Dawna Jones, an adjunct instructor with the School of Education, has won a public service award from the University.
Jones was one of 10 people and one organization recognized at UNC-Chapel Hill’s annual Public Service Awards event on Thursday (April 15) for their contributions to the campus and broader communities.
At the ceremony, the Carolina Center for Public Service presented the Ned Brooks Award for Public Service, Office of the Provost Engaged Scholarship Awards and Robert E. Bryan Public Service Awards.
Jones was recognized as the staff recipient of a Robert E. Bryan Public Service Award, which recognizes students, staff and faculty for their exemplary public service efforts.
Jones, who is an assistant dean of students in the University’s Student Affairs office, teaches a First Year Thriving course for the School of Education. She was recognized for her leadership work with the Carolina Black Caucus and the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP and for her contributions to several initiatives of those organizations.
Under Jones’s leadership as chair of the Carolina Black Caucus, the group has seen its membership grown by 87%. As chair of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro NAACP, Jones worked to form partnerships with EmPOWERment Inc. and UNC-Chapel Hill to create a leadership experience for UNC-Chapel Hill students. The program enables six Carolina students to work with local community leaders, social justice activists and elected officials to help create and implement the strategic plan of the local NAACP.
This year’s public service awards event was held virtually. A video recording of the event will be available here: https://ccps.unc.edu/awards-fellowships/.