Dr. Wanja Ogongi

Dr. Wanja Ogongi, Ph.D., LSW, is an Associate Professor in the School of Social Work at Millersville University. Born and raised in Kenya, she earned her B.A. from the University of Nairobi, MSW from West Chester University of Pennsylvania, and Ph.D. in Social Work from Widener University.

Grounded in Ubuntu, Afrocentric theory, and Indigenous knowledge systems, Dr. Ogongi’s teaching and scholarship emphasize relationality, cultural grounding, and the co-creation of knowledge. Through sustained international partnerships, she develops collaborative initiatives spanning social work education, research, mentorship, and scholarly exchange. Her current research examines holistic youth wellbeing and the adaptation of research tools across cultural contexts.

Mentoring is central to Dr. Ogongi’s work at Millersville and internationally. She mentors students and emerging scholars through research, cross-cultural collaboration, conference presentations, and scholarly writing. She also leads study-abroad experiences to Kenya that connect students with local communities, scholars, and immersive learning.

Dr. Ogongi is a Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow, an Editorial Board member of the Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, and Co-Founder of the Biannual Social Work & Multidisciplinary International Conference in Narok, Kenya.

At the heart of Dr. Ogongi’s life’s work is Ahadi Zetu Foundation, which she founded and continues to lead in service to her home community in Kiangai, Kenya. Through the foundation, she works alongside community members to expand educational opportunities and strengthen community wellbeing.

Selected Recent Publications:

• Forthcoming: Gitau, M. W., Ogongi, W., & Onyiko, K. K. (In Press). Globalization of Health and Wellness: COIL as an Educational Response to Shared Global Vulnerability. In M. Seo, J. Harris, & J. McKeown (Eds.), Transforming Health Education Across Borders: Virtual Exchanges Through Collaborative Online International Learning. Springer Nature. 

• Mugoya, G. C., Muchiri, S. M., Ogongi, W., et al. (2024). “Adverse Childhood Experiences, Substance Use and Poor Mental Health among the U.S. Adult Population.” Journal of Mental Health Counseling, 46(3), 259–280. 

• Echukule, L. J., Onyiko, K., & Ogongi, W. (2024). “Effectiveness of the Hunger Safety Net Programme on Beneficiary Households’ Food Security in Turkana West Sub-County, Kenya.” IOSR Journal of Humanities and Social Science, 29(8), 65–77.

Selected Scholarly Presentations:

• Ogongi, W., Tharaka University–Millersville University Student Research Collaborative. (2026, June). Global Insights, Local Impact: A Collaborative Cultural Adaptation of Youth Wellbeing Assessments. Presentation at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026), Nairobi, Kenya. 

• Thorwart, M., & Ogongi, W. (2026, June). Harambee for Holistic Wellbeing: Interconnecting Dimensions of Wellness for Sustainable Futures. Presentation at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026), Nairobi, Kenya. 

• Kaphalanya, & Ogongi, W. (2025, March). Bridging Digital Divides: Empowering Women through Digital Literacy in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The 12^th Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference. Millersville, PA. 

• Gitau, M. & Ogongi, W. (2024, October). Integrating African and Native American Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Peace Building and Conflict The Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) 70^th Annual Program Meeting, Kansas City, MO.

• Lowery, C. & Ogongi, W. (2020, June). Combating Burnout and Vicarious Trauma at the Organizational Level: A Qualitative Research Study. Presented virtually at The International Association for Social Work with Groups (IASWG) Symposium, New York, NY.

• Kerubo, E., & Ogongi, W. (2020, April). The Implicit Curriculum and International Students in Graduate Social Work: The Role of Emotional Labor. Presented virtually at the 7^th Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference, Millersville, PA.

• Frank, J. M; Granruth, L. B. and Ogongi, W. (2019, November). Joining the Conversation: Using Technology to Enhance Student Engagement in Policy Practice. The Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) 65^th Annual Program Meeting, Denver, Colorado.

• Ogongi, W., Tharaka University–Millersville University Student Research Collaborative. (2026, June). Global Insights, Local Impact: A Collaborative Cultural Adaptation of Youth Wellbeing Assessments. Presentation at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026), Nairobi, Kenya. 

• Thorwart, M., & Ogongi, W. (2026, June). Harambee for Holistic Wellbeing: Interconnecting Dimensions of Wellness for Sustainable Futures. Presentation at the Joint World Conference on Social Work, Education and Social Development (SWSD 2026), Nairobi, Kenya. 

• Kaphalanya, & Ogongi, W. (2025, March). Bridging Digital Divides: Empowering Women through Digital Literacy in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa. The 12^th Annual Global Well-Being and Social Change Conference. Millersville, PA. 

• Gitau, M. & Ogongi, W. (2024, October). Integrating African and Native American Indigenous Knowledge Systems for Peace Building and Conflict The Council for Social Work Education (CSWE) 70^th Annual Program Meeting, Kansas City, MO.

Recent Achievements:

• Project partner on the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW)-funded initiative Re-Imagining Social Work Education and Research in Kenya and Beyond

• Editorial Board member of the Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development;

• Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow

• Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Biannual Social Work & Multidisciplinary International Conference in Narok, Kenya

• Leadership of collaborative research and academic partnerships with Tharaka University, Maasai Mara University, and Moi University in Kenya, advancing social work education, student mentorship, international research, and scholarly exchange