Be the change

It may be difficult to know whether the work we do to share the gospel and expand the kingdom is actually making a difference, but Dr. Russ Burcham’s choice to pursue mission work in Albania changed the life of a young Sokol Haxhiu. Burcham served as a member of Harding’s board of trustees for more than 30 years, and when he met Haxhiu, he chose to invest in this teenager’s life. He made it possible for Haxhiu to attend Harding and helped expand his vision for what he could do with his skills and his life. 

“The education I received at Harding was the foundation of my entire educational process,” Haxhiu says. “It helped me look more holistically at the various systematic problems in the world and prepared me to contribute toward providing relevant solutions.”

Haxhiu graduated from Harding with a bachelor’s degree in political science in 2000 and went on to earn a master’s degree in telecommunications management from Oklahoma State University in 2002 as well as earning certificates in federalism and decentralization from University of Fribourg in Switzerland in 2012 and in advanced legal studies from University of London in 2019. Haxhiu returned to Albania because he wanted to contribute to the development and democratic transition of the county and to strengthen the local church. In the last two decades he has worked with various international development organizations such as the United Nations and the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. His work has contributed to large-scale reforms in decentralization, regional development education and the digitalization of government services. He and his wife, Stela, have two daughters, Deliza and Kristel Bora, and are members of Tirana (Albania) Church of Christ. 

In 2018, Haxhiu established the Westminster Foundation for Democracy office in Albania. As director he worked closely with political and civil leaders in Albania and beyond to encourage a new generation of politicians to be more accountable to their voters and fight against corruption and social injustice. In the midst of political polarization, WFD created a Youth Cross Party Platform to empower young people to use their voices within their political parties and engage more closely with their communities. 

Haxhiu serves as the country director for Development Alternatives Inc. implementing the Critical Infrastructure Digitalization and Resilience program with the U.S Agency for International Development’s Bureau for Europe and Eurasia. These organizations work together to assess cybersecurity gaps and priorities and make recommendations for improvement.

Haxhiu’s efforts continue as he works to contribute toward various social and political developments in the country, assisting and empowering institutions and individuals to be the change that will transform Albania into a more democratic society and help support those who continue to face injustice.