Glidden Visiting Professor Odirile helps establish experiential learning partnership with Botswana

Dr. Lucky Wakantse Odirile, director of The Careers and Counselling Centre at the University of Botswana, is completing her first semester at Ohio University as a Robert and Rene Glidden Visiting Professor in The Patton College of Education. She is here for the 2021-22 academic year.

Odirile has more than 25 years of experience in counselor education and mental health issues. She is working with Professor Mona Robinson and other Patton College faculty to co-teach in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education. In these courses, Odirile will share her multicultural concepts and experience to help students continue building inclusive multicultural learning environments in a world that is becoming increasingly more diverse.

She has been invited more than five times by Ohio University, as well as internationally, to teach the course, “The Impact of HIV and AIDS on Education and Development.” In 2009, she was awarded Ohio University’s Patton College of Education George E. Hill Memorial Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Service and Leadership in Counseling. This November she also received Ohio University’s Alumni Award for Excellence in Global Engagement.

“The Glidden professorship enables OHIO and the University of Botswana to partner on a study abroad program that will provide experiential learning opportunities for our students,” Dr. Sara Helfrich, interim dean of The Patton College, said. “Dr. Odirile is instrumental in the development of this partnership and its recruitment efforts, and her expertise will accelerate this collaboration.”

As part of this collaboration, Odirile works with the Office of Global Affairs and International Studies on the Global Collaboration Online International Learning (COIL) initiative. She also assists the Global Leadership Center with global professional development workshops and the GLOBE project focusing on leadership in Botswana.

Odirile graduated with a degree in English and Counseling from the University of Botswana, followed by a master’s and doctoral degree in Counselor Education and Supervision from Ohio University’s Patton College. In 2020, after COVID-19 was declared an international crisis, Odirile was chosen to lead the University of Botswana Psychosocial and Mental Health team, which worked with both the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Local Government to attend to the nation’s frontline mental health and psychosocial needs. Odirile will share her knowledge in discussions with different groups at Ohio University, including the Ohio University Africa Series and the Alpha Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota. 

Because of Odirile’s significant experience and reach in Student Affairs, she has also been involved in Residence Life as Faculty-in-Residence, serving Jefferson and Johnson halls. She interacts with students as a source of support and a catalyst for building positive, diverse, and global awareness in residence life.

“Dr. Odirile is a globally sought-after trainer on emotional intelligence, mindset, self-awareness, peer counseling and advising, graduate employability, and team building,” Dr. Connie Patterson, associate dean for academic engagement and outreach within The Patton College, said. “As an alumna, Dr. Odirile’s familiarity with OHIO has accelerated her ability to collaborate with faculty and graduate students regarding these issues.”

The Robert and Rene Glidden Visiting Professorship supports short-term academic appointments for distinguished visitors to Ohio University. The purpose of the professorship is to expose Ohio University students and faculty to outstanding individuals and make such individuals aware of the strengths and resources of Ohio University. Glidden Professors are expected to be distinguished individuals who have attained wide recognition based upon their artistic, engineering, historical, literary, or scientific achievement.