The College of Humanities and Social Sciences is proud to honor Kimiko Lighty, MAIS '10, with the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award in MAIS.
Lighty is the founding executive director of Restorative Arlington (RA), where she led the design and implementation of RA’s Heart of Safety Restorative Justice Conferencing Program, a restorative justice diversion program serving Arlington County’s legal system, schools, and the community.
In her current role as RA’s director of special projects, Lighty is focusing her energy and skills on developing an innovative new program to address domestic violence and sexual harm through an OVW Pilot Grant and facilitating Restorative Arlington’s Circle Training.
Congratulations, Kimiko Lighty!
The College of Humanities and Social Sciences honors distinguished alumni each fall at Community and Catalysts: Achievements, Awards, and Innovations. This signature event is a celebration of alumni, faculty, and students whose leadership, research, and service have made outstanding contributions to their fields, communities, and to the university.