Dr. Whitnee Coy Honored with Eastern Kentucky University Young Alumni Award
Awarded for Exceptional Contributions in Writing, Teaching, and Community Engagement
Rapid City, SD – May 6 2025 – Dr. Whitnee Coy, an accomplished poet, educator, and advocate
for cultural sustainability in education, has been named a recipient of the Eastern Kentucky
University (EKU) Young Alumni Award. This prestigious award recognizes alumni under the age
of 40 who have made significant contributions to their professions and communities. Dr. Coy
was nominated by the Bluegrass Writers Studio, EKU’s MFA Creative Writing program, where
she earned her Master of Fine Arts degree.
Throughout her career, Dr. Coy has demonstrated exceptional talent and dedication in her work
as a writer and educator. She has contributed to the academic and literary communities while
also serving as a strong advocate of educational equity through the means of family and
community engagement, social-emotional learning, and cultural sustainability. Her
accomplishments include three poetry chapbooks, Kintsukuroi, Cicurate, and this deep, wide,
dark world which all explore themes of healing, identity, and the human experience.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition,” Dr. Coy said. “The Bluegrass Writers Studio
and EKU have been a foundation of support, not just for my writing career but for me as a
person. Their belief in me has been unwavering, and this award is as much a celebration of their
support as it is of my own work. I’m grateful for the continued encouragement and for the
opportunity to give back to my community through writing and teaching.”
In addition to her poetry work, Dr. Coy is excited to announce the release of several upcoming
projects. This summer, she will release her poetry chapbook A Limb Outgrowing a Weathered
Tree (Finishing Line Press), as well as her full-length poetry collection We Left Constellations In
Each Other (Kelsay Books). These new works delve into themes of resilience, family, and the
interwoven connections that define our lives. Furthermore, Dr. Coy’s upcoming children’s book,
Elsie’s Adventures to Harmony Hills: The Big Move, will also be released in summer 2025,
continuing her commitment to promoting social-emotional learning and mental wellness in
children’s literature. This is the second book in the “Elsie’s Adventures” series after debuting the
award-winning book, Elsie’s Adventures to Brainy Cove, last year teaching about the brain
science behind emotions to children and adults alike.
The EKU Young Alumni Award recognizes those who go above and beyond in their fields and to
society, and Dr. Coy is proud to carry the spirit of an EKU Colonel into her creative endeavors
and educational work. She will be honored during EKU’s Homecoming this fall at the Awards
Banquet, where she will celebrate with fellow alumni and mentors.
“I am excited to return to EKU, reconnect with the wonderful people who helped shape my
journey, and celebrate this full-circle moment,” Dr. Coy added.
About Dr. Whitnee Coy:
Dr. Whitnee Coy is a poet, educator, and advocate with a deep commitment to family
engagement and culturally sustaining teaching. She holds a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D.) in
Education Policy, Organization, and Leadership, with an emphasis on Diversity and Equity. Dr.
Coy has worked in various educational settings, including tribal colleges, and is dedicated to
promoting literacy, culturally sustaining pedagogy, and social-emotional learning through her
work. She earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Eastern Kentucky University and continues
to make significant contributions to her field through both her academic and literary endeavors.
She is a professor at Oglala Lakota College and when she is not working enjoys spending time
with her family or doing stick-poke tattoos with her husband, Jesse.
