Dr. Kafui Kouakou offers a wide range of premium consulting services with the necessary tools and expertise to help develop young adults and all professionals into successful leaders. From start to finish, he focuses on the needs of each client and tailors a customized session that supports the growth of each individual or team. His approach to leadership and professional development is grounded first and foremost in his 15 years of experience practicing leadership at various levels in addition to using leadership theory, leadership development theory, applied learning theory, and experiential learning theory. Contact him to learn more.
Photo credit Arpi Pap
ABOUT ME
Life Mission Statement
To educate and inspire others to achieve their God-given potentials.
Personal Vision Statement
Be a caring, loving, successful, and well respected leader who makes a difference in the world through education.
Biography
Kafui Kouakou, B.B.A, B.S., M.S., EdD, is the Assistant Vice President of Career Development and Experiential Learning at Quinnipiac University. Prior to Quinnipiac University, he was the Dean and Executive Director of the School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement at Albion College where he developed strategic goals for the implementation of Albion College Experiential Learning Certificates and Innovation Badges in addition to overseeing several institutes, centers and programs such as:
-The Gerstacker Institute for Business and Management
-The Wilson Institute for Medicine
-The Ford Institute for Leadership and Policy
- The James Curtis Institute for Race and Belonging
-The Center for Sustainability and the Environment
-The Whitehouse Nature Center
-The Career and Internship Center
-The Albion College Community and Collaboration Program
-The Social Innovation Fellow Program
-The Bonner Build Albion Fellows Program
-The AmeriCorps Program
Prior to Albion, he was the University Associate Director for the office of Continuing Education and Workforce Programs in the Office of Academic Affairs at the City University of New York (CUNY). In that capacity, he directed various experiential learning initiatives that included the CUNY Cultural Corps and CUNY Service Corps programs in addition to co-managing the CUNY Edward T. Rogowsky Internship Program in Government and Public Affairs. He also managed the Program for Dreamers at the CUNY and THEDREAM.US scholarship relationship with the national foundation in addition to serving on the Adult Learner initiative steering committee and Experiential Learning committee at the university.
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Dr. Kouakou also currently serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in Economics at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (SPS). He served as an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Business and Economics department at York College where he has also served in various other capacities notably as the Head Coach of women and men’s soccer teams, the Co-Advisor of the National Society of Leadership and Success (York Chapter), Faculty Advisor for the African Students and the Caribbean Students Associations, and an adjunct lecturer in the Mathematics and the Health and Physical Education Departments. Dr. Kouakou is a former CUNY Trustee Ex Officio and Chairperson of the University Student Senate (USS). He is also the former Chairman of the Board of Director for the Council of Young African Leader.
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Dr. Kouakou graduated from the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University where he obtained a doctorate in Higher Education Administration with a focus on experiential learning and its impact on professional success. Previously, he attended Brooklyn College and graduated with his Masters in Business-Economics. Dr. Kouakou started his undergraduate studies at York College where he graduated with honors, receiving two bachelor degrees, one in Business Administration and the other in Mathematics. He won two CUNY Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) soccer championships (one as a coach and one as a player) and was a member of the CUNYAC Goodwill tour team that traveled to South Africa to promote the university, through clinics and community service. While having a successful intercollegiate athletics career, Dr. Kouakou also served in several student leadership roles both at the graduate and undergraduate levels.
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In June 2016, Dr. Kouakou returned to his alma mater where he delivered the keynote address at the York College Student Government Association Annual Award ceremony. Since then, he has continued to give back to various student groups at CUNY by delivering leadership and professional development workshops ranging from the art of effective communication, giving and receiving feedback, resume and cover letter writing, to emotional intelligence awareness and its use in navigating complex situations.
MY SERVICES
All my services are rooted in the belief that each individual, when provided with the right tools, has the potential to be a great leader and should aspire for greatness. Hence, I live by the following quote everyday: “The greater danger for most of us lies not in setting our aim too high and falling short; but in setting our aim too low, and achieving our mark.” Michelangelo. As leaders or aspiring leaders, we should always set our aim very high and seek excellency while celebrating our small achievements every step of the way. I will provide you with the necessary tools that you need to reach your full potential as a leader and a successful professional.
Leadership Development
Discover your leadership style and abilities. Are you looking to explore and/or improve any of the following leadership style:
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Centered leadership
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Facilitative leadership
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Servant leadership
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Shared leadership
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Situational leadership
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Strategic leadership
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Traditional leadership
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Transformational leadership
Team Development
Grow and set your team up for success:
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Build team dynamic
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Identify individual personalities and how they work well together
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Develop strategic thinking
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Develop strategic planning
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Effective Execution of team projects
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Workshops
I deliver the interactive workshops below listed based on my clients' needs. Please contact me for more information on each of these sessions or any new session(s) you would like me to design for you.
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Foundation of leadership
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Habits of successful leaders
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Leading with purpose
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Public speaking
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The art of effective communication
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Emotional intelligence and its use
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Giving and receiving feedback
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Conflict management
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Strategic thinking
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Project management
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Employability skills development
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Motivational Speech
Looking for ways to motivate professionals and group of aspiring leaders? A motivational speech session will:
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Help individuals to explore their leadership journey
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Discover their identity
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Boost individual and team confidence
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Inspire a group of professionals
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Inspire a group of leaders and/or aspiring leaders
List of Clients
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Dutchess Community College CSTEP
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Federation of Bangladeshi Associations in North America (FOBANA)
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Hostos Community College Student Government Association
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Hostos Student Leadership Academy
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New York City College of Technology Student Government Association
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Public Allies New York (PANY)
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The School for Public Purpose and Professional Advancement at Albion College
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The City College of New York Urban Mentoring and Achievement Network (UMANN)
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The University Student Senate (USS) at the City University of New York
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York College Student Government Association
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York College Center for Leadership, Service and Civic Engagement