@ the Heart of It: 2008 Daniel J. Ransohoff Scholarship Recipient
Kathy Bennet Muhammad
Kathy Bennett Muhammad
For UI&U doctoral learner Kathy Bennett Muhammad, a Union degree is more than just an academic stepping stone—it’s preparation for a life of service, community involvement, and social change.
“Enrolling at Union has been a learning experience and a rewarding one,” Kathy says. Kathy’s doctoral studies have taken her across the nation, specifically to Washington, D.C., and Atlanta, Georgia, and have paved the way for collaboration with the Clark Atlanta University African and African American Studies and Africana Women’s Studies Department.
As a recipient of the 2008 Daniel J. Ransohoff scholarship, Kathy embraces two key Union values: social change and education. Dr. Daniel J. Ransohoff, a UI&U doctoral alumnus and known as "Mr. Cincinnati," focused his energy on those same imperative values, serving on the Greater Cincinnati United Way & Community Chest for 43 years. Like Dr. Ransohoff, amidst her research and dissertation work, Kathy also finds time to give back to her community, reflecting not only Dr. Ransohoff’s life work, but Union’s mission and vision for both its learners and graduates.
In addition to volunteering as a part-time Africana history teacher at a local school, Kathy serves on several national committees and associations. She is a dedicated member of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), National Council for Negro Women (NCNW), and National Women Studies Association (NWSA). Kathy also places great emphasis on the arts as a North Carolina Repertory Theater guild member.
I believe at the heart of a Union learner
should be the African proverb,
‘each one, teach one.’
Looking past graduation, Kathy hopes to use her UI&U studies and research to become an even strong proponent for social change—and to achieve her long-held goals. “I eagerly look forward to earning the Ph.D.,” Kathy explains, “to elevate Africana women’s Herstory in the academy and contribute to scholarly discourse; to stimulate change and/or even improve guiding principles that impact women in general; and to broaden career aspirations.” “At the heart of Union’s liberal approach to its programs,” Kathy tells all who will listen, “lie learners’ interest and future goals, and I believe at the heart of a Union learner should be the African proverb, ‘each one, teach one.’ Once he or she has learned, [he or she] must be committed to giving back.”