JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – Judy Carr, associate professor of psychology/sociology at Missouri State University-West Plains, recently was honored by Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon with the Missouri Council on Public Higher Education’s Governor’s Award for Excellence in Education.
The 15 recipients of this year’s award were recognized during a luncheon in their honor on Tuesday, April 7, on the campus of Lincoln University in Jefferson City, Missouri. The annual award honors outstanding faculty from post-secondary public schools, colleges and universities within the state. The recipients were selected by their respective institutions for effective teaching, innovation in course design and delivery, effective advising, service to the institution’s community, and commitment to high standards of excellence.
“The student evaluations of Judy Carr are some of my favorite,” said Missouri State-West Plains Chancellor Drew Bennett. “Countless students have commented on her professionalism, dedication and ability to make her subject interesting. Once described by a student as a ‘super heroine,’ she is truly an outstanding teacher.”
In nominating Carr for the award, her peers noted her dedication to making sure students succeed throughout their academic careers. “Judy’s classes are some of the most popular on the campus and are consistently over capacity,” her nominators siad. “She attends various professional development conferences to improve her courses and stays up to date within her profession through her memberships in the American Psychological Assocation and the American Sociological Association.”
Carr was praised by her nominators for her efforts as a “stellar” adviser to students, as well as her mentorship of incoming faculty, pointing out she “personifies the definition of collegiality among her peers.” As a result, she has earned the university’s Faculty Merit Award in 2012 and the Faculty Mentor Award in 2007 and 2011.
During her 23 years with Missouri State-West Plains, she has served as division chair for arts, education and social sciences since 1998, as Faculty Senate chair, and on numerous committees. Off campus, she has served as a member of the Christos House Board of Directors and on committees with various other community organizations.
Carr has taught a total of 25 years during her career, 23 at Missouri State-West Plains. She spent six years as a per course faculty member before being hired full time. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Southwest Baptist University in Bolivar, Missouri, and earned a Master of Arts in Sociology through Arkansas State University in Mtn. Home.
For more information about the degree offerings at Missouri State University-West Plains, visit the campus’ website, wp.missouristate.edu.