Humans of UK: Kondwani Phwandaphwanda combines creativity and education

By Ziada Bell-Frantz features@kykernel.com

This is Humans of UK, inspired by the Humans of New York Instagram series by photographer and author Brandon Stanton. This series dives into the individuals of UK as well as their stories, strifes and passions.

Kondwani Phwandaphwanda, or as his students and colleagues know him, Dr. K, is not only a fierce educator but a passionate musician and a talented soccer player.

Hailing from Malawi, Africa, Phwandaphwanda traveled to the United States in 1995 to pursue his graduate education at the University of Arkansas and has since found his home in Lexington, Kentucky.

ing the needs of students,” he said.

According to Phwandaphwanda, the reason he loves his job so much starts with the understanding that “college is a new experience,” and his goal is to make each student feel at home at University of Kentucky and like they have someone they know they can count on.

Outside of work, Phwandaphwanda enjoys making and producing his own music, as well as playing soccer.

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The revised bill redefined what devices would qualify under the ban.

The bill was amended “to prohibit the use of TikTok on any device connected to a network owned, operated, or under the control of the Commonwealth Office of Technology and the legislative branch of state government,” the Kentucky General

Assembly’s website said.

After the bill’s third reading, it passed with a 31-0 vote.

UK students had mixed opinions on the bill.

Tenise Hughes, a freshman business management major at UK, said that if someone is older than 16, they should have access to TikTok.

“If your government is preaching freedom of speech, why are you trying to stop people from expressing themselves,” Hughes said.

On the contrary, Bryce Brodbeck, a junior information communication technology major, said that the ban is beneficial.

“It’s kind of a distraction I think in my opinion. That’s why I’m not really on it myself too much,” Brodbeck said. “It will definitely help people focus more on real-life things than stuff that’s going on on your phones.”

According to Marci Adams, the Assistant Director of Communications & Strategic Engagement for UK’s Information Technology Services, UK Information Technology Services (ITS) is UK’s Wi-Fi provider and it is owned and operated by UK ITS. The bill will not apply to UK’s Wi-Fi because it is not controlled by the Commonwealth Office of Technology and the legislative branch of state government.

As the director of college life for the University of Kentucky Lewis Honors College, Phwandaphwanda has the unique opportunity of orchestrating orientations for new college students, giving them the first taste of their college experience.

“Everything from orientation, reaching out to students over the summer to connect them with their peers, this time of year is my favorite because for the first time these students are beginning to transi- tion from high school, leaving things behind and connecting with each other,” he said.

Coming to the United States as an international student proved very difficult for Phwandaphwanda. Everything from the language to the food, and even the weather arose a new set of challenges. Having to learn a new culture and a new education system became the most challenging, he said.

Growing up in Malawi, English wasn’t something Phwandaphwanda was introduced to, so he said he usually memorized what he was told for exams.

“When I came to the United States, that had to shift into understanding things and applying them,” he said.

The language barrier forced Phwandaphwanda to push himself to learn something new in order to further his education.

Having earned multiple degrees, ranging from master’s in music education and political science to a doctorate in education, Phwandaphwanda uses his experiences coming from Malawi as a student to fuel his mantra for education.

“It starts with understand-

Playing instruments such as guitar, various percussion and singing, he enjoys writing traditional songs with roots in Malawi that he grew up around. Phwandaphwanda has his own Soundcloud on which he produces all the content on his own.

In addition to his artistic side, Phwandaphwanda loves taking to the soccer field and playing midfielder. A unique left footed kicker, Phwandaphwanda said he uses his skills by coaching youth soccer.

He said he tries to inspire and fuel the passions of those around him.

“Be open to other people’s ideas,” he said. “There’s a reason why we get in classrooms as students; be open to learning and growing from each other.”

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