Profile
Mrs. Theodora Oduro is the Senior Assistant Registrar and the Head of the Office of Student Support and Financial Services (SSFS) under the Directorate of Student Affairs (DoSA) at KNUST, a position she has held since March 2019. She is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP) and is currently pursuing further certifications to become an Organisational Development (OD) consultant. She had over 18 years of hands-on experience with managing projects in addition to managerial, facilitative, and administrative roles before she transitioned to her current role as Registrar at the University in 2016, where she continues to support the management of projects.
She holds a First Degree in Sociology and Law (1994), a Postgraduate Diploma in Industrial Management (1997), and an MSc in Development Planning and Management (2002). Additionally, in December 2009, she earned a Master Certificate in Applied Project Management from Villanova University in Tampa, Florida, USA. As a member of both the global and Ghana chapters of the Project Management Institute, Mrs. Oduro also serves as a part-time Facilitator with the Department of Construction Technology Management for the MSc Project Management programme.
In her role as Senior Assistant Registrar at the University, Mrs. Oduro actively contributes to the development and evaluation of academic and administrative policies. She makes informed recommendations for changes to the relevant committees, ensuring that the institution remains aligned with best practices. Furthermore, she oversees compliance with all academic, regulatory, and accreditation standards, playing a crucial role in maintaining the University's integrity and reputation.
Mrs. Oduro excels at fostering effective and productive relationships within project teams, contributing significantly to team motivation. Her expertise encompasses human capital development, moderation of corporate programmes, facilitation, presentations, and training tailored for target groups. With exceptional time management and self-organisational skills, she demonstrates a high level of organisation and takes the initiative in leadership roles. Mrs. Oduro is passionate about sharing her project management knowledge and expereince with her audience and team members, aiming for the successful adoption and utilisation of project management tools and techniques for everyday professional work schedules. Her commitment drives both administrative efficiency and overall project success.
As the Team Leader at the Office of Student Support and Financial Services (SSFS), she expertly oversees the advertisement, planning, implementation, and coordination of more than 16 scholarships and bursaries managed by the Office and the Directorate of Student Affairs. Her leadership ensures that these scholarships are effectively publicized, applicants are carefully shortlisted and interviewed, and successful candidates are presented for financial support. Additionally, she proactively updates scholarship providers with comprehensive reports on the performance of beneficiaries while actively seeking and soliciting funds to further support students. In her role, she also serves as the Secretary to the Student Financial Services Board, which is chaired by the Pro Vice-Chancellor, contributing to strategic financial decisions that enhance student opportunities.
Mrs. Oduro is a key figure in the coordination and management of the KNUST Freshers Virtual Orientation, which operates under the esteemed Chairmanship of the Deputy Director of DoSA and the ultimate guidance of the Vice-Chancellor. Since its inception during the 2020/2021 academic year, she has also served as the host and moderator of the programme. Additionally, she has been instrumental in organising the Safe Arrival and Freshers Orientation programmes, which are essential activities designed to ensure the smooth transition of newly admitted students to the university. Her leadership and dedication have significantly enhanced the experience of incoming students at KNUST.
She actively seeks support from the university community and philanthropists while overseeing the KNUST Food and Clothing Bank, which is dedicated to aiding needy students in their essential quest for sustenance. Collaborating closely with the Head of the Quality Assurance and Planning Office (QAPO) and the staff of the University Relations Office (URO), she leads in advertising the initiative, shortlisting candidates, organising selection interviews, and compiling results for the Vice-Chancellor's initiative, "Support One Needy Student with One Laptop" project, commonly known as the SONSOL Project, which has been in operation since the 2021/2022 academic year. Moreover, she plays a pivotal role in planning the award ceremony at the Great Hall.
She plays a pivotal role in the planning and execution of student elections across all major colleges, including the SRC, GRASAG, and NUGS elections. Furthermore, she takes the lead in organising and implementing training programs for newly elected Student Leaders. Her unwavering support for the leaders of various Student Associations highlights her commitment to fostering student governance. Additionally, her office facilitates the issuance of Introductory Letters for students’ Visa Applications and collaborates with the Ghana Immigration Service to streamline the process of obtaining Resident Permits for international students, ensuring a smooth transition for all.
Before her transfer to the Office of Student Support and Financial Services, Mrs. Theodora Oduro served as the Zonal Coordinator for the Midland Zone at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) Institute of Distance Learning (IDL). In this role, she was instrumental in delivering essential academic and administrative support services to both students and at the study centers within her zone. Her responsibilities included monitoring activities and providing strategic direction to ensure the smooth operation of the zone. She ensured that facilitators were appointed for all courses and were present for their scheduled sessions. Additionally, Mrs. Oduro managed the logistics necessary for facilitators to effectively fulfil their duties and served as the Secretary to several important committees, including those focused on the development and assessment of new programs and curriculum review.
Prior to her role at KNUST-IDL, Theodora served as the Coordinator of the Centre for Leadership and Professional Development (CLPD) at Christian Service University in Kumasi. She also held the position of Projects Manager at KITE, a prominent NGO focused on energy and climate change based in Accra.