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Kentucky State University President M. Christopher Brown II recently announced the Presidential Awards of Excellence 2020 winners during the State of the University Assembly. Faculty and staff affecting all aspects of the University were honored.

Dr. Barr, assistant professor of sociology at Kentucky State University, received the 2020 President’s Award for Excellence in Research.

Barr has served the University for four years and previously taught at Clemson University. Barr will be a visiting scholar at Northwestern University in the spring. Barr received her bachelor’s in sociology at the University of California, Los Angeles and her Ph.D. from Yale University. 

The Evanston, Illinois native said her favorite part about working at Kentucky State is the students.

“I’m supposed to be the teacher but sometimes I think I learn more from them than they do from me,” Barr said.

Barr said she considers it a huge privilege to work at Kentucky State. 

“I was deeply moved when I found out that I had won the President’s Award for Excellence in Research,” Barr said.

Chris Cribbs, state specialist for entrepreneurship, received the 2020 President’s Award in Excellence in Cooperative Extension.

Cribbs has served at Kentucky State since 2015 in various roles across campus.

“It has been a tremendous honor to serve the mission of Kentucky State University,” Cribbs said.

The Vernon, Alabama native said his favorite part of working at Kentucky State is the pride that comes with working at an HBCU.

Cribbs said he had no words when he found out he won the 2020 President’s Award in Excellence in Cooperative Extension.

Jamar D. Simmons, principal investigator and director of TRiO Student Support Services, received the 2020 President’s Award for Excellence in Student Services.

The proud native of Atlanta, Georgia has served the University since 2018.

Simmons said his favorite part of the job is commencement.

“We are blessed to see young people realize their dreams, connect the long nights and headaches to accomplishment, present their dirty fingernails from clawing over every obstacle, and return on investments made by family members,” Simmons said. “Every day I walk on the Hill, I am humbled by the work I have the opportunity to do with my first-generation and income-limited students.”

Simmons said he was in shock to find out he won the 2020 President’s Award for Excellence in Student Services.

“Just like the hundreds of other Kentucky State faculty and staff members, I work in the spirit of transformation and love,” Simmons said. “To be somehow recognized as someone who has done it with excellence is beyond belief. Truly one of the greatest moments of my professional career.”