Kiah was a proud alumna of the Barton School of Business, graduating in the spring
of 2017 with degrees in international business, economics and Spanish. A recipient
of the prestigious Clay Barton Scholarship in 2013, she joined a distinguished group
of exceptionally talented students. During her time at Wichita State, Kiah cofounded
the Shocker Food Locker, an initiative that continues to support students facing food
insecurity. Her unwavering commitment to building more equitable communities is a
legacy we can all carry forward within Shocker Nation.
Born and raised in Wichita, Kiah was the daughter of Dr. Maurice and Gwen Duggins,
who instilled in her a deep commitment to social justice through their own dedication
to serving underserved communities in education and healthcare. After graduating from
Wichita State, she went on to earn her J.D. from Harvard Law School, where she served
as president of the Harvard Legal Aid Bureau. It was no surprise that after law school,
Kiah became an attorney with the Civil Rights Corps in Washington, D.C., continuing
her family’s legacy of advocacy and service.
During her tenure as an attorney, Kiah litigated on behalf of movements challenging
unconstitutional policing and money bail practices. She studied prison industrial
complex abolition and movement lawyering as a Law 4 Black Lives Fellow and integrated
those concepts into her daily work.
Her family remains active in the Wichita community, and this tragedy has profoundly
impacted all who knew her. Today, we mourn the loss of one of our own. To those who
had the privilege of knowing Kiah, our hearts are with you during this incredibly
difficult time.
Kiah was a beacon of light, a testament to perseverance and an inspiration to all
who dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals. We hope her legacy continues
to inspire our students, serving as a reminder of what is possible through determination,
passion and purpose.
