WOMEN MAKING HISTORY 2026: Dr. Shenika Hankerson | Assistant Professor, Applied Linguistics and Language Education | University of Maryland, College Park

Courtesy Photo:Dr. Shenika Hankerson, Assistant Professor at the University of Maryland, is a leading scholar in Black Language research, linguistic justice, and culturally affirming education.

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Meet Dr. Shenika Hankerson, a scholar, educator, and advocate whose work centers the power, identity, and cultural significance of Black language.

A proud graduate of Michigan State University, where she earned her Ph.D. in Rhetoric and Writing, Dr. Hankerson has built a career at the intersection of scholarship, justice, and community impact. Today, she serves as an Assistant Professor of Applied Linguistics and Language Education at the University of Maryland, College Park, where her research and teaching focus on Black Language, rhetoric and composition, African diaspora languages, and advancing racial and linguistic equity within educational systems.

Dr. Hankerson’s work asks important questions about how language shapes identity and opportunity. Her research explores how Black Language speakers’ linguistic identities influence their writing practices and how Afrocentric, anti-racist, and culturally responsive teaching approaches can validate and affirm the lived linguistic experiences of Black students. Through this work, she seeks to create educational environments where students’ voices are not corrected or silenced, but respected, understood, and celebrated.

Her scholarship has been widely published in leading academic journals including Written Communication, Journal of Second Language Writing, and the International Multilingual Research Journal. She is also currently working on a forthcoming book focused on Black Language and rhetoric and composition pedagogy.

Dr. Hankerson’s research has received more than $1.1 million in grant funding, including support from the Institute of Education Sciences (IES), helping advance studies related to language, race, education, mentorship, and equity both in the United States and globally.

A major influence on Dr. Hankerson’s work is legendary linguist and scholar-activist Dr. Geneva Smitherman, widely recognized as the mother of Black Language scholarship. Dr. Smitherman’s advocacy for linguistic justice in education has inspired generations of scholars, including Dr. Hankerson.

“She has been a great mentor and friend to me,” Dr. Hankerson shares. “Her generosity with her time, insightful feedback on my work, and unwavering encouragement have played an important role in my scholarly journey.”

Beyond the classroom and research community, Dr. Hankerson remains deeply committed to service. She is a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated, where leadership, mentorship, and community uplift remain central values.

One of the roles that shapes her most, however, is motherhood. Dr. Shaneka Hankerson is the proud mother of her daughter, Ariyana, whom she describes as wonderful, brilliant, and grounding.

“Motherhood has taught me so much about responsibility, love, and resilience,” she says. “Ariyana makes me laugh, and she keeps me grounded and grateful.”

Through her scholarship, teaching, mentorship, and community engagement, Dr. Shenika continues to elevate the importance of language, culture, and identity, ensuring that the voices and experiences of Black communities are respected and represented within education and beyond.

Explore additional publications via Dr. Hankerson’s UMD Department Profile and LinkedIn