Veteran Leader and Alumna Recognized for National Impact and 16 Years of Excellence

Chrishana “Shana” Granger, longtime director of the Dancin’ Divas at Alabama A&M University, has been named the 2026 HBCU Auxiliary Coach of the Year, an honor presented during the HBCU Auxiliary and Dance Directors Association Conference held March 26–29 at Evergreen Lakeside Resort in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Granger, who has led the Dancin’ Divas for 16 years, was selected from a competitive field of nominees that included coaches from Jackson State University and Vorhees University. The annual conference drew more than 400 attendees and serves as a national platform for training, education and mentorship for auxiliary and dance professionals across historically Black colleges and universities, as well as high school and community programs.

“Being selected as the HBCU Coach of the Year is an honor that touches me in ways I’m still finding the words for,” said Granger. “After years of coaching, teaching, correcting, encouraging and pouring into dancers, this recognition feels both overwhelming and deeply humbling.”

A proud alumna of Alabama A&M, Granger was a member of the Dancin’ Divas from 1999 to 2003 and later returned to lead the program, shaping it into one of the most recognized collegiate dance teams in the nation. She graduated magna cum laude in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in international business administration and later earned a master’s degree in business administration from Columbia College in Missouri.

Her coaching career spans more than 17 years and includes a legacy of national achievements. Under her leadership, the Dancin’ Divas earned first-place honors in the 2018 Tampax Radiant Dance Off, were named a top three Nike Yard Runners dance team in 2022, and performed on national television during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade alongside Grammy Award-winning artist Jon Batiste in 2023. The team also made history as the first HBCU dance team to open for the Radio City Rockettes and secured sponsorships from Ulta Beauty and the Rockettes organization.

In addition to her work with the Dancin’ Divas, Granger serves on the executive board of the HBCU Auxiliary Directors Conference, where she advocates for the growth and visibility of auxiliary programs nationwide. Her influence extends beyond the stage, as she continues to mentor young performers and preserve the culture and legacy of HBCU dance.

A native of Philadelphia with ties to Mobile, Alabama, Granger balances her professional career with her roles as a wife and mother of two. She is also a member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. and works professionally in federal service as a chief of procurement systems innovation and data communications.

“This award reminds me of why I continue to do what I do,” said Granger. “I have a chance to expose the Dancin’ Divas to various dance genres and collaborate with my peers while helping guide the next generation of collegiate dancers.”