Marilyn
Peppers-Citizen
Biography
Marilyn Peppers-Citizen, PhD, MBA, MS, NBC-HWC, C-IAYT, is a certified yoga therapist, national board-certified health and wellness coach, and assistant professor in the Master of Science in Yoga Therapy program at the Notre Dame of Maryland University School of Integrative Health. She specializes in aging well and has supported various communities to include veterans and their families and caregivers in health and well-being. She is a Brain Longevity® specialist and ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation yoga advisory council. Marilyn is president of the Black Yoga Teachers Alliance Board of Directors and treasurer of the Aromatic Research Quality Appraisal Task Force Board of Directors.
Education
Doctor of Philosophy – Public Policy, Walden University, Minneapolis, MN. Interdisciplinary Policy Studies Concentration
Master of Science – National Resource Strategy, National Defense University, Washington, DC. Information Strategies Concentration
Master of Business Administration, Fairleigh Dickinson University, Teaneck, NJ
Bachelor of Arts – Broadcast Journalism, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
American Society for Public Administration
Pi Alpha Alpha, Honor Society for Public Affairs and Administration
International Association of Yoga Therapists
Black Yoga Teachers Alliance
American Council on Exercise
American Public Health Association
Virginia Public Health Association
Yoga Alliance
Alliance of International Aromatherapists
Program Management Institute
Military Officers Association of America
National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy
Certification and Training
Higher Education, Health, Wellness, Yoga
Certified Yoga Therapist, International Association of Yoga Therapists (C-IAYT)
National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach (NBC-HWC), National Board HWC
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Workplace Certificate, University of South Florida
Inclusive Teaching: Supporting All Students in the College Classroom, ColumbiaX
Brain Longevity Therapist, Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation
MindBody Therapy, Embodied Philosophy (300 hour)
Mindful Yoga for Chronic Pain, Duke Health and Wellbeing
Mindful Based Stress Reduction, Duke Health and Wellbeing
Integrated Amrit Method (I AM) Yoga Nidra Advanced Level Certification
Integrated Restoration (iRest) Level 2 Certified
Personal Trainer, American Council on Exercise
Experienced-Registered Yoga Teacher (E-RYT500), yoga continuing education provider, Yoga Alliance
Certified Aromatherapist, Aromahead Institute, School of Essential Oils
Holistic Health Coach, Institute of Integrative Nutrition
Program Design for Older Adults, National Academy of Sports Medicine
Award
2012 Outstanding Alumna, College of Media and Communications, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
1. Reven, M. E., Bowles, E. J., Ablard, K., Peppers-Citizen, M., Joswiak, D. J., May-Fitzgerald, A. C., & Unger, B. J. (2025). Essential criteria for reporting of aromatherapy-focused research in humans: An international Delphi consensus study protocol. PLOS One. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0318379
2. Reven, M. E., Bowles, E. J., Audia, D. D., Cohen, M. M., Joswiak, D. J., Kurkas Lee, B. A., May-Fitzgerald, A. C., Peppers-Citizen, M., Resnick, J. A., Tomaino, J. M., & Unger, B. J. (2024). Quality Appraisal of Research Reporting for Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Studies in Humans: Proposed Checklist for "Transparent Reporting for Essential oil and Aroma Therapeutic Studies." Journal of integrative and complementary medicine, 10.1089/jicm.2023.0006. https://doi.org/10.1089/jicm.2023.0006
Books
Muhammad, C. M. & Peppers-Citizen, M. (2024). Yoga in the Black community: Practices and principles. Singing Dragon.
Non-Peer Reviewed Articles
1. Peppers-Citizen, M. & Muhammad, C. M. (2025). Yoga in Black communities: A healing justice movement. Yoga Therapy Today. Winter, 2025.
2. Knowlton, W., & Browning, J. (2005). Health care: A report on the industry.
Peer Reviewer
1. Virginia Public Health Association, peer review, 2025
2. Journal of Social, Behavioral, and Health Sciences, peer review, 2024
3. American Public Health Association, Community Health Planning and Policy
Development, peer review, 2024 & 2023
4. Maryland University of Integrative Health Research Symposium, abstract Review, 2023 & 2022
5. Journal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine, peer review, 2023
6. International Journal of Yoga Therapy, peer review, 2022
Professional Activities
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Muhammad, C. & Peppers-Citizen, M. (2025). Weaving a cultural perspective of the 4 pillars through the practice of yoga. Alzheimer’s Research and Prevention Foundation.
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Pampanin, M. (Host). (2025, January 6). Yoga therapy in the Black community. (No. S3) [Video podcast episode]. In Yoga therapy: The alchemy of healing. https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/marie-pampanin/episodes/Yoga-Therapy-In-The-Black-Community-Yoga-Therapy-The-Alchemy-of-Healing-S3-e2uehh9
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Muhammad, C. & Peppers-Citizen, M. (2024, August 23). Yoga in the Black community. Back Together Again [Conference]. Black Yoga Teachers Alliance 9th Bi-annual Conference. Stockbridge, MA, United States.
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Veterans Health Administration, Institute for Learning, Education and Development. Yoga in the Black community. (Personal Communication), August 15, 2024
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Peppers-Citizen, M. (2024, August 23). Supporting healing through the healing arts. Back Together Again [Symposium]. Hero’s Journey. John P. Mayhew Foundation 5th Annual Symposium. Washington, DC, United States.