Ellington

Living three states away from Jackson didn't stop Kendra Preer from getting a doctoral degree from a Jackson university. Preer commuted from Ohio to Jackson State University once a month to earn an executive Ph.D. in urban higher education.

The Board of Directors for the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education recently recognized Preer's work with its Outstanding Dissertation Award. While at JSU, Preer researched interracial diversity at historically black colleges to contribute to understanding how African American students experience diversity within their own ethnicity. As part of her research, Preer studied gender, sexuality and class among African American students, a statement from JSU said.

"It really inspires me to do more research and work with other professionals in higher education and diversity," Preer said in the statement.

Preer completed the two-year doctoral program in August. She directs the Upward Bound Math-Science Academy at Stark State College in Canton, Ohio. She will receive her award at the NADOHE conference in Los Angeles this week.