Celebrate Women's History Month

Kiana Battle, Ed.D.

Vice president for academic affairs, Kankakee Community College

Battle joined KCC as the vice president for academic affairs in January 2021. 

As the chief academic officer, Battle is responsible for administering the college’s credit and non-credit instruction, along with leadership for academic and educational support operations. Areas that Battle oversees include instructional services, extension centers, academic assessment, dual credit and early college initiatives, institutional accreditation, faculty development, Miner Memorial Library, tutoring services, Perkins grant management, continuing education, adult and community education, workforce services and institutional research. 

For 12 years, Battle served in various leadership positions including newscast assistant director and director at WMAQ television in Chicago, and director of visual and media communications programs at Kennedy-King College in Chicago. From 2011-14, Battle served as associate dean of instruction for career programs at Kennedy-King College, Before joining KCC’s administration, she was dean of career programs at Moraine Valley Community College. Battle also has experience as a Higher Learning Commission Accreditation Reaffirmation Committee member. 

In 2010, Battle received the City Colleges of Chicago’s “Distinguished Administrator” award, and in 2019 was the proud recipient of Moraine Valley Community College and the League for Innovation’s “Excellence in Leadership” award. 

“(Battle) comes to us with extensive experience in supporting career programs, and I know that she is skilled at working with our partners to ensure the college is meeting the needs of the communities we serve,” said Michael Boyd, Ph.D., KCC’s president. “Personally, I’m really excited to work with Dr. Battle because I know that she is a dynamic leader who will move the college forward in so many ways.” 

Battle notes her professional inspiration from Dorothy Height, Civil Rights and Women’s Rights Activist; and Eleanor Roosevelt, former U.S. first lady and civil rights activist. She also believes in the words of Mahatma Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” 

Battle holds a Doctorate of Education degree in higher education and organizational change from Benedictine University. She has a Master of Science degree in integrated marketing communications from Roosevelt University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in broadcast communications from Columbia College, Chicago.