by Keith Cappo
Head Men’s Soccer Coach

Simba Kanjanda’s 8,000-mile journey from Zimbabwe to Ursinus wasn’t as circuitous as one might imagine. A bit of circumstance certainly helped him to find the perfect school.

As a student at St. George’s College, a private Jesuit boys’ high school in Harare (Zimbabwe’s capital), Simba set his sights on pursuing university study in Europe or Australia. But instead, he landed as a postgraduate at a New Jersey-based prep school, which made him think more about the possibility of staying in the U.S. for college. He found Ursinus in the book Colleges That Change Lives, and the aspiring surgeon made a life-changing decision to become a Bear.

As a student, Simba has promoted values and connections with people. He says he constantly discovers new opportunities and revelations about himself as an academic and as a person. And he has taken advantage of the full Ursinus experience by seeking opportunities as an athlete on the soccer field and the tennis court, in the classroom, and within the community. He has amazed his coaches and professors with his ability to contribute positively to everything he is involved in, which has resulted in an impactful and fulfilling educational experience that will surely prepare him for his next chapter in life.

Simba has capitalized on every opportunity and then some since enrolling at Ursinus. In addition to being a Melrose Fellow, he also serves as a resident advisor and chapel leader. He is a member of a number of clubs and student groups, including Students Today Alumni Tomorrow, the Brownback-Anders Pre-Health Society, International Exchange Committee, chess club, and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. He also helped with the college’s contact tracing efforts throughout the pandemic.

And he’s not even close to being finished. Simba is taking on honors research in neuroscience and also plans to apply for the prestigious Thomas J. Watson Fellowship. And although he is someone who has traveled the world, one word comes to mind for Simba when considering Ursinus and how far he’s actually come: home.