Towell Uses Technology Expertise to Serve Communities in Ghana

Professor Dwayne Towell is using his computer science expertise to transform classrooms and infrastructure thousands of miles from Lipscomb's campus.

Sofia Bailey  |  11/04/2026

Dwayne Towell, associate professor of computer science in the Lipscomb University Raymond B. Jones College of Engineering, was never much of a "mission trip" kind of guy.

That is until, of course, Towell redefined his idea of mission work when given the opportunity to work with Heritage Christian University and Village of Hope. "I had never done a mission trip before," Towell said. "I wanted to be part of a mission opportunity…but I wanted to do something with computers and use my skills to go there and help."

The unique partnership, which began in the early 2000s after Towell earned his Ph.D. in computer science, has evolved significantly over the years. Ahead of his trip to Africa, Towell knew he needed to make the most of the long flight. "If you are going to travel that far," Towell said, "you should try to do as much as you can."

And he did exactly that. While visiting Heritage Christian University, Towell also organized a three-week stay at Village of Hope, another local nonprofit in Ghana committed to improving local lives through education and health care.

Towell's experience has allowed him to see the evolution of technology through a global lens, and a lot has changed since his first visit. During his first visits to both organizations, Towell mainly focused on improving rudimentary satellite communication and removing viruses from their lab computers. During his most recent trip last summer, Towell taught a master's course in cryptography and data security, along with writing an innovative graduate-level applied-AI curriculum.

Despite cultural differences, Towell's goal in the classroom is the same at Heritage Christian University as it is at Lipscomb University: "I teach a skill, and I want students to practice it."

But Towell isn't just teaching students, he's also educating professors on how to use Canvas to improve the classroom experience and administrative workflows. At Village of Hope, he assisted with centralizing and coordinating internet access for the VOH campus, which provided vastly improved access campus-wide.
Although there have been plenty of learning curves, Towell hasn't lost sight of why he became an educator. "I love getting to teach, helping others teach," Towell said, "and those light bulb moments when you see them get it."

These partnerships have given Towell the opportunity to teach and serve internationally while broadening his worldview and deepening his understanding of true cultural exchange. 
Towell also encouraged students not to limit themselves to what they think mission work could look like. When asked about Village of Hope, Towell's response was simple yet profound: "Want to see God at work? Go there."

His work inside and outside the classroom has helped Heritage Christian University and Village of Hope not only continue functioning day to day, but also stay ahead of the curve for the benefit of their growing communities.