, Driver

Cert. Motor Vehicle Tech Part 1, Mukono Vocational Training School 1990
License, Class CM, B, A, DL 1988
Cert. Business Administration and Accounting, Mukono Vocational Training School 1990

Bailey Brown, Program Assistant

B.A. Social Work, Northwestern College 2024
USP Alumna, Spring 2024

Rannie Ashaba, Program Assistant

B.A. Business Administration, Uganda Christian University 2022
 

Emily French, Program Assistant

B.S. Honours Health Sciences & Psychology, Redeemer University 2024
USP Alumna, Spring 2023

Lisa Tokpa, Director of Field Education

M.S.W. Washington University 2002
B.A. Psychology, Business Administration, William Jewell College 2000

After studying abroad her last semester of college at Daystar University in Kenya, Lisa pursued her MSW, specializing in children, youth and families. She has since been a caseworker at a Christian child placement agency in Denver, the Director of Aftercare at International Justice Mission, Kenya and the coordinator of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children Program at Samaritan’s Purse, Liberia. Upon returning to the US she worked at The Adoption Exchange (now, Raise the Future) as the Director of the Colorado Post-Adoption Resource Center. Lisa utilized her experience in both domestic and international social work within her role as the Social Work Coordinator and Faculty with the Uganda Studies Program since 2012. She now works part-time from the US, guiding USP’s field education component and admissions process.

Kimberly Spragg, Director of University Partnerships

M.A. History, Ball State University
B.A. History and International Studies, Taylor University

Kimberly has worked in higher education for 23 years with a variety of U.S. and international institutions including Taylor University, Texas Christian University, Harvard University, Christian Heritage College, Excelsia College, and the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities. During her tenure with the CCCU, Kimberly served as the Director of Student Programs (she was involved in the initial set up of the Uganda Studies Program) and then as the Director of the Australia Studies Centre. Kimberly has expertise designing, implementing, and assessing curriculum and program operations for international and U.S. off-campus programs. As a qualified administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory, she’s a skilled curator of immersive experiences in intercultural formation and passionate about mentoring students to adapt across difference. Most recently, Kimberly managed health, safety, and operations for the Center for International Studies at Texas Christian University. She now works 3 days a week as Director of University Partnerships for UCU Partners, and is pursuing a PhD in literature & theology.