“Accolades” features the achievements of Թϱ’s faculty and staff, highlighting the honors and awards they have received and displaying their dedication, expertise and contributions in their respective fields. You can find the on the University Communications web page.
Barbara Blake, Ed.D., executive director of the Թϱ Monarch Internship and Co-Op Office and Monarch Internship Academy for the Humanities, was named one of Virginia Business Magazine’s 2025 Women in Leadership Award recipients. The awards celebrate executives for their professional accomplishments, civic engagement and mentorship. With more than 20 years of experience in economic research, education and leadership, Dr. Blake oversees all aspects of the Presidential initiative to create high-impact work-based programs that connect Թϱ students with employers and prepare them for the changing world of work. She holds a Bachelor of Science in International Business from High Point University, a Master of Arts in International Studies from the University of Leeds and a Doctorate in Higher Education Administration from The George Washington University. She is an expert in regional economic analysis, workforce reintegration, wage and leadership gaps and urbanization.
Թϱ’s Communications Team won a Silver Telly Award for its 30-second commercial for the General Educational Institution category for regional or multi-market cable commercials. “Forward-Focused on You” opens with a call to “rise to life’s challenges” and to “go beyond the classroom, roll up our sleeves and dig in.” University Communications partnered with Studio Center for concept/copy development, creative direction and production.
Emily Goodman-Scott, Ph.D., a professor and school counseling coordinator at Թϱ, won the 2025 Exemplary Mentorship award from AARC for advancing future scholars through guidance, advisement, research and leadership opportunities. In her application, mentees appreciated Dr. Goodman-Scott's directing the Holmes Scholars Program, where she coordinates the first Թϱ cohort. She was also recognized for co-creating the ASCA Professional School Counseling Emerging Scholars Program in which early career scholars build community, advance scholarship and aim for greater representation in the field. This group recently published the first PSC Emerging Scholars journal special issue. Her research centers on school counseling including Multi-tiered Systems of Support, preparation and practice, and counseling youth with diverse abilities. She has published two books, more than 60 journal articles, is an ACA Fellow, received the ACA Research Award and is the most published author in the Professional School Counseling journal.
Krista Harrell, Ph.D., an Թϱ triple alumna and the associate vice president of Alumni Relations, was named to the CIVIC Executive Class of 2026 by the Civic Leadership Institute. Since 2022, she has served as the chief administrator and strategist for the Թϱ Alumni Association and Office of Alumni Relations, providing leadership for all alumni engagement. She leads in the cultivation of a community of more than 176,000 living alumni throughout the United States and around the world. She plays a strategic role in supporting Թϱ’s advancement and alumni relations efforts and serves as a key member of the Vice President of University Advancement’s senior leadership team. Before joining her alma mater, she worked in higher education for 20 years and was previously the assistant vice president for student affairs at the University of South Alabama.