Khanyisa Manzini M’25 said pursuing a master’s degree in community engagement at Merrimack College has put her in a uniquely fulfilling sweet spot. Not only is she a graduate student, but she also works as a community liaison manager at the Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and her graduate fellowship placed her with Princeton University’s Program for Community-Engaged Scholarship (ProCES).
“I would describe it as positive convergence,” she said. “It’s a gift that keeps on giving for me because everything I do is repurposed in all these other settings. Nothing goes to waste, and it’s my happy space.”
Manzini received her undergraduate degree in social sciences from the University of Cape Town more than two decades ago. She worked in the retail industry after graduation, but it wasn’t until she started working for nonprofits that “a life for me began,” she explained. Manzini’s past employers include HOPE Worldwide, Management Sciences for Health and The Fred Hollows Foundation.
“I’ve had a very animated work journey,” she continued. “I’ve always gravitated towards people, and (working in nonprofits) is where I grew as a human being even further. Social impact is what keeps the fire burning for me.”
Since 2013, Manzini has served as the community liaison manager for the Nelson Mandela University. After being surrounded by higher education for more than a decade, Manzini said she started getting curious about becoming a student again.
“I wanted to challenge myself intellectually (and) attach my academics with working in higher education,” she said. ‘Unfortunately, there wasn’t a qualification with “community engagement” in (higher education institutions in) South Africa.’
So, she decided to seek out international institutions.
“I literally just Googled ‘master’s in community engagement,’ and right at the top was Merrimack,” she said. “I followed the breadcrumbs to Audrey Faulk (professor and director of Merrimack’s community engagement master’s program). She was with me through the application process, onboarding and helping me pivot to the fellowship program. She has steadily guided me through it all.”
Although she’s based in South Africa, Manzini said studying remotely is no issue for her.
“My growth as a professional has never really been just country-based,” she explained. “I have been working with people throughout the world – Africans, Australians, Europeans, and Americans. (Working remotely) does offer you a bit of space, but you always have to have your head switched on to produce at a level that’s acceptable.”
Part of Merrimack’s community engagement master’s program includes participation in one of the International Higher Education Teaching and Learning Association’s (HETL) annual conferences. When Manzini inquired about joining the 2024 South African HETL conference, she got offered a bit more than she bargained for.
“The host for this year’s conference was the Nelson Mandela University, so I knew the people that were part of the local organizing team,” she said. “What started as a request for one day of being useful turned into a full-on request to direct the program for all three days. I was able to work with the founder and head of HETL, Dr. Patrick Blessinger, who I’m still in communication with. The experience really opened up my entire network.”
Now that the conference is completed, Manzini said she’s refocused on completing her capstone.
“At the same time, I’m looking to find my voice through academia and writing,” she continued. “I’m also looking for other professional opportunities that are not necessarily country-based. The terrain of community engagement is complex and ever-evolving so I try to keep an open mind about what my future holds professionally.”
