The life of Columbia Southern University alumnus Dr. Alhagie A. Mbye is a testament to how far you can go by believing in yourself. From immigrant to soldier to scholar, Alhagie’s journey is one defined by resilience, service and lifelong learning.
A native of The Gambia in West Africa, Alhagie has established an impressive career in many different areas, including service in the U.S. Army, university professor and award-winning journalist, with six academic degrees and several graduate and postgraduate certificates.
His educational background includes criminal justice, intelligence studies, international relations, philosophy, public policy and administration.
“I view education as an ongoing process of growth and inquiry,” he said. “Completing my MPA at CSU marked a decisive milestone in that journey, one that propelled me toward advanced doctoral study and expanded research into civil–military relations, governance and democratic transitions.”
“The CSU experience provided more than a credential; it instilled the confidence to aspire higher and the intellectual discipline to make a meaningful contribution to both scholarship and the practice of public service.”
From Gratitude to Military Service
Alhagie arrived in the United States in 2008. He found work as a grocery store clerk and a gas station customer service representative shortly after his arrival. Prior to starting college, he also served as editor for the Raleigh-based Freedom Newspaper, a publication founded and owned by his brother.
“When I arrived in the United States in 2008, [my brother] was in his final year of college studying mass communication and required additional editorial support,” he said. “I joined him to help strengthen the newspaper’s editorial operations, a role I served in for approximately six months before stepping away to focus fully on my academic commitments.”
Near completion of his degree, he withdrew to enlist in the military as a way of giving back to his adopted country.
“In 2011, I made the life-changing decision to pause my studies and enlist in the U.S. Army,” he said. “I joined the Army not only to serve, but to give back to the country that gave me a second chance.”
Since then, Alhagie has served with honor for 14 years, including three deployments to the Middle East, two tours in Europe and one tour in Asia. While serving, he reignited his academic ambitions, earning his Master of Public Administration, a graduate certificate in public administration and the Servant Leadership Advanced Certificate from CSU in 2018.
Balancing Military Duties and Academics
During multiple deployments, pursuing a degree requires a commitment that is challenging yet possible with devotion.
“As both a soldier and a scholar, I have often balanced military operations with academic study,” he said. “This dual journey has been demanding, yet it illustrates that dedication and perseverance make it possible to serve one’s country while advancing intellectually.”
His time in the military ultimately led him to CSU.
“I first learnt of CSU through colleagues in the military who spoke persuasively of its accessibility, high standards and genuine commitment to adult learners balancing multiple responsibilities,” he said. “While deployed, I balanced my academic studies through deliberate time management. I used evenings, off-duty hours and periods of operational downtime to read, write and complete coursework, treating education as a professional responsibility alongside my military duties.”
“Coming from a less privileged background, I have never taken the opportunity to attend college lightly; I regard it as both a responsibility and a privilege that demands seriousness, discipline and full commitment.”
An Extensive Journalism Career
Alhagie’s career in journalism began in 2000 when he was teenager. His early interest in the field stemmed from a deep fascination with justice, accountability and the power of information in shaping society. He started working as a freelance reporter for state and private newspapers, including The Gambia Daily, The Daily Observer and The Point.
“Balancing school and newsroom work, I was already filing stories and learning the discipline of reporting at an age when most of my contemporaries were still discovering their interests,” he said.
In addition to journalism, he was deeply involved in student leadership and civic life at Gambia High School, which provided the necessary skills he would need to become a successful journalist. Alongside his many roles in high school, he served as editor-in-chief of the school newsletter.
“These roles sharpened my communication skills, leadership capabilities and sense of public responsibility long before I formally entered the profession,” he said. “Growing up in The Gambia during periods of political repression, I witnessed firsthand how the absence of a free press and weak justice systems adversely affected ordinary citizens. Journalism became a vehicle for giving voice to the voiceless, while criminal justice appealed to my interest in law, order and institutional accountability.”
Journalism in the Political Realm
Alhagie is no stranger to covering political events. His journalism career includes extensive coverage of major national and international events. He was accredited by the Independent Electoral Commission to cover parliamentary elections, presidential elections and the inauguration of President Yahya Jammeh. He covered the International Roots Homecoming Festival, the Miss Black USA Beauty Pageant, and the Grand Magal of Touba in Senegal, the largest Muslim gathering in Africa.
Most notably, he covered the 2006 African Union Heads of State Summit in Banjul, where he conducted face-to-face interviews and interacted directly with African presidents and world leaders, marking a defining moment in his professional career.
In recognition of his professional standing, he was later selected by the United States Department of State to participate in the International Visitor Leadership Program. This opportunity enabled him to closely observe and cover the 2008 United States presidential elections from within the American democratic process.
“As part of the International Visitor Leadership Program, we traveled to several major U.S. cities, including Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Portland, Kansas City and Orlando,” he explained. “During these visits, we engaged extensively with voters, pollsters, political leaders, scholars and policy experts. We also visited Harvard University and several other institutions, where we participated in roundtable discussions with scholars and policymakers.”
“These experiences provided me with a front row view of the U.S. electoral process and its political institutions. I covered the campaigns of the late Senator John McCain, Rudy Giuliani, Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton.”
Resilience Through Personal Loss
Alongside his many accomplishments and awards, Alhagie forged ahead with his education despite personal loss. In 2018, he lost his elder sister during a period of intense academic and professional responsibility. In 2021, while deployed in the Middle East, he lost two of his brothers to COVID-19, a tragedy compounded by distance and military duty. During the final stage of his doctoral dissertation, his uncle passed away only days before submission.
Despite significant personal loss, he completed his doctoral work on schedule, maintaining focus and professional discipline.
“Remaining focused on my studies during periods of personal loss required discipline, faith and a strong sense of purpose,” he said. “Education became both an anchor and a source of resilience, and I viewed academic progress as a way of honoring the sacrifices and memories of loved ones I had lost.”
The American Dream is Alive and Well
Today, Alhagie is an adjunct assistant professor of political science at the University of Maryland Global Campus. He is also the author of the book, “Seizing the State: The Military, Politics, and Power in The Gambia.” He credits CSU with laying the foundation for his academic and professional growth, and his journey stands as a testament to perseverance, leadership and the power of education.
“The benefits have been manifold,” he said. “Professionally, the program enhanced my capacity for policy analysis, sharpened my leadership skills, and gave me a wider perspective on governance and institutional reform. Personally, it instilled in me a profound respect for perseverance, intellectual humility and the pursuit of knowledge as a lifelong vocation.”
Alhagie’s journey affirms that the American Dream is not only alive but attainable through discipline, education and unwavering commitment. From teenage reporter to senior editor, award-winning journalist, soldier, scholar and educator, his journey reflects a life defined not solely by achievement, but by resilience, discipline and sustained service across journalism, military duty and higher education.
“I wanted to highlight my journey as a CSU alumnus who benefited greatly from the education I received at Columbia Southern University,” he said. “I share this not to boast, but to serve as an inspiration that the American Dream is still alive, that with perseverance and hard work, we can all achieve our goals. Not all universities deliver on their promises, but while others talk the talk, CSU truly walks the walk. For that, I remain profoundly grateful.”
Disclaimer: These testimonials may not reflect the experience of all CSU students.
Multiple factors, including prior experience, geography, and degree field, affect career outcomes.
CSU does not guarantee a job, promotion, salary increase, eligibility for a position, or other career growth.
