ROCK HILL, SOUTH CAROLINA – One of Winthrop University’s key Student Affairs leaders was recognized by her peers on June 13 with an Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award.
Kinyata Brown, associate dean of engagement, diversity and inclusive excellence, received the 2022 award at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators’ Region III Summer Symposium in Charleston, South Carolina.
Brown, who is well respected by the Winthrop community, was nominated for the award by Shelia Burkhalter, vice president for student affairs. “Kinyata’s nomination and ultimately her receipt of this NASPA award underscores the impactful and innovative work that she contributes to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion at Winthrop,” Burkhalter said. “The programs, services and initiatives delivered under her superb leadership increase students’ sense of belonging and mattering which is critical to student persistence, retention and success. I am so proud that Kinyata is receiving this well-deserved validation of her unwavering commitment to inclusive excellence.”
Brown also received letters of support from three Winthrop colleagues who have worked with her or observed her work on multiple initiatives.
Zan Jones, associate vice president for human resources/chief diversity officer, said that Brown has played a key role as a member of the Diversity Council. “Her energy and compassion for creating a space where our students can bring their whole selves, regardless of their diverse identities, have been invaluable to our continued diversity, equity and inclusion work,” Jones wrote in her nomination.
The Diversity Council’s work, with Brown playing an active role, has included: a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Certificate program for faculty and staff; an annual Day of Understanding to highlight voices from diverse populations; a Diversity Dialogues town hall series; and campus-wide system changes to include preferred first name, personal pronouns and gender identification.
In her nomination of Brown, Dawn Sayer, assistant director for assignments and administration in residence life, praised Brown for her years of noteworthy work at Winthrop. Brown has conducted Safe Zones training, opened the Diversity & Student Engagement Center, and worked with multiple committees with alumni, recruitment and retention, and online graduate programs, to name a few.
Angelo Geter, director of campus programming, said Brown’s work has touched thousands of students and will continue to leave a mark for years to come. “She has made a large impact in encouraging diversity through directly training, educating and employing students,” Geter said through the university’s Diversity Peer Educators program. This has led to Hispanic Heritage month celebration, Pride month, as well as an already established and robust MLK Day of Service challenge to promote community service.
For more information, contact Judy Longshaw, news and media services manager, at longshawj@winthrop.edu or at 803/323-2404.
