TAMUC’s Ballenger Awarded Prestigious Willystine Goodsell Award

Julia Ballenger, a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership at A&M-Commerce, is the recipient of the 2022 Willystine Goodsell Award, presented by the American Education Research Association's (AERA) Research on Women and Education special interest group. The highly coveted award recognizes educators who have served AERA on behalf of women, girls and education through scholarship, activism and community building.

The award is named for Willystine Goodsell, a nineteenth century activist, teacher and faculty member at Teachers College, Columbia University. Goodsell dedicated her life to advancing equal opportunities and education for women.

Ballenger is the third African American woman to successfully advance as finalist through the rigorous selection process.

Kriss Y. Kemp-Graham, associate professor in the department, nominated Ballenger for the award, describing her as extremely deserving of the prestigious recognition.

“Dr. Ballenger's life's work in education—at the school, district, state, national, international and university level—in advancing opportunities and equal education for women represents the familiar dedication, passion and commitment of Willystine Goodsell,” Kemp-Graham said.