Dreeben Assistant Professor Named Freedom Scholar Award Recipient

Dr. Lisa R. Brown, assistant professor in the Dreeben School of Education (DSE), was named a Freedom Scholar Award recipient by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The association, which was established in 1915 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, known as the Father of Black History, is the founding organization of Black History Month and strives to continue the work and legacy of Dr. Woodson.

Per the organization’s website, the Freedom Scholar Award recognizes the work and contributions of an early career academic whose scholarship focuses on the empowerment of the African American community. To be considered for the honor, applicants must submit an original written essay that demonstrates how their work has made a positive impact on the African American community, as well as share data proving that the impact is a direct result of the applicant’s scholarship.

Dr. Brown has demonstrated such impact in numerous ways throughout her career thus far. She earned her Ph.D. in Adult Education, Learning and Organization Development from the University of Georgia. Before joining the University of the Incarnate Word, she served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Psychology and Education at Columbus State Community College instructing teacher preparation courses. Before joining CSCC, she was the 2017-2018 Ursuline College Faculty Diversity Fellow, a position supported by a grant from the KeyBank Foundation of Cleveland, Ohio.

Dr. Brown has a specialization in program evaluation and among her administrative roles, she served as the coordinator of minority admissions and retention programs at the Miami University of Ohio and Director of Intercultural Relations at the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. She is an active member of the American Association of Adult and Continuing Education (AAACE) serving as a conference proposal reviewer and presenter. Her community service work has included participation in The White House African American Stakeholders on PPP and COVID-19 Relief Efforts under the Trump Administration. In her time at UIW, she has also spearheaded the University’s Black History Month committee and taken an active role in San Antonio’s DreamWeek and Black History celebrations.

The award will be presented at the ASALH’s 108th conference in Jacksonville, Florida this September. Learn more about the association here.