Marlena McKnight
Assistant Director, Student Success & Retention
Center for Diversity and Inclusion
Degrees
B.A., (Political Science) Wake Forest University, Winston- Salem, NC, 2003 M.A.T (Master of Arts in Teaching, Elementary Education), American University, Washington, D.C., 2005. Ed.D. ( Reading/ Writing/ Literacy) University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, 2014
Bio
Dr. Marlena [Reese] McKnight serves as Assistant Director of the Center for Diversity and Inclusion. In this role, Dr. McKnight is responsible for the research, data analysis and coordination of programs, services and proactive initiatives to positively affect the retention, academic performance and graduation of students and to enhance students’ personal, academic and social development. Further, she formulates proactive and timely retention services and initiatives meeting demonstrated need for AU’s undergraduate students.
Prior to joining CDI in late 2014, Dr. McKnight served as Associate Director, Makuu: Black Cultural Center at the University of Pennsylvania. She has taught both undergraduate and graduate level courses in Africana Studies and the Graduate School of Education.
