2025 AWARDS – NCBAA LDI 20TH ANNIVERSARY

NCBAA LEGACY AWARD

Dr. G. Duncan Harris

Dr. G. Duncan Harris serves as the CEO of the Capital Campus of Connecticut State Community College (formerly Capital Community College) in Hartford, CT, where he is responsible for the strategic direction and daily operations of the campus. He has served in the role since 2018 and will be retiring this summer after 30 years of service to the CT public higher education system. He is an active member of both Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc and Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. He resides in Windsor, CT with his lovely wife of 24 years, Garcia, and is the proud father of three children, Jocelyn, a teacher in Washington, DC, Grant, a sophomore at Hampton University, and Grayson, a senior in high school.

“As a 2007 Dr. Carolyn Grubbs Williams Leadership Development Institute alum and long-time board member and supporter of NCBAA, I am truly honored to receive this award. NCBAA has been an integral part of my career and I know that the wise counsel, affirmations and kudos, and inspiration from my NCBAA mentors and coaches has made all the difference in my professional career over the decades. As I retire, this award truly caps my tenure of service to NCBAA, our members, and students. I a grateful.”

The Dr. Marian C. Shivers Mentor Award

Cecelia A. Knox

Cecelia A. Knox is solution-focused strategist with more than 25 years of experience in workforce development, career coaching, and group facilitation. A recently retired college administrator, she consults with leaders of organizations in the development of workplace competencies, with an emphasis on leadership, equity, and team building. Ms. Knox is a John Maxwell certified coach, speaker, trainer. She holds a master's degree and is currently completing doctoral research focusing on the best practices for adult learners. One of her greatest joys is continuing a legacy of excellence as the dean for the NBCAA Dr. Carolyn Grubbs Williams Leadership Development Institute (LDI).

LEADERSHIP AWARD

The Leadership Award is selected by the board from nominations received throughout the year. This award recognizes the contributions of an active member of the organization who’s efforts support the national organization or one of the regions. The individual embodies the NCBAA spirit and inspires new members to become affiliated with NCBAA and ongoing members to remain steadfast to their commitment to our organization.

Dr. Chris Hubbard-Jackson

Dr. Chris Hubbard-Jackson is a dynamic solution-oriented higher education leader with an unwavering commitment to student success and continuous improvement. With nearly 20 years of experience in assessment, strategic planning, institutional effectiveness, and instruction, Dr. Hubbard-Jackson has consistently championed the advancement of underserved students and inspired others to lead with purpose. She has a remarkable ability to ignite progress and turn ambitious ideas into tangible results. Dr. Hubbard-Jackson’s educational background includes a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, a M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education, and a M.A. in Industrial­Organizational Psychology. Dr. Hubbard-Jackson is a proud NCBAA member, with a passion for empowering college students, faculty, and staff to be catalysts for positive change.

PRESIDENT’s AWARD

The NCBAA President’s Award recipient is selected by the current president of the NCBAA. This award acknowledges the efforts of an individual that demonstrates consistent support of the NCBAA mission, vision, and operation activity. The President’s Award Recipient will be featured in our 2015 Awards Breakfast Booklet.

Dr. Tracy Hall

Dr. Tracy D. Hall has served as the president of Southwest Tennessee Community College since July 13, 2015, becoming the first woman to hold this position in the institution’s history. Under her leadership, Southwest has earned national acclaim, including the 2019 American Association of Community Colleges Award of Excellence for Safety Planning and the prestigious 2021 Bellwether Award for Planning, Governance, and Finance. Additionally, the College achieved the designation of Achieving the Dream Leader College in 2019, reflecting its commitment to student success and equity.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Dr. Hall holds a doctoral degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from the University of Missouri-Columbia, a master’s degree in Communications from
Wichita State University, and a bachelor's degree in Speech and Mass Communications from the University of Missouri-St. Louis. Dr. Hall and her husband, Anthony, are the proud parents of three adult children.

Dissertation of the Year

The NCBAA-Northeast Region 2026 Dissertation of the Year award will recognize an individual whose exemplary doctoral dissertation aligns with the mission of NCBAA, contributes to the literature on community colleges, and/or makes a substantial contribution to policy, procedures, and practice that has an impact on African American students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Exemplary research revises understanding of a researchable problem associated with African Americans in the community college, identifies a research problem new to the field, and/or demonstrates sound interdisciplinary research.

Dr. Brian Singleton, Morgan State University

Research: The Relationship Between Location (Urban, Suburban, and Rural Community Colleges) and Student Engagement