WASHINGTON, DC – Howard University recently named Lanisa S. Kitchiner, Ph.D., as the inaugural associate vice president for global and diaspora engagement. In this new role, she will oversee, coordinate, and enhance strategic international programming with a special emphasis on Africa and the African diaspora. She will report to the Office of the President.  

“The University recently established a strategic initiative to strengthen our focus on Africa and the African diaspora and enhance the University’s global impact,” said Ben Vinson III, Howard University president. “Dr. Kitchiner’s deep-rooted connection to Howard, combined with her wealth of experience in international education, cultural diplomacy, and strategic leadership, uniquely positions her to advance the university’s global engagement and impact.”  

Dr. Kitchiner’s extensive experience includes leadership roles in global and diasporic programming at Harvard University, the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, and Howard University. As executive director of Harvard University’s Center for African Studies, she oversaw operations in Cambridge and South Africa, managed sponsored programs, and spearheaded fundraising initiatives. She has also served as chief of the African and Middle Eastern Division at the Library of Congress, where she led a team responsible for curating and interpreting a vast collection relevant to Africa, the Middle East, and their diasporas. As director of education and scholarly initiatives at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of African Art, she showcased her ability to develop public programs and exhibitions that facilitated cross-cultural understanding. In addition, Kitchiner was previously an associate director at Howard University’s Ralph Bunche International Affairs Center, where she led international programs and curated exhibitions, including a permanent tribute to Ralph Bunche. 

“It is a remarkable honor to return home to the Mecca for the purpose of sharing its magnificence with the world and bringing the world’s magnificence home to campus,” said Kitchiner. “Howard is a beacon of excellence with an incredibly rich legacy of building bridges, breaking barriers, and transcending borders for the betterment of humanity. I cannot think of a higher professional calling or greater cause to which to devote the full force of my passion and expertise.” 

Dr. Kitchiner is a distinguished Howard alumna who earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and political science and a Ph.D. in African studies and research with emphasis on art, history, and culture.  
 

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