Harold Kihega

Dr. Harold Kihega serves as Professor and Chair of the School of Science at Mid-America Christian University (MACU), where he has been employed since 2016. A member of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe (Jiwere-Nut’achi) of Oklahoma, he has dedicated his career to advancing science education for underrepresented communities through institutional partnerships and targeted grant initiatives.

His academic credentials include:

• Bachelor of Science from Cameron University
• Master's Degree from University of Central Oklahoma
• PhD from The University of Oklahoma (doctoral work began at University of Montana)

Dr. Kihega's research focuses on Biology program development and culturally responsive Science Education, particularly for Native American and rural student populations. He established MACU's Bachelor of Science Biology program and forged strategic partnerships with Oklahoma State University College of Health Sciences, The University of Arkansas, and The University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center to expand research access.

His scholarly contributions have been recognized through:

• Sloan and MEID-NSF Scholar designation
• Rainer Fellowship from the American Indian Graduate Center

As a principal investigator, Dr. Kihega leads USDA-funded initiatives including a grant bringing science curriculum to rural classrooms for underrepresented groups and Phase II of the concurrent courses program for Oklahoma rural schools. He also co-directs the Minority Institution Research Collaborative at the University of Arkansas – Ceballos Laboratory, driving collaborative research among minority-serving institutions.