Grace O. Sikapokoo, Ph.D., MBA,

An Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication and Director of COMS 100, the foundational public speaking course at Northern Illinois University. She earned her doctorate and master’s in health communication at Ohio University, after a career in customer experience and strategic marketing in South Africa’s financial services industry.

Dr. Sikapokoo’s research focuses on health communication, instructional communication, and relational and family influences on health and well-being. Her scholarship examines how Black breast cancer survivors manage uncertainty and navigate social support, how families communicate about lifestyle change, and how communication pedagogy can promote student engagement. She has published in peer-reviewed journals and co-authored multiple book chapters.

Dr. Sikapokoo teaches undergraduate courses in public speaking, interpersonal, intercultural, and health communication, as well as graduate seminars in communication pedagogy and relational health communication. She is active in disciplinary service and has also served in leadership roles.

I chose to serve with Network of Nations because its Christ-centered mission to build bridges of love and friendship between international students and the local community resonates with my experience as a former international student. I’m grateful to be part of a ministry that welcomes students from all religious and cultural backgrounds, creating a “home away from home” where they can find hospitality, support, and encouragement. Through my involvement with Network of Nations, I aim to walk alongside international students and scholars as they adapt to new cultures, navigate academic challenges, and explore questions of identity and faith. I want to reflect God’s love in everyday moments—through conversations, shared meals, and genuine friendships.