Venitta McCall, professor in the College of Education at the University of Mary Washington, has been recognized with the J. Christopher Bill Outstanding Faculty Service Award for her contributions to the University as well as her involvement and leadership in the community.
A member of the UMW faculty since 1987, McCall has compiled an extensive record of service that highlights her dedication to building community ties and effecting social change through education.
During her tenure at UMW, McCall has been involved in every major grant received by UMW in the field of education, according to Laura Mentore, chair of the University Sabatticals, Fellowships, and Faculty Awards Committee McCall was on the steering committee of the Virginia Collaborative for the Excellence in the Preparation of Teachers Grant, bringing $5 million to institutions throughout the commonwealth and representing UMW in meetings with the National Science Foundation.
In addition to serving on a plethora of organizations and committees, McCall has mentored the Dorsey Scholars Program, part of a $1 million Centennial Campaign gift that offers scholarships to select students from diverse backgrounds. She also served as the director of the James Farmer Scholars Program for eight years, where she brought cohorts of African-American middle school students to campus to inspire them to pursue college.
Currently, McCall serves on both the 2015-16 Presidential Search Advisory Committee and the University Faculty Appeals and Grievance Committee.
McCall earned a doctorate of education from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, a master’s degree from the University of North Florida and a bachelor’s degree from Niagara University.
An endowment that funds the service award was established through the generosity of the former students, colleagues, friends and family of the late Christopher Bill, professor of psychology. The award recognizes Bill’s extraordinary service as a member of the UMW teaching faculty from 1972 to 2001. Bill died in December 2001.
The selection criteria for the award stipulates that the recipient must have served a minimum of seven years as a member of the Mary Washington teaching faculty and must have been heavily and consistently involved in a variety of service capacities, including departmental, university-wide and community service. Nominations may be submitted by any member of the teaching faculty, staff or student body of the university.
The award was presented by Laura Mentore, professor of anthropology, on behalf of UMW’s University Sabatticals, Fellowships, and Faculty Awards Committee.
