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17th Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration

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Joseph Kim
Ashford Collins is the vice principal at Valley Park Elementary in Overland Park, Kansas

MidAmerica Nazarene University invites the public to its 17th annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Community Celebration on January 17, 2023, at College Church of the Nazarene, 2020 E. Sheridan in Olathe. Each year the university honors and promotes the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with this special service.

The special speaker for the event will be Ashford Collins, vice principal at Valley Park Elementary School in Overland Park, Kansas. Collins has been an educator since he graduated from MNU in 2012. He has coached athletics and provided leadership and encouragement to youth since he was a college student.

Collins coordinated the Hope Walk in Olathe to gather different organizations, initiatives, and people to inspire and share their impact on social justice, mental health, and community relations. The event was held each year from 2016-2021.

Due to his achievements and work in the community, Collins will be honored with MNU’s Martin Luther King, Jr. Living Legacy award.

In addition to the special speaker and music by MNU choirs and musicians, Student Diversity Council members will participate in the service.

Sponsors of this event help fund diversity activities at MNU. Sponsorships are still available. Learn more at www.mnu.edu/martin-luther-king-jr-community-celebration.

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Dr. Abby Hodges

Vice President for Academic Affairs

PhD; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
MS; Organic Chemistry, Yale University 
BS; Chemistry, Denison University

Dr. Hodges began her career in higher education at Azusa Pacific University as a chemistry professor from 2008 to 2014. She then moved to MNU where she taught and in 2018 was appointed Chair of the Department of Natural, Health, and Mathematical Sciences. From 2022-2023, before accepting the Interim Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Hodges was the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Dr. Hodges’ career research has focused on protein folding and protein engineering, and she has mentored over twenty students in these research projects. She has also furthered the MNU first-year experience program and chaired the General Education committee for five years. Dr. Hodges was recognized as the MNU Faculty of the Year in 2021.

Dr. Hodges lives in Olathe with her husband Ryan and two boys.