Festus C. Ainoo, M.Ed., M.A.
PhD Student in Higher Education, Student Affairs, & International Education Policy | International Education Mentor
Meet Festus Cobena Ainoo
Festus Cobena Ainoo is a scholar-practitioner and educator committed to expanding educational access, strengthening student success, and creating higher education environments where students can belong and thrive. He is currently a Ph.D. student in Higher Education, Student Affairs, and International Education Policy at the University of Maryland, College Park, where he also serves as an Instructor and Graduate Coordinator in the Leadership Studies Program within Leadership & Community Service-Learning (LCSL) at the Adele H. Stamp Student Union.
His research interests include religion and spirituality in higher education, international student experiences, leadership development, college access, student success and retention, STEM education, and High-Impact Practices (HIPs) in higher education. He is particularly interested in understanding how students’ identities and lived experiences shape their sense of belonging, access to opportunities, and persistence within higher education.
Festus’s professional journey spans Ghana and the United States, with experience in college teaching, academic advising, residential life, student affairs, orientation and transition programs, and leadership development. Beyond his institutional roles, he is the Founder and Executive Director of the Ubuntu Rising Scholars Program, an initiative that has supported nearly 3,882+ international students in securing F-1 visas to pursue higher education in the United States. He is also the founder of the International Scholars Research & Writing Society (ISRWS), which supports international graduate students through research development, scholarly writing, mentorship, and professional development.
Guided by the belief that talent exists everywhere, but opportunity and mentorship do not, Festus is committed to helping students access and navigate opportunities that can transform their educational journeys. His long-term goal is to become a faculty member in Higher Education and Student Affairs, integrating research, teaching, mentorship, and practice to expand educational opportunity and help students and communities flourish.
