Education
- BBA, University of Liberia
- BS, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities
- MSC, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
- MA, Saint Marys University Of Minnesota
- PHD, University Of North Dakota-Main Campus
Saah Kpakar is a highly motivated professional and educator driven by the belief that teaching offers an opportunity to develop future leaders and promote societal development and progress. With a firm commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, Saah believes that teaching provides personal gratification and a sense of civic responsibility to empower individuals from diverse backgrounds while building a fairer and more inclusive society. As an immigrant from his native country Liberia, Saah sees education as a pathway for creating a more equitable society and providing opportunities for individuals. His teaching philosophy is centered around creating equitable learning environments for all students and expanding opportunities for Adult Learners to thrive.
Saah’s academic journey is reflected in his passion for continuous learning and professional development. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Accounting from the University of Liberia and a Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in Business and Marketing from the University of Minnesota. He earned three master’s degrees from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota: M.B.A. (Master of Business Administration) in Finance, MSc. (Master of Science) in Project Management, and MA (Master of Arts) in Educational Leadership. Currently, Saah is on the verge of completing his Ph.D. in Higher Education at the University of North Dakota, with his dissertation focusing on the topic: “A Phenomenological Study on the Motivations of African Immigrant Adult Learners to Attend Community Colleges in Minnesota.”
Drawing from his global, cultural, humble, and diversified professional background, Saah incorporates real-world experiences into his teaching approach, with a focus on providing students with practical and experiential learning opportunities. Saah has held various junior and senior level roles in corporate and governmental working environments, including working as a Senior Sourcing & Procurement Manager (and Information Technology Project Manager) at UnitedHealth Group (UHG), Senior Strategic Sourcing Manager at United Natural Foods Inc. (UNFI), Senior Sourcing Manager at Eastman Chemical, and Sourcing Specialist at Ecolab. His extensive financial background also includes working at the Minnesota Department of Revenue as a Revenue Tax Auditor, Wells Fargo Bank and US Bank as a Mortgage Loan Specialist, Project Accountant with a World Bank project at the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), and banker at Access Banker Liberia and Eco Bank Liberia. Saah's diverse experience have equipped him with valuable insights that enrich his teaching methodologies.
Saah's overwhelming dedication to education extends beyond the classroom. Having witnessed the challenges faced by underserved communities firsthand during his upbringing in his native country Liberia, he is deeply committed to the mission of North Hennepin Community College. He comes to North Hennepin with years of experience teaching in Liberia, a 3rd world country, where he grew up, having seen first-hand the devastating effects of poverty, deprived educational environment, and inaccessibility of instructional and digital technology. Saah’s teaching experience in Liberia enables him to understand the profound impact of economic hardship and educational barriers on youth and adult learners. He understands the pervasive grip and impact these challenges have on the youth and adult learners. Saah's empathy and firsthand lived experiences of these challenges drive his passion for empowering students and promoting an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
Saah’s teaching experience also includes teaching as Adjunct Faculty in the Business Program at the University of Massachussets Global (or UmassGlobal), the Graduate School of Business at Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota, and Software Instructor & Training Coordinator at Cheale Vocational Training Institute in Monrovia Liberia. Saah also enjoys volunteering in the community including serving as a Board Member (and Project Manager) with the Center of Immigrant Career Advancement (CICA), a former Board Member at Uniting Distant Stars, and an Executive Committee Member of Inner Circle Basketball Team in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Outside of academia, Saah enjoys spending time with his family, traveling, and pursuing his interests in sports, especially playing basketball and being an enthusiastic soccer fan, where he ardently supports FC Barcelona Soccer Team.