Our Voices: Branden D. Elmore, PhD

Branden D. Elmore, PhD is a 2020 alumnus of The Pennsylvania State University, Higher Education program. He is a graduate of Fayetteville State University where he obtained a B.A. in Communication with a Certificate in Professional Writing, as well as a M.A. in Communication Studies from University of Cincinnati. After serving as a McNair scholar throughout his undergraduate studies, Branden became one of two recipients of the University of Cincinnati’s, Ronald E. McNair Graduate Fellowship. 

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In 2015 Branden was named one of the inaugural National Black Justice Coalition’s “100 Emerging Black LGBT Leaders.” Dedicated to servant-leadership, Branden held the title of Mr. Black Fayetteville USA in 2016, being one of the first to represent in the name of his city in the state competition. Additionally, in 2017 Branden presented his research titled “University Administrative Responses to Campus Racial Crises at PWIs” at the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Conference, where he was awarded the African American Knowledge Community (AAKC) Graduate Student “Umoja” Research Award. As a doctoral student, Branden was recognized for his commitment to inclusion and community, when named one of Penn State’s 2019 Graduate Student Homecoming Court Representatives. 

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As a scholar-practitioner, Branden has dedicated his academic and professional work towards seeking achieving inclusive excellence. His dissertation titled, “Identity Negotiation Among Black Administrators at a PWI” interrogates the duality of being Black and holding positions of leadership in spaces where these identities are minoritized and undervalued. His current research and practice focus on identifying pathways for equity, access, and inclusion of diverse identities. Branden's work strategically promotes and advocates for racial mental health support and well-being in the academic and workplace setting.