A Reflection on President Joseph N. Boakai’s Appointment of Dr. Layli Maparyan as President of the University of Liberia: Questions of Sovereignty, Identity, and National Pride
By Timothy Dixon
The recent appointment of Dr. Layli Maparyan, an American scholar, as the 16th President of the University of Liberia by President Joseph N. Boakai has stirred the waters of national discourse. While her credentials are impressive, and her professional accolades are undeniably noteworthy, the core of the conversation transcends her qualifications—it digs deep into the soul of Liberia’s identity, sovereignty, and self-determination.
The Charter and Its Interpretation: Can a Foreigner Lead the University of Liberia?
The University of Liberia’s Charter, under Article IV, Section 1, gives the Visitor to the University—in this case, President Boakai—the power to nominate the President of the University for approval by the Board of Trustees. But here lies a critical question: Did the Charter explicitly state or imply that a non-Liberian can assume this revered position?
If silence exists on this matter in the Charter, does that automatically justify this appointment? Shouldn’t such ambiguity, when it concerns a symbol of national identity like the University of Liberia, default to the preservation of national interests?
This appointment, though legally defensible, raises concerns that cannot be brushed aside with procedural arguments. It touches the nerve of a nation struggling to redefine itself in a post-conflict era—where every institution must serve as a foundation for Liberian identity and empowerment.
The Timing and Speed of the Appointment
President Boakai nominated Dr. Maparyan on December 18, 2024. Just five days later, on December 23, 2024, the Board of Trustees unanimously approved her nomination. In such a short window, were there exhaustive consultations? Were Liberian candidates given equal consideration?
Leadership transitions in prestigious institutions demand meticulous scrutiny, transparency, and extensive engagement with stakeholders. Was this done? Or was this a decision driven by expediency rather than deliberation?
These questions are not meant to undermine Dr. Maparyan’s qualifications but to interrogate the process and intent behind her selection.
Her Qualifications vs. the Liberian Context
Dr. Layli Maparyan’s academic achievements are commendable—a Ph.D. in Psychology from Temple University, an M.S. from Penn State University, and an undergraduate degree cum laude from Spelman College. She is also the Executive Director of the Wellesley Centers for Women and a Professor of Africana Studies.
But Liberia is not lacking in intellectual capital. Our country has produced distinguished scholars, both at home and in the diaspora. Are we to believe that among our professors, academic leaders, and cultural custodians, not one could rise to lead the University of Liberia?
If the reasoning behind appointing Dr. Maparyan lies in her expertise in Psychology, are we suggesting that Liberian Ph.D. holders in Psychology—both at home and abroad—are insufficient or unqualified?
It is not enough to say she is married to a Liberian or that she spent time in Liberia as a Fulbright Specialist. Marriage does not transfer cultural immersion, nor does a temporary academic fellowship instill a deep-rooted understanding of Liberia’s complexities.
Tone and Convincing Narrative in the Appointment Letter
The letter from the Office of the President makes a calculated effort to justify Dr. Maparyan’s appointment by emphasizing her ties to Liberia:
A. “She is married to a Liberian.”
B. “She served as a Fulbright Specialist in Liberia in 2010.”
C. “She has received awards for service to the Liberian community.”
These points, while intended to reassure the public, inadvertently expose the insecurities underlying the appointment. If her qualifications and experience alone were sufficient, why lean so heavily on her relational and historical ties to Liberia?
It feels like an admission that her foreign status is a glaring issue, one that needed dressing with contextual justifications.
Sovereignty and National Pride: A Lyrical Appeal
The University of Liberia is not just an academic institution. It is a symbol of Liberia’s intellectual sovereignty, a citadel where national pride meets knowledge and wisdom. Its leader is not just an administrator but a custodian of Liberia’s soul.
This appointment, whether intentionally or not, sends a dangerous signal: that even in our most sacred spaces, we must look outward for leadership and validation.
What message does this send to our youth—to the young girl in Gbarnga who dreams of one day leading her nation’s most prestigious university? What does it tell the professor in Monrovia who has dedicated decades to shaping young minds?
Are we saying, without saying it directly, that Liberian excellence is not enough? That our brightest stars must forever look up to foreign skies for guidance?
If sovereignty has a face, it must reflect the image of those it represents. If pride has a voice, it must echo in the tongues of those who know the weight of Liberia’s struggles and dreams.
The Bigger Picture: What Lies Ahead?
Today, it is the University of Liberia. Tomorrow, will it be the Central Bank? Will it be our ministries, our courts, our legislature? Where does it end?
Nations do not lose sovereignty overnight; it slips away in incremental compromises, each one justified with the language of pragmatism and inevitability.
This is not a rejection of Dr. Layli Maparyan. It is a plea for introspection—a moment for Liberia to look into the mirror and ask:
- What do we stand for as a nation?
- Who do we trust to lead our sacred institutions?
- When will we stop looking outward and start believing in ourselves?
A Call to Conscience
This appointment is not merely about credentials or processes. It is about the soul of a nation trying to find its footing in a complex world.
President Boakai must understand that leadership is not just about making decisions—it’s about inspiring trust, confidence, and belief in a shared future.
To my fellow Liberians: let us not dismiss these concerns as mere noise. Let us engage thoughtfully, debate passionately, and advocate relentlessly for a Liberia where our children can dream without ceilings and where our leaders can rise without apology.
For if sovereignty is not defended in moments like this, it will not be long before we look around and realize we have lost it entirely.
“A nation that ceases to trust its own people has already begun to fade into irrelevance.”
May Liberia’s flame burn brighter, not dimmer, with every decision we make. For Our People. For Our Indigenous Future.
