Kemia Himon joins McDaniel College as director of financial aid
McDaniel College’s new Financial Aid Director Kemia Himon has experience working in higher education financial aid departments, previously serving as the financial aid director at Arkansas Baptist College, a private, historically black liberal arts college in Little Rock, Ark. At McDaniel, she oversees the college’s financial aid program, including more than $40 million annually invested in grants and scholarships.
Kemia Himon has been named director of financial aid at McDaniel College. Throughout her career, she has worked in higher education financial aid departments, previously serving as the financial aid director at Arkansas Baptist College, a private, historically black liberal arts college in Little Rock, Ark.
At McDaniel, she oversees the college’s financial aid program of federal, state and institutional aid. More than 90 percent of students at McDaniel receive some type of financial assistance, and the college invests more than $40 million annually in need-based grants and merit scholarships to ensure that students from all kinds of financial backgrounds are able to experience a McDaniel education.
“As the financial aid director, my primary goal is to serve our students,” Himon said. “This is the year of crossing over into a new territory within the office. There have been numerous changes, and I am extremely excited to continue to lead the office through many more innovative developments.”
The McDaniel College Financial Aid Department includes Financial Aid Specialists Aza Smith and Carlee Hastings, Director Kemia Himon, Senior Associate Director Destiny Guerrero and Financial Aid Specialist Andrew McLaughlin.
Under Himon’s leadership, every McDaniel student is now assigned to a specific financial aid staff member who will assist them throughout their four years at McDaniel.
Following her work at Arkansas Baptist College, she became the financial aid director at Washington Barber College in Little Rock, Ark., where she performed various functions for the entire institution. Himon also worked at The Kenaly Complement Consultant Company as a financial aid administrator consultant before joining McDaniel College. In that role, Himon served as a consultant to a wide array of higher education institutions, assisting with aid administration best practices.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Philander Smith College in Little Rock, Ark., and obtained a master’s degree in Human Resources Management from Webster University in Little Rock, Ark. She currently resides in Westminster, Md.
