Kenyan-born academic from Siaya County has risen through the ranks of American higher education to become the inaugural dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), where he has spent more than three decades teaching, conducting research and mentoring students.
Prof. Tom Otieno's journey from Ugenya Kager in Siaya County to the leadership of one of the university's major academic colleges highlights the growing contribution of Kenyan scholars to global education and scientific research.
Otieno's academic journey began at the University of Nairobi, where he graduated in 1986 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry, earning First Class Honours after finishing top of his class.
His outstanding performance secured him a scholarship to pursue postgraduate studies abroad, taking him to Canada's University of British Columbia, where he obtained both a Master of Science degree and a PhD in Inorganic Chemistry.
After completing his doctoral studies, he proceeded to Southwest Texas State University in the United States for postdoctoral research before joining Eastern Kentucky University in 1995 as an Assistant Professor of Chemistry.
What began as an academic appointment developed into a career spanning teaching, scientific research, university administration and institutional leadership.
Research and academic achievements
Otieno's research has focused on inorganic chemistry, particularly the synthesis and characterisation of metal-containing compounds. His work has appeared in international scientific publications, including Inorganic Chemistry, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry and Acta Crystallographica.
Beyond research and classroom instruction, he has played a role in strengthening science and mathematics education at the school level.
He served as principal investigator and project director of a $1.5 million National Science Foundation grant that supported efforts to improve science and mathematics teaching in public middle schools.
His contribution to academia saw him rise to the rank of full professor within eight years of joining EKU, before taking up several administrative responsibilities.
He served as coordinator of the Chemistry graduate programme, Assistant Dean and Associate Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, as well as interim chair of the Department of Physics and Astronomy.
Rising to university leadership
In April 2016, he was appointed interim dean of the university's College of Science before subsequently becoming its founding dean.
Following an institutional reorganisation, he became the inaugural dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics, placing him at the helm of a college overseeing a broad range of academic disciplines.
The college brings together programmes in agriculture, chemistry, forensic science, computer science, engineering, mathematics and technology.
His responsibilities include overseeing academic programmes, faculty development, research, student affairs, resource mobilisation and partnerships with external institutions.
Under his leadership, the university has continued to expand its STEM programmes to respond to changing workforce and industry demands.
In 2023, when EKU introduced a manufacturing engineering degree, Otieno described the programme as an extension of the institution's established strength in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
His influence has also extended beyond the university. In 2023, he was appointed to the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, an organisation involved in promoting scientific innovation, entrepreneurship and economic development.
Otieno has also championed greater access to STEM education, emphasising the importance of scholarships in helping students concentrate on their academic work without the burden of financial challenges.
Recognition after three decades of service
In September 2026, Eastern Kentucky University recognised his contribution to scientific research, teaching and student mentorship by naming a classroom after him.
The recognition came after more than 30 years of service at the institution, during which he has taught and mentored generations of students while taking up increasingly senior leadership positions.
His family has also maintained a strong presence in academia. He is married to Prof. Iddah Otieno, an educator at Bluegrass Community and Technical College in Lexington, and they have three children: Ephraim Ochieng' Otieno, Christopher Otieno and Rebecca Otieno, all of whom hold PhDs.
Otieno's career offers an example of how academic achievement, research and sustained involvement in university administration can open pathways to leadership in international higher education.
From graduating with First Class Honours at the University of Nairobi to overseeing a major STEM college in the United States, his journey also highlights the role Kenyan-trained scholars continue to play in advancing science and education beyond the country's borders.
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