Civil rights attorney, Wichita State grad remembered as ‘beacon of light’ after plane crash

If her professors at Wichita State University could use one word to describe Kiah Duggins, it’s committed.

Duggins, now 30 and a civil rights lawyer, was among the 60 passengers who died Wednesday night on Flight 5342 to Washington D.C.

“She never stopped,” Dorothy Harpool, Duggins’ marketing professor, said.

Duggins received two bachelor’s degrees from Wichita State University; an international business degree and Spanish degree.

Her Spanish professor remembers her as an excellent student and a good citizen.

“She was really involved with the community, but also she was really able to understand society and to analyze what was going on,” Enrique Navarro said.

Duggins grew up in Wichita. Her family said Friday they were “coming to terms with the grief associated with the loss of our beautiful and accomplished firstborn” and asked that people respect their privacy.

She was awarded the Clay Barton Scholarship, a prestigious business scholarship, and attended WSU after graduating from the International Baccalaureate program at East High School. At WSU, she co-founded the Shocker Support Locker, a food and hygiene pantry for students.

She also was an intern for then-First Lady Michelle Obama in 2016 where she worked on the Let Girls Learn initiative.

After graduating from Wichita State, Duggins went on to Harvard Law.

“When I found out she got into Harvard Law. I mean, of course, she did,” Harpool said. “It just exemplifies … how a Wichita kid can just experience so much success, but still keep her roots here.”

Duggins, who worked as an attorney for the Civil Rights Corps, was set to be a professor at Howard University this fall.

“As a civil rights lawyer, she dedicated her career to fighting against unconstitutional policing and unjust money bail practices in Tennessee, Texas and Washington, D.C.,” a statement by Howard University said.

Outside of her many accomplishments, Duggins was also an influence to others.

“Kiah was a beacon of light, a testament to perseverance, and an inspiration to all who dream big and work tirelessly to achieve their goals,” a Facebook post by the Barton School of Business at Wichita State said.

Remembrances of Duggins have been been shared nationwide, even in an Instagram post by Tina Knowles, Beyonce’s mother.

“So very saddened by the loss of this beautiful accomplished young woman. Rest in peace to her family sending condolences and love to you. God Bless your Soul Kiah,” the post said.

This story was originally published January 31, 2025 at 3:11 PM.