Dr. Morris Koffa
Member, Board of Trustees
Director of the Institute of Climate Change and Environmental Institute
Environmental Engineer | Disaster and Emergency Management Expert | Civil and Construction Engineering Consultant
Founder & Executive Director, Africa Environmental Watch (AEW)
Dr. Morris T. Koffa is an internationally recognized expert in environmental engineering , disaster and emergency management , and civil and construction engineering , with over two decades of professional experience in the United States and West Africa. He currently serves as an Environmental Engineer with the Department of Energy and Environment (DOEE) in Washington, DC, and is the Founder and Executive Director of Africa Environmental Watch (AEW) , a leading environmental education and advocacy organization based in Liberia and the U.S.
Dr. Koffa earned his PhD in Public Policy and Public Administration (specializing in Disaster and Emergency Management) from Walden University . He holds dual master’s degrees in Environmental Management and Public Policy and Disaster and Emergency Management from American Public University , along with advanced certifications in Environmental Law and Policy , Fire Science , Erosion Control , Green Infrastructure , and Floodplain Management . He holds a Bachelor of Science in Civil and Construction Engineering and an Associate of Science in Civil Technology from the University of the District of Columbia , and foundational technical training from Don Bosco Polytechnic College in Liberia.
A thought leader and practitioner, Dr. Koffa has led and supported critical initiatives in climate change resilience , public health preparedness , environmental protection , biodiversity conservation , waste management , safe drinking water access , and renewable energy promotion . His work bridges technical engineering expertise with community-driven environmental solutions. Through AEW, he has developed pioneering programs in environmental education, policy engagement , and institutional capacity building , working with the Environmental Protection Agency of Liberia (EPA-L) , international NGOs, universities, and government ministries.
Dr. Koffa has organized and chaired major international environmental forums, including Liberia’s first Environmental Sustainability Forum and conferences focused on post-Ebola recovery, natural resource governance, and disaster preparedness. He was instrumental in launching Liberia’s first degree-granting environmental science program , in collaboration with multiple academic institutions.
Selected Leadership Roles and Engagements:
- Chair , Maryland–Liberia Sister States Committee (2016–Present)
- Co-Chair , Liberia Environmental Sustainability Forum (2011)
- Chair , 2nd International Environmental Conference, EPA-Liberia (2013)
- National Executive Vice President , Union of Liberian Associations in the Americas (ULAA)
- Advisor , Ministry of Transport and EPA-Liberia (Early Warning Systems, 2019)
- Board Member, Cavalla International University
Awards and Recognitions:
- Eagle Men of Honor Award for Environmental Work in Liberia, 2009
- Humanitarian Award , Liberia Image Awards, 2008
- Environmental Service Award , LIHEDE
- Community Service Award , Prince George’s Community College
Publications:
- The Ebola Epidemic in Liberia: Some Environmental and Disaster Management Implications
- The Kru: A Biography of the Kru Heritage (Co-Author)
- Numerous academic and public-facing articles on disaster management and environmental policy.
Fluent in both technical environmental science and community advocacy , Dr. Koffa continues to drive policy innovation and on-the-ground solutions that empower vulnerable communities, protect ecosystems, and strengthen resilience across the Mano River Union and beyond.
