Excellence Awards Presented during 2025 Convocation of Scholars Ceremony
JONESBORO – Three individuals and three organizations that have helped foster excellence at Arkansas State University and in the Jonesboro community were recognized as recipients of the 2025 Excellence in Diversity and Champion of Diversity Awards during Convocation of Scholars.
Perdeta Bush, who recently launched PLB Consulting in Athens, Ga., was guest speaker for the awards luncheon. Bush previously served as Title IX and institutional equity director at A-State. PLB Consulting focuses on project management, program planning and organizational management.
The Excellence Awards program highlights individuals and organizations that have demonstrated the highest commitment to excellence in their respective activities, according to Dr. Carlitta Moore, vice chancellor, Division of Access and Institutional Engagement at A-State.
In recognition of their achievements, recipients of the Excellence Award are:
– Cheneria Boykins, recipient of the Excellence in Enhancement of Student Access & Belonging Award. Boykins is a first-generation college student, is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in social work with minors in child advocacy and interdisciplinary family studies. She is interning with Access and Accommodations, mentoring students with disabilities. She also has been a resident assistant on campus for the past three years and has been involved in many campus organizations.
– Destinee Rogers, recipient of the Excellence in Campus Impact and Leadership Award. Rogers just completed her third full season as head coach of the Arkansas State Red Wolves women’s basketball program. In 2024-25, Coach Rogers led the team to a 21-11 (15-3 SBC) record, winning the Sun Belt Conference tournament championship and making its first NCAA Tournament appearance.
– Arkansas State University Museum, recipient of the Excellence in Community Engagement and Campus Impact Award. A-State Museum, which began in 1933 as a creation of the History Club, has grown from a few exhibit cases in Wilson Hall to a complex devoted to serving the A-State community, Northeast Arkansas region and beyond. It offers tours, events and exhibit content that fosters further learning and doing through informal education environments.
Those honored with the Champion Award are:
– Chi Sigma Iota – Beta Rho Chapter, recipient of the Champion of Enhancement of Student Access and Belonging. The chapter was reactivated this year after a 14-year hiatus, reestablishing a vital space for academic excellence, inclusion and community within the counseling profession. The chapter has prioritized initiatives that promote access and belonging, including cultural competency workshops, peer support circles and guest lectures. In addition, Beta Rho engages in an ongoing commitment to support suicide prevention initiatives.
– The Lupine Wellness Center at A-State, recipient of the Champion of Community Engagement and Campus Impact. The center is a student-led clinical training facility dedicated to providing accessible, culturally responsive mental health services to the Northeast Arkansas region. Operated by graduate-level counseling students under the supervision of licensed faculty, the center offers individual, family and play therapy services to children, adolescents and adults.
– Dr. Benjamin Poku, recipient of the Champion of Community Engagement and Campus Impact. Poku is a public health educator and scholar with more than 25 years of international experience. He is assistant professor at A-State, where he leads initiatives in curriculum development, student mentorship and community partnerships. His academic and consultancy work has supported public health programs in China, the United Arab Emirates and multiple U.S. institutions.
Recipients of the Excellence Awards are selected by a university committee from among a slate of nominations. Additional details about the Excellence Awards program and award criteria are available online.
Excellence Award recipients are (from left) Fredrick Webb standing in for Dr. Benjamin Poku, assistant professor; Jill Kary and Elisabeth Engel, A-State Museum; Destinee Rogers, women’s basketball coach; Dr. Asher Pimpleton-Gray, The Lupine Wellness Center; Dr. Ashley Williams-Whitley, Beta Rho Chapter of Chi Sigma Iota; and Cheneria Boykins, social work student and intern in Access and Accommodations. Dr. Carlitta Moore (right), vice chancellor, Division of Access and Institutional Engagement, presented awards.
