Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon, PhD (Cultural Anthropology), M.A. (Anthropology), MFA (Theater), Graduate Certificate) Women's Studies, B.A. (Journalism); is a Senior Associate Dean of Strategic Initiatives and Innovation in the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University and a Full Professor specializing in Urban Theater and Community Engagement in the Theater Department in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. Immediate-past President of the Faculty Senate at Temple University. Williams-Witherspoon is the author of Through Smiles and Tears: The History of African American Theater (From Kemet to the Americas) (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011); The Secret Messages in African American Theater: Hidden Meaning Embedded in Public Discourse” (Edwin Mellen Publishing, 2006) A hybrid researcher/ scholar/performer, Williams-Witherspoon has had over 28 plays produced, 20 productions, 13 staged readings, 8 one-woman shows and she has performed poetry in over 120 national and international venues. Williams-Witherspoon is a contributing poet to 49 anthologies and magazines, author of 11 books of poetry, 9 book chapters, 7 journal articles and 2 books on African American Theater. She is the recipient of a host of awards and citations. Her scholarly work centers around pedagogy, women’s issues, the African diaspora, performance rituals and community engagement.