Published: July 13, 2026
HARPER, Maryland County — After visiting community radio stations in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties, most of them struggling with broken equipment, thin budgets and untrained staff, a senior U.S. Embassy official has found what he calls a standout model at William V. S. Tubman University.
Raymond Stephens, public affairs officer of the U.S. Embassy in Liberia, made the assessment during a visit to Phoenix FM, the university’s campus radio station, where he commended the institution for preparing young Liberians for the workforce through education that combines classroom instruction with practical, hands-on training.
“The students here are not simply earning degrees; they are being prepared for the job market,” Stephens said.
Stephens praised the leadership of President Prof. Dr. Olu Q. Menjay for promoting an educational approach that blends academic excellence with practical experience, equipping graduates with the skills needed to compete in today’s job market.
Phoenix FM is not a traditional community radio station, but Stephens said he included it in his nationwide assessment because of its unique role as a university-based training platform, one where students gain professional experience in journalism, broadcasting and media production while serving surrounding communities with educational and public-interest programming.
That dual role sets it apart from what Stephens encountered elsewhere. His tour of community stations across the country found many facing limited funding, aging equipment and shortages of trained personnel. Phoenix FM, by contrast, he described as an outstanding model that successfully combines academic instruction with community service while giving students valuable real-world experience through its programming.
Stephens encouraged Tubman University to continue investing in experiential learning and innovation, saying such initiatives are essential to producing graduates who can contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s economic growth and national development.
The visit adds an international endorsement to Tubman University’s push to strengthen workforce development through practical education and its stated commitment to producing competent, ethical and globally competitive graduates.
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