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— But Boakai’s controversial appointment sparks fierce debate
President Joseph Nyuma Boakai has appointed a new president for the University Liberia, the nation’s oldest institution of higher learning, a little over six months after relieving then controversial president, Dr. Julius J.S. Nelson, of his post.
President Boakai, as visitor to the university, appointed Dr. Layli Maparyan as the 16th president of the state-run university over the weekend, following the approval of UL’s Board of Trustees in accordance with the University of Liberia’s Charter.
In his letter of appointment, President Boakai, according to an Executive Mansion statement, expressed confidence in Dr. Marparyan’s ability, integrity, and extensive experience, emphasizing his trust that she would demonstrate these qualities in service to the University and the nation.
The appointment of Dr. Maparyan, a distinguished academic and prolific scholar of African American descent, has sparked controversy and intense debate among Liberians, both home and abroad, especially on traditional and social media platforms.
A graduate of Spelman College, Dr. Maparyan earned an M.S. in psychology from Penn State and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Temple University. In addition to her books, Layli has published over 30 journal articles and book chapters on topics as diverse as identity and identity development, the history of Black psychology, Black LGBTQ and sexuality studies, Hip Hop studies, spirituality, activism, and, of course, womanism.
The newly appointed UL president’s ties to Liberia date back to her tenure as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Liberia in 2010. She has also been recognized with numerous awards, including the Distinguished Citizen Award for Service to the Liberian Community (2009) and the Fulbright Specialist Program Award.
Prior to joining Wellesley College, where she served up to her UL appointment, she held faculty positions at Georgia State University and the University of Georgia. She has served as a Fulbright Specialist at the University of Liberia as well as a Contemplative Practice Fellow of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society.
Her past civic engagements include the National Council for Research on Women, National Center for Civil and Human Rights, the University Consortium for Liberia, and Forever family. Currently, she sits on the Board of Directors of the Global Fund for Women, the Advisory Council of the Center for the Study of Men and Masculinities at SUNY-Stony Brook, and the Ms. Magazine Council of Scholars.
Many of the President’s critics have blasted him for overlooking many qualified Liberians and appointing a foreigner to an educationally and culturally sensitive position.
Former Assistant Information Minister, Matthew Nyanplu, condemned the President’s decision, terming it as economic insensitivity and poor judgement “in the appointment of a foreigner to head the University of Liberia.”
Matthew noted that the President’s appointment is a poor judgement–one of many poor decisions President Boakai has made since he took office.
“In the last one year he has served our nation as President, we have seen countless times the lack of leadership he has exercised and the many poor judgments he has made as president of our country,” the former Assistant Minister posted on social media on Sunday. “We do not oppose any American working in Liberia. But positions that are most symbolic with very serious public relevance must be reserved for Liberians, or Liberians must be first in line for consideration whenever such a position is vacant.
“There are many hundreds of Liberians who have gone abroad to pursue higher education at the doctorate level, and with the intellectual motivation to bring transformation to their nation’s premier institution of higher learning, the University of Liberia.”
Politically, Nyanplu added, the appointment is an indication to the world that Liberians are not competent to educate our own people. “Education and health are the two most basic responsibilities of any independent nation, to outsource such a role to a foreigner, only demonstrates that we are not growing as a nation.”
Nyanplu is one of many Liberians who opposed the President’s appointment. Another prominent Liberian who has expressed his frustration over the appointment is rights advocate Kimmie Weeks.
Weeks noted in a post that national institutions can and should be headed by qualified Liberians, who should be given the necessary resources to succeed.
“The problems we see at the university and public schools across the country are indicative of a chronic inadequacy of resources, not an indication that Liberians cannot get the job done,” Weeks noted. “Appoint a qualified Liberian, invest heavily in education, and see if they won’t deliver on their mandate.”
The rights advocate added that government appointments, particularly at the nation’s highest institution of learning, should proudly showcase the talents and intellect of a nation. “Such appointments not only signal to the world the caliber of a country’s academics but also serve as powerful role models for students, showing them what they, too, can aspire to achieve.”
Making reference to the first Liberian appointed President of UL, Weeks noted, “Liberia felt a deep sense of pride when Dr. Rocheforte L. Weeks was appointed as the first Liberian President of the University of Liberia.
“Before his historic appointment, the university’s leadership had been dominated by foreigners. His presidency marked a turning point, demonstrating that Liberia had produced academics of the highest caliber, capable of leading its most prestigious institution.”
Unfortunately, he said, “we now seem to be moving backward instead of forward. The progress symbolized by Dr. Weeks’ appointment serves as a reminder of what is possible when we prioritize competence, national pride, and the development of homegrown talent. We can and must return to a path of progress that celebrates and uplifts the best our nation has to offer.”
Weeks noted that taking away such a role from a Liberian and many of them who are very equally qualified and giving it to an American is a deliberate murder of their intellectual motivation.
“The appointment of an American to head the University of Liberia is grossly insensitive to the economic, political and cultural realities of our country,” he said.
Cherbo Geeplay, a veteran Liberian Journalist and Pan-Africanist, sees it differently.
“Dr. Layli Marparyan is a qualified candidate to lead the university,” Geeplay noted in a comment under Nyanplu’s post on the appointment. “The new university president is not only a ‘Womanist’, but also an African American, not a white American (as suggested by some). However, even if she were white, we need results that add value for UL students and faculty,” Geeplay noted.
He added that Dr. Marparyan’s nomination should be celebrated; “the early founders of Liberia emigrated from both the Caribbean and North America as Black settlers—Blyden, Roye, and others.”
Geeplay took a deeper look into the Liberian situation. He noted that with earlier Liberian elites positioning politics as ‘king’ and depriving others of benefits from state institutions—viewed as profitable only for their gain—mediocrity soon entered public service, leaving the private sector starved of talent.
“One major reason [Marcus] Garvey also failed, alongside the undermining from Liberia’s enemies, was the fear among elites that their political dynasties, which held a stranglehold on the political bureaucracy, would be challenged by more educated new migrants.”
Like Geeplay, many others believe that Dr. Maparyan should be given the chance to serve as many Liberians are also given opportunities in other countries to render public service.
In accordance with Article IV, Section 1 of the University’s Charter, President Boakai nominated Dr. Maparyan for the role on December 18, 2024. The Board of Trustees subsequently convened on December 23, 2024, and unanimously approved her nomination.
Dr. Maparyan, who is married to a Liberian, will officially assume her duties as President on January 10, 2025, the day of her induction.
The university is scheduled to resume operations on January 13, as announced by Presidential Press Secretary Kula Fofana via social media. Efforts are being made to tackle the ongoing challenges faced by the university, Fofana said.
The decision to reopen comes amidst growing concerns from various stakeholders, including students and faculty, regarding the prolonged closure of the university and the absence of permanent leadership.
Criticisms were raised over the delay in appointing a new president, which has hindered progress on critical matters.
In a recent General Assembly at the Fendall Campus, the University of Liberia Faculty Association (ULFA), representing over 400 faculty members, urged President Boakai to fulfill his commitment of naming a permanent president for the university.
ULFA emphasized the need for strong leadership to address the administrative deadlock. Dr. Edna G. Johnny, President of ULFA, highlighted the urgency of the situation, pointing out the expiration of the Acting President’s term and the recommendations made by the search committee.
The association stressed the importance of adequate leadership for the university’s advancement. ULFA outlined specific demands, including the prompt appointment of a new president, the implementation of a promised 40% salary increase for faculty, settlement of outstanding salary arrears, better working conditions, and a thorough audit of university operations to ensure accountability.
