EIU Alumni Association to honor nine alumni for service, leadership and lasting impact, including President Kimberly Hollingsworth

Olive-Harvey College President Kimberly Hollingsworth Named 2026 Distinguished Alumna by Eastern Illinois University.

(Charleston, IL) – Eastern Illinois University (EIU) will recognize nine alumni whose careers and lives reflect the many ways an EIU education can extend well beyond graduation during the 2026 University Awards Reception & Dinner. This year’s EIU Alumni Association honorees include seven recipients of the Distinguished Alumni Award, one recipient of the Louis V. Hencken Alumni Service Award, and one recipient of the Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

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Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth ’94, ’98.

Olive-Harvey College President Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth has been selected to receive Eastern Illinois University’s 2026 Distinguished Alumna Award, the highest honor the Eastern Illinois University Alumni Association presents.

The award recognizes alumni whose achievements have brought positive recognition to EIU. Past honorees have included an Illinois governor, Oscar-nominated actors, a nuclear physicist, educators, CEOs, athletes, and other accomplished alumni.

Dr. Hollingsworth earned her undergraduate degree in Business and her graduate degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University. While attending EIU, she was also initiated into Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., a nationally recognized, historically Black service sorority.

Her long-standing career in education began at EIU. After graduation, she served as the Cook County Recruitment Coordinator for Eastern Illinois University, helping connect prospective students with the university. Today, she serves as president of Olive-Harvey College, where she leads efforts to expand educational and career opportunities for students.

Last month, EIU highlighted the innovative work taking place at Olive-Harvey under her leadership, including launching Illinois’ first accredited cannabis associate degree at a community college and the One Year and Out program, which prepares students for the Chicago Police Academy in one year.

“Being named a Distinguished Alumna of Eastern Illinois University is an honor that touches me deeply,” said Dr. Kimberly Hollingsworth. “EIU was more than the place where I earned my degree, it was a place that helped shape my voice, my confidence, my purpose, and my belief in what is possible.”

The Distinguished Alumna Award recognizes Dr. Hollingsworth’s achievements, while celebrating a lifelong connection to an institution that helped launch her career in education.

President Hollingsworth will be recognized during Eastern Illinois University’s University Awards Reception & Dinner during the university’s Homecoming Weekend in October.