Prof. Benson C. O. Okong’o, is an Associate Research Professor of Curriculum and Instruction at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology with 15 years teaching experience at the University including 2 years as an assistant Professor at Arizona State University. He is an International Honor Society of Education Fellow by KAPPA DELTA PI. Prof Odongo holds an interdisciplinary Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Curriculum and Instruction with a major Specialization in Early Childhood Education from Arizona State University (U.S.A); A Master of Education in Special Education Early Childhood Unified from Wichita State University (U.S.A) and Bachelor of Education in Early Childhood Education (2nd Class honors, Upper Division) from Kenyatta University, Kenya.

Prof Odongo is currently the substantive Dean school of education, humanities and social sciences having served previously as the Director of academic programs at Kosele& Kendu-Bay Campuses and coordinator education programs, Kisumu campus respectively. 

His Professional research interest revolves around Early Childhood music Education; Early Childhood Teacher Practices; Qualitative Research Methods; Curriculum Development and Pedagogical issues; Policy, Social Justice &Advocacy issues in Early years; Performing Arts (music, dance, drama and poetry) with children; Constructivist Approaches to Early Learning; Comparative/Cross cultural Studies in Early Childhood Education; Children with special needs and inclusive pedagogy.

In terms of Research Publications and supervision, Prof Odongo has published 3 University level books, 2 Training modules on Nurturing care for ECD and inclusive community for special needs education teachers respectively, one international conference proceedings, with 81publications in high impact international peer reviewed (refereed &scholarly) Journals. He has also successfully supervised to completion 18 Ph.Ds and 43 Masters. Apart from his own students that he mentors, he has effectively externally examined 24 doctoral dissertation/Thesis and 29 Master’s Thesis both from Jooust and other Universities. He has chaired many postgraduate proposals and Theses defenses as a senior lecturer and as a member of University Senate.

He has extensively presented scientific papers in World international conferences featuring University of East London (England, U.K), Finland (Helsinki); Estonia (Tallin); Sweden (Stockholm) Geogia (Dalton state); Philadelphia (University of Pennsylvania); Louisiana (New Orleans); Florida (Orlando); Ohio (Kent state University); Republic of Mauritius (Voila Bagatelle Hotel), Arizona (Phoenix,Tempe& Scottsdale); Missouri, (Missouri state University); Kansas City; Wichita Kansas (U.S.A). Regionally, he has presented scientific papers in the following Countries: Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Zambia, Rwanda, Burundi (Bujumbura). In Kenya, as can be attested in his CV, Prof Odongo has presented scientific papers in many parts in this Country.

In terms of Research Funds, he has attracted funds from National Research fund (NRF); International Society for Music Education (ISME); Humanitarian Leadership Academy; Engineers without Boarders (Arizona Chapter); Conrad Hilton Foundation including development funds from International ECD stakeholders conference 2021 and the Day for the African Child and Nurturing care for ECD Curriculum launch in June 2024.  Currently, he is working on Erasmus project on staff capacity building and mobility programs funded by European Commission and the Nurturing care for ECD project funded by Conrad Hilton Foundation.

In terms of Professional Membership: Prof Odongo Brings in a wealth of professional experiences both locally, regionally and internationally with membership drawn from various professional bodies including American Educational Research Association (AERA), International Society for Music Education (ISME), African Curriculum Association (ACA), Pan African Society for Musical Arts Education, (PASMAE), Early Childhood Music Education (ECME) Commission, and Early Childhood Development Network for Kenya. He is a member of the editorial board for International Journal for Music Education (IJME).

In terms of Committees: He is a member of university senate and deans’ committees; Chair to the school of Education Humanities Social Science board; the Chair of Nurturing care for ECD; Program leader for Early Childhood Education; Focal person to Lake Region Economic Bloc; A member of student mentorship committee; Curriculum development & Review committee; Competency Based Education Committee; A champion on E-Learning having taught using blackboard and Moodle platforms. In addition, Prof Odongo has served on the Board for Special Services including Gender Mainstreaming and Development from 2012 to April 2024; He also served at the SAJOOUST electoral board as Presiding officer from 2013 to 2020.

On matters of Consultancy, Prof Odongo is a training consultant on Nurturing Care for ECD involving County Government of Kenya funded by Conrad Hilton Foundation through KMET and PATH under the umbrella of LREB; A consultant with Commission for University (CUE) on Review of Academic programs; A consultant with Kenya Institute of Curriculum Development (KICD) on Competency Based Education; An appointed external examiner for Kenyatta and Maseno Universities. 

Prof Odongo is an engaged, energetic scholar who is credited at Jooust for having developed three programs that have been accredited by Commission for University Education including Bachelor Degree program in Early Childhood Education, Master’s Degree program in Early Childhood Development and Education, a Ph.D program in Early Childhood Studies with course work and research. Prof Odongo also developed and proposed JOOUST Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL).

Prof Odongo is very active in community service and has received recognition both locally and internationally from being the president for international students at Arizona State to being installed as a Maasai Elder in Kenya as a result of community outreach services. He serves in several school boards both Primary and Secondary including chairing Mother Union conference planning committee in ACK Bondo Diocese.