Professor Joyce J. Agalo was appointed Vice-Chancellor of Machakos University in July 2023. She is a distinguished Professor of Education and an accomplished Instructional Designer, bringing over 25 years of experience in academia, research, and the supervision of both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Prof. Agalo holds a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from Kenyatta University, a Master of Librarianship in Media Technology from the University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UK), and a Ph.D. in Educational Communication and Technology from Moi University, with part of her doctoral research conducted at FerUniversitat, Hagen, Germany. She is also an alumna of the Management of Higher Education Institutes Programme at Galilee International Management Institute (Israel) and the International Women’s University (ifu), Hamburg, Germany.

She has a rich background in university leadership and management, having served in several senior roles. Notably, she was the Deputy Vice-Chancellor, Academic and Student Affairs at Machakos University from February 2017 to February 2023. During her tenure, she spearheaded several transformative initiatives, including:

• Implementation of a digital I-Voting system for student elections, developed by a Machakos University student.
• Accreditation of various academic programmes.
• Establishment of the University’s Career Services Department.
• Establishment of Open and Distance Learning (ODeL) Directorate
• Establishment of TVET Directorate
• She supervised five (5) successful graduations and has continued to supervise three graduations as a Vice-Chancellor

Prof. Agalo has also served as a Trustee of the Machakos Retirement Benefits Scheme for six years, the Founding Director of the Institute of Open and Distance Learning (IODL) at Moi University, and as a member of the National Open University Taskforce, gazetted under Gazette Notice No. 398 of 17th January 2014. She was also a Senate Representative in the inaugural Council of Rongo University.

She is an active member of several professional bodies, including the African Council for Distance Education (ACDE), the Open and E-Learning Practitioners’ Association of Kenya (DOLPAK), and the African Network for Internationalization of Education (ANIE).

A passionate researcher and academic leader, Prof. Agalo has published extensively in the areas of leadership, management and administration, open and distance learning, education, gender and information technology, media, and communication. She remains committed to mentoring both staff and students and continues to contribute to the advancement of higher education in Kenya and beyond.

Her passion for students and commitment to inclusive learning environments have guided many of her leadership decisions. Recognizing the challenges faced by student mothers and female staff, Prof. Agalo spearheaded the establishment of a crèche at Machakos University. This facility provides a safe, nurturing, and accessible childcare solution, enabling student-parents and working mothers to pursue academic and professional excellence without compromising their parental responsibilities.

To enhance campus safety and security, she initiated the construction of Phases I and II of the University’s Perimeter Wall. This critical infrastructure project addresses safety concerns related to the institution’s growth and its urban environment, offering protection for students, staff, and property by restricting unauthorized access and deterring potential threats.

Further demonstrating her commitment to student and community welfare, Prof. Agalo led the acquisition of a fully equipped modern ambulance. This milestone greatly improves the University’s emergency medical response capacity, enhancing healthcare support for both students and staff on campus and in surrounding communities.

As a visionary leader, Prof. Agalo has prioritized strengthening the University’s academic infrastructure. Aware of the institution’s limitations in accommodating interdisciplinary teaching and learning—particularly in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM)—she is currently overseeing the completion of a modern tuition block. This state-of-the-art facility will house both an Innovation Hub and a STEM Complex, designed to promote advanced academic delivery, foster research and innovation, and prepare students to thrive in a competitive, technology-driven global economy.