Adrienne Kisner, Ph.D. will be awarded an honorary doctorate and will offer remarks to the Albright College class of 2023, at the college’s 163rd Commencement ceremony, Santander Arena, Saturday, May 13, 2023.
A higher education and student affairs professional with experience in residence life, spiritual life and leadership development, Kisner is a resident hall director at Boston University and teaches creative writing for Southern New Hampshire University.
Kisner is also an award-winning author who addresses societal issues in literature for young adults.
In her debut novel “Dear Rachel Maddow” (2018) a high school girl deals with school politics and life after her brother’s death by drafting emails to MSNBC host Rachel Maddow. In “The Confusion of Laurel Graham” (2019), a teen copes with her grandmother’s coma by becoming obsessed with a mystery bird that she cannot identify. And her latest book, “Six Angry Girls” (2020) is a story of mock trial, feminism and the inherent power found in a pair of knitting needles.
Each of these novels won multiple awards. “Dear Rachel Maddow” was named the 2019 ILA Children’s and Young Adults’ Book Award for YA Fiction as well as being named one of New York Public Library Top Books for Teens 2018. “The Confusion of Laurel Graham” received the 2020 Green Earth Book Award for Young Adult Fiction and named to the 2020 ALA Rainbow Book List. And “Six Angry Girls” was named a Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year in 2021, as well as a Massachusetts Book Award Must Read Book in 2021.
A member of Albright College’s class of 2000, Kisner holds an Albright bachelor’s degree in religious studies and Spanish, a master’s degree in divinity and doctorate in practical theology from Boston University, and a Master in Fine Arts degree, with a focus in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
