BLOOMINGTON - Kira Hudson Banks has proven it's not how long you do something for the community, but what you do and how well you do it.

She only has been in the Twin Cities for a couple of years, but already has had an impact on the lives of junior high school and university students, won the McLean County Chamber of Commerce Women's Division Athena Award, earned respect from the McLean County Urban League, and been named one of the Pantagraph's "20 Under 40."

Kira Hudson Banks

The assistant professor of psychology at Illinois Wesleyan University paired Bloomington and Normal junior high school students with student mentors from IWU for the Go-Girl program.

In the pilot project, the college students encouraged the younger girls to consider careers in mathematics and science by engaging them in research projects relevant to their life experiences, said Ira Neal of the McLean County Urban League, a partner in the project.

"She has the courage and fortitude to deliver on whatever challenges and opportunities she faces," Neal said. "She had a 95 percent completion rate for the junior high school student participants, and both groups of students benefited equally."

Added Professor Narendra Jaggi, "It became clear to me that Kira was not only transforming the attitude of these junior high girls toward math and science, she was also inspiring the IWU students to serve their own communities, wherever they might be."

Hudson Banks works with the Black Student Government group at the university and challenges students to get actively involved in their community and meet local leaders.

"She has the ability to bring people together and unite them toward working for the common good of society," Neal said.

"She is guided by her own vision," added Jean Pretz, an assistant professor of psychology who joined IWU about the same time as Hudson Banks.

Her work extends beyond any one research project and is part of her impact on the world, Pretz said. Others can see that she really believes people can make a difference, Pretz added.

"Right away, I knew that we had found a rare gem: a scholar whose commitment to excellence in her profession is matched by her passion to serve her community," Jaggi said.

Five interesting facts

Who: Kira Hudson Banks

Hero: "My mother. She was able to multitask, be a mother, be present and have her own career. She also modeled for me to give back and to serve the community."

First pet: "A gray-and-white cat named Muffy - Muffin Puffin Hudson. He was the size of a pillow and very lovable."

Last movie I saw: "Akeelah and the Bee"

What annoys me: Lack of accountability.

Quote to live by: "We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality. … Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."- Martin Luther King.

Close second: "A small group of thoughtful people could change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead