Dr. Khyana K. Pumphrey

Khyana Kamara Pumphrey was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on September 26,1971, and departed on June 24, 2023. She is preceded in death by her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Pumphrey Sr. (Daisy) and Mr. and Mrs. David L. King (Christine). She is survived by her parents, Dr. Roger M. Pumphrey '(Evelyn) and Mrs. Marolyn Simpson (Clifford); brother Jamil Pumphrey (Wisconsin); sister, Dionne Fancher-Dixon (Tennessee); and a host of adoring uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, nephews, sorority sisters, friends, colleagues, students, and clients. In 1989, she earned her high school diploma with honors from Nicolet Union High School and furthered her education at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in 1994, when she attained a B.5.E. in Secondary English Education with a minor in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater; 1995, she went on to complete an M.S. in Curriculum and Instruction from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee and in 2002, a Ph.D. from the School of Education with a specialization in Counseling Psychology. On March 17, 1991, she joined the Lambda Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, a service she continued into the Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated upon graduation. Khyana devoted over 32 years of service to Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, reaching "Silver Soror" on May 3, 2016, and "Life Member" on January 8, 2018. She actively served her beloved sorority in roles such as Basileus, Anti- , Basileus, Committee Chairman, Basilei Council, Graduate Chapter Advisor, and 35th Basileus of the Epsilon Kappa Omega Chapter, while achieving countless accolades, such as the esteemed Pamela Bates Porch Outstanding Educator Award (2008), Pauline Redmond Coggs Spirit of AKA Award (2011), Frances Brock Starms Soror of the Year Award (2014), and countless more. Recently, she served as Co-Chairman of the 89th Annual Central Regional Conference of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, with over 3,500 attendees from eight states, the conference generated over $6.5 million in revenue for Milwaukee. Adored by many, fellow members fondly cite her as the epitome of sisterliness. I Her undergraduate work as a resident assistant at UW-Whitewater's Division of Student Affairs fueled a lifelong passion for academia and student development. A professional career started at R.E.A.C.H., Incorporated Mental Health Clinic, where she rendered Alcohol and Drug Abuse Education and Prevention centered on the African American community and served as host on a local radio talk show called "Rappin' About A.O.DA" She completed clinical training at St. Luke's Medical Center in the Cancer Counseling Center and a pre-doctoral internship at the University of Wisconsin-Madison's Counseling and Consultation Services. Soon after, she joined the staff at Lakeshore Technical College as a Program Counselor and attained professional counselor licensure in Wisconsin, completing her post-doctoral clinical experience at Wheaton Franciscan Behavioral Health. She received a Governor's appointment and had a state-wide impact on long- term mental health public policy, serving as a licensed mental health care provider in Wisconsin for over 24 years. Khyana seamlessly balanced her two worlds of mental health care and education, dedicating the last sixteen years of her illustrious career as a model faculty member at Waukesha County Technical College, teaching in the General Studies Social Sciences Department. Baptized as a Lutheran, she attended Gospel Lutheran Church, actively serving the community through multiple channels, such as the women-led group Women Passionately Pursuing Christ. Aside from professional pursuits, she enjoyed time with family, friends, and sorority sisters while I doing what she loved: traveling, reading, and bike riding. Khyana was an exemplary daughter, sister, aunt, friend, niece, community servant, confidant, leader, and Christian. Her life illustrates the importance of the 'dash' written between a person's birth and the date of their passing. The years between her dash were golden; every second, every laugh, and every memory within her 'dash' leaves an indelible mark that will dance for an eternity in our hearts.

Dr. Khyana K. Pumphrey

September 26, 1971 - June 24, 2023