Dr. Durriyyah Kemp serves as assistant director for the northeastern Illinois counties. In this role, Dr. Kemp provides leadership and vision for aligning resources and partners to support the development and delivery of regional and statewide educational initiatives. She manages field operations and supports county directors and staff in the northern region.

Kemp joined the University of Illinois staff in 2006. She served as a 4-H youth development educator for the northeast region before transitioning to focus on social and emotional learning (SEL) in Cook County. There she worked closely with school staff to address the integration of SEL and overall academic success at the K-12 level. She also provided training in emotional intelligence, staff development, team building, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

She has been recognized for her contributions to social and emotional learning in Illinois and has received the Outstanding Innovative Programming (Team Award) for SEL.  Kemp has also been recognized for excellence in diversity (Team Award) and overall excellence in Extension.

Kemp is a certified facilitator for the Real Colors Temperament Style Instrument, the EQ-i 2.0 and EQ 360 (Emotional Intelligence), and Navigating Difference: Cultural Competency Training.  She also holds a certification for DEI in the Workplace from the University of South Florida.

Kemp graduated from Michigan State University with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in social science. She also earned a doctorate in higher education & organizational change from Benedictine University.