9. Victor Ukpolo
Ukpolo is most known for his efforts in restoring SUNO to operation after Hurricane Katrina, specifically his role in obtaining funds for SUNO’s recovery, including $44 million for student housing, $32 million for classroom buildings, and various grants for other academic purposes.
In 2012 the Carnegie Corporation selected Ukpolo as one of 45 naturalised citizens of the United States for Carnegie’s Americans by Choic award.) Ukpolo came to the United States at age 23 as a student at the University of Maryland at College Park from which he received his bachelor’s degree .
To finance his education, he worked in a restaurant washing dishes and drove taxicabs in the District of Columbia. He received his master’s degree and Ph.D. from American University in the nation’s capital.
From there he steadily climbed through various assignments and challenges to the chancellorship at SUNO. He is thought to be the first native–born Nigerian to head a university in the United States.
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