Raising Up the Poor in India through Higher Education
In partnership with Immanuel University
Immanuel is a school of graduate and post-graduate studies in southern India, providing high quality, low cost education to poor, marginalized youth.
Friends of Immanuel connects U.S. supporters to this amazing work for marginalized youth through facilitating awareness, funding, and partnerships.
Immanuel reaches the most underprivileged youth.
Our Mission
Immanuel’s mission is to educate Indians whom otherwise would have little to no access to higher education, particularly at the graduate level, and in doing so raise them from poverty. Immanuel was first conceived by a couple living in Washington who felt a calling in 2011 to give toward developing a school of graduate and post-graduate studies in India. Shelly and David Goodnight were then led to make this couple’s dream a reality. The Goodnights joined the efforts of Professor Joab, now President of Immanuel University, who had dreamed of such a school for the impoverished youth of India. By fall of 2012, the MBA program was launched on the newly acquired campus property. Thanks to generous donors, Immanuel now includes 25 acres, eight major facilities, paved roads, beautiful landscaping, over 400 current students, and over 650 alumni. Campus development continues as the school grows the academic programs and student body.
Our Students
Immanuel University serves over 400 students from across India from a multitude of backgrounds, representing the diversity of the world’s most populous country. Immanuel strives to educate those who find the door shut at other institutions, including students from tribal villages and Dalits, known as the untouchables under the caste system. Additionally, Immanuel’s student body is over 50% women, a stark contrast from the average graduate institution in India which enrolls less than 20%. Serving those with the greatest need is what began the journey to founding Immanuel University and what drives its faculty, staff, and leadership today. Our 650 alumni have gone on to work for Fortune 500 companies, non-profits, the public sector, education, and more with 100% being employed after 1 year.
Our Campus
Set on a beautiful 25 acres outside of Hyderabad, India, Immanuel University provides a respite from the busyness of daily life to study and grow. Thanks to the generous contributions from many donors, the campus has grown to include on campus student and faculty housing, an event and dining hall, and multiple academic buildings housing classrooms, computer labs, and the McKenna Center for Leadership. Soon to come will be the addition of a standalone library, opening up more opportunities for students to study, collaborate, and recreate.
Our Programs
Immanuel University began as an MBA program through the Immanuel Business School and has since grown to offer seven degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate level. These offerings have been carefully selected by the University’s leadership with the targeted goal of providing courses and degree programs in fields which offer the highest potential for post-graduate employment and opportunities to serve as leaders in their communities to assist others in being raised out of poverty. Immanuel is accredited through multiple universities in Hyderabad and New Delhi and has been recognized by the Indian Department of Education and the Government of Telengana as a top institution in India.