The Neal-Marshall Alumni Club will present their highest honor, the Charlie Nelms Distinguished Alumni Award, during their 26th biennial reunion held on October 20-21, 2023. The Charlie Nelms Distinguished Alumni Award has been created in recognition of Nelms’ stalwart pursuit to bridge the gaps in all areas of life for disenfranchised and underserved people. An award recipient is one who has continued to exemplify the mission of Indiana University, as demonstrated in their career tenure, or in the long-term impact of their community engagement.

“It is my distinct honor to announce that Dr. Tiffany Kyser, BS’06, MA’10, PhD’16 has been named the 2023 Charlie Nelms Distinguished Alumni Award recipient,” said Angelia Wiggins, president of the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club. Dr. Kyser is committed to life long learning and professional development to be a steward of the IU education she was afforded. She is one of the founders of The Great 8 Scholarship and a Life Member of the IU Alumni Association.  In addition to her philanthropic practice, it was also noted in her nomination that she has hosted over 25 international students from Brazil, Argentina, Indonesia, Vietnam, Russia, Finland, Saudi Arabia, and Japan—all of which include centering experiences of educational equity and justice and committed discussions on systemic oppression.

The Charlie Nelms Distinguished Alumni Award criteria calls for a recipient who is dedicated to work that supports positive change in their workplace or community, that they possess a track record of success, and are recognized by their colleagues as leaders in their respective profession or community. Dr. Kyser emulates the principle of the club’s highest distinction.”

Tiffany is an educator with more than 18 years’ experience across the entire spectrum of education—from K–12 teaching to higher education administration. Her work is rooted in educational policy, adult learning, and change management. She has received numerous awards and accolades, including Indy’s Best and Brightest Award for education and nonprofit, NCAA Indiana Woman of the Year, Ebony magazine’s Power 100, Indiana Business Journal’s Forty Under 40, and appointed to the Stanley K. Lacy Executive Leadership Series, Class XLIII. In recognition of her illustrious four-year basketball career at IUPUI—where she finished as one of the top players in the women’s basketball program’s history—her jersey, No. 44, was retired in 2004, and she was inducted into IUPUI Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008.

Kyser currently serves as associate director for engagement and partnerships at the Midwest and Plains Equity Assistance Center within the Great Lakes Equity Center. She has served on numerous boards and committees, including the IUPUI School of Education Alumni Advisory Council, IU Health’s Virtual Care Patient & Family Advisory Council, the IUPUI Alumni Council, and the IUPUI School of Liberal Arts Alumni Board.