UAlbany Official Among Governor's First-Ever African American Leaders in Excellence Award Winners

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Carson Carr, Jr., Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and director of the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) at the University at Albany, will be one of the first individuals honored with the newly established Governor's Tribute to African American Leaders of Excellence in State Service Award at ceremonies at the Empire State Plaza on Tuesday, Feb. 6.

"Carson Carr is a great asset to the University at Albany and we are proud that his accomplishments, long recognized by the University, continue to be acknowledged outside the University," said Carlos E. Santiago, interim provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. "We are appreciative of his contributions to UAlbany, our students, and the broader community."

Since joining the UAlbany staff in 1985, Carr has doubled the EOP graduation rate, from 25 percent at the time of his arrival to above 50 percent -- giving UAlbany one of the highest graduation rates among the State University of New York system's 50 EOP programs.

The award, one of the Empire State's highest honors for service, will be presented during the annual New York State African American Kick-off Celebration, which begins at 6 p.m. in the State Museum Auditorium. The award program will include musical and historical presentations, a reception, and a ribbon-cutting for the Smithsonian exhibit "Reflections in Black."

In addition to directing EOP, Carr oversees all UAlbany support services. Under his leadership, the University has instituted an extensive study group plan, the Faculty Mentoring Program, and a study skills manual for freshmen. Such initiatives have earned him numerous honors, including a New York State Assembly citation. Carr recently secured a four-year, $760,000 Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Program grant for UAlbany to support professional career interests of students of color considering graduate study.

A native of Philadelphia, Carr earned his Ed.D. in educational management from Syracuse University and his masters degree from Seton Hall University. Prior to accepting the EOP position at Albany, he administered similar programs at Cheyney State University in Pennsylvania, Cornell University and LeMoyne College. He also has experience as a high school principal, a teacher of high school and junior high school mathematics, and a college faculty member.

For more University at Albany information, visit our World Wide Web site at https://www.albany.edu.

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January 30, 2001

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