News Release
Faculty member honored by African American Chamber
June 10, 2009
Dr. Kimetta Hairston, seated, celebrates
her African American Chamber of Commerce
honor with Penn State Harrisburg faculty and staff,
left to right, Dorothy Guy, Dr. William Milheim,
Angela Larks, Dr. Shanetia Clark, and Lisa Murray.
Penn State Harrisburg faculty member Kimetta Hariston’s commitment to expand community awareness of the value of diversity in education has earned an award from the African American Chamber of Commerce of Central Pennsylvania.
An assistant professor of education in the college’s School of Behavioral Sciences and Education for four years, Hairston was presented the organization’s Community Service Award at its 17th annual awards banquet.
Hairston, who also delivered the keynote speech at the event in Hershey, has amassed a long list of outreach initiatives in her short time in Harrisburg. She conducted research for the Harrisburg YouthBuild program, is a frequent speaker to organization’s on diversity topics, and has volunteered with Black Achievers, earning the group’s Community Activist Award. She frequently conducts cultural awareness and diversity training for organizations in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii.
She also serves as president of the Pennsylvania National Association of Multicultural Educators regional chapter and as the vice president of the University Club of Central Pennsylvania.
Stating she is “humbled and overwhelmed” at being selected for the Chamber honor, Hairston’s current research interests are in diversity and cultural awareness, gender identity, and the integration Her current research interests are in diversity and cultural awareness, gender identity, and the integration of diversity into higher education curricula and professional workplace environments.
Her most recent co-authored books are They Followed the Trade Winds – African-American Experiences in Hawaii and two entries in the Encyclopedia of Race and Crime. She has also published in educational research journals on topics including the dehumanization of African American females, cultural sensitivity and diversity in education, multiculturalism, and critical race theory.
Other area residents honored by the Chamber group were:
Minority Business Development Award – Dellanor L. Young, president and CEO of Young & Company;
Youth Achievement Award – Students at YouthBuild of Greater Harrisburg;
Corporate Citizenship Award – Ted J. Kleisner, president and CEO, Hershey Entertainment and Resorts Co.;
Senior Entrepreneurial Award – Hendy Edwards, Save A Lot and Trinity Harvest; and