Join us in celebrating the outstanding achievements of our Baton Rouge Community College
faculty and staff members. Three BRCC employees were recognized and received awards
at the 2023 Louisiana Community and Technical College System Annual Conference. We
couldn't be prouder of these exceptional individuals who embody the college's spirit
of excellence and dedication.
Let's give a round of applause to our 2023 award recipients:
Dr. Sarah Barlow, Outstanding Professional Staff Member
Bea Gyimah, Outstanding Faculty Member
Annette Chatman, Outstanding Support Staff Member
Their contributions have truly made a difference. Read more about their outstanding
achievements and their backgrounds below.
For over 13 years, Dr. Sarah Barlow has served Baton Rouge Community College in roles
in both Academic and Student Affairs, most recently serving as Provost and Vice Chancellor
for Workforce and Student Development.After earning her BA and MA in English from the University of Toledo in Toledo OH,
Dr. Barlow moved to Louisiana to continue her education at the University of Louisiana
at Lafayette and earned her Ph.D. in English in 2010. She began teaching full-time
at Baton Rouge Community College that fall. As a faculty member, Dr. Barlow became
the chair of the Faculty Senate Assessment Committee, a Faculty Senator, a General
Education Committee Member, and a Faculty Mentor.
In 2014, Dr. Barlow became the Chair of the English and Humanities Department where
she served 40 full-time and adjunct faculty in multiple disciplines. In addition to
creating the schedule of courses, observing and evaluating faculty, participating
in program review and course assessment planning, assisting with curriculum development
and articulation, addressing student concerns, and resolving conflict, she developed
and co-chaired a New Student Orientation Model, multiple open house and advising events,
and collaborated with enrollment services, advising and financial aid to enhance communication
between units.
Dr. Barlow joined the Student Services team at BRCC in 2018 as the Executive Director
of Enrollment Management and Student Services and continued this work as the Assistant
Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs in 2019 with responsibility for leading and coordinating
the operations of the Student Affairs units including Enrollment Services, Admissions,
the office of the Registrar, Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs, Advising, Counseling
and Disability Services, Recruitment and Outreach, the Dean of Students Office, the
Office of Student Life, the Career Center, and the TRiO/Upward Bound grants.
In 2020, Dr. Barlow became the Vice Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs and
worked to unite the unite the goals of the units and align them with the mission of
the college. During this time Dr. Barlow increased course efficiency rates by 10%,
expanded online program offerings, led the college to the exceed pre-2020 enrollment,
and partnered with local school districts to increase Dual Enrollment by 255%.
In 2022, Dr. Barlow became Provost and Vice Chancellor for Workforce and Student Development.
In this role she has focused on increasing short-term training credentials in regionally
high-demand fields, the strategic direction and leadership to academic departments
and programs, and the development and delivery of high-quality educational experiences
that meet the needs of a diverse student body. She spearheads efforts to align academic
programs with industry demands, working closely with employers, community partners,
and government agencies and has expanded academic advising to provide more personalized
attention, counseling, tutoring, and co-curricular activities that promote personal
growth, leadership development, and a sense of belonging within the campus community.
Dr. Barlow lives in Lafayette, LA with her husband and son and, even after 13 years,
still finds the long commute across the Atchafalaya every day beautiful.
Professor Bea Gyimah is the proud daughter of Dr. Joseph Gyimah and the late Missionary
Lydia Gyimah. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Ms. Gyimah earned her bachelor's
degree from Louisiana State University in 2004 and her master's degree from Texas
A&M University in 2008.As Professor of English and Humanities at Baton Rouge Community College, she motivates
her students to recognize their roles as “the future leaders of tomorrow” who maximize
their potential not only in the classroom, but also within their communities, workplaces,
and families as positive difference makers, responsible role models, and mindful change
agents. In 2022, Ms. Gyimah decided to diversify her teaching strategies and classroom
instruction within her English Composition courses by providing her dual-enrolled,
full-time, and online students with leadership development training, volunteerism
connected with civic engagement, and mentorship by local community leaders.
Also, at BRCC, she founded the I, Too Am America Club (ITAAC) which is a multi-cultural
awareness student organization that observes nationally recognized cultural heritage
celebrations.
Moreover, Ms. Gyimah established The Our America Writers' Project, which produced
and published two issues of a Race and Ethnic Studies journal entitled America, The
Beautiful in Spite of It All: Student Reflections on Exploring Their Cultural Identities
in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave. The publication featured emotionally
charged prose and poetry written by Ms. Gyimah's Literature and Ethnicity Students,
English Composition, and I, Too, Am America club members, who used their writing to
explore, analyze, and celebrate the American experience. Moreover, this student-based
publication has been archived within the Library of Congress, Louisiana State Library,
East Baton Rouge Parish Library system and the BRCC Magnolia Library. Nationally and
locally, this journal has been recognized and featured in Diverse Issues in Education
(online version of the magazine), 225 magazine’s “I am 225” column, and on WAFB News
with a feature story by the late Mrs. Donna Britt. Additionally, the contributing
essayists and poets have presented their work at the Community College Humanities
Association Conference, the National Association of African American Studies Conference,
The Louisiana Book Festival, and The National Institute for Staff and Organizational
Development Conference, etc.
Throughout her career in education, Ms. Gyimah has been recognized for her diligent
efforts to further youth leadership development, civic engagement, and multi-cultural
awareness in Louisiana. This past summer, Ms. Gyimah received the Dr. Dolly McPherson
English Teaching award at the 2023 4th Annual Bayou Soul Youth Literary conference.
Also, last June, she was honored to attend the LCTCS Master Teachers Seminar and Retreat.
In 2022, Ms. Gyimah was named the Greater Capitol Area Champion for Volunteer Louisiana’s
Champions of Service award. In 2020 & 2010, she received the NISOD Teaching Excellence
Award. Also, she received the Louisiana Role Model Award by the Links Incorporated
in 2019, the Jane French Manship Endowed Professorship in 2017, and the WAFB News
and Capital Area United Way’s Power of Nine Award in 2016.
Ms. Annette Chatman is a dedicated Custodian II employee at Baton Rouge Community
College, where she has been serving since 2016. With a strong work ethic and unwavering
commitment, she consistently showcases her skills and strives for excellence in her
daily responsibilities.Born and raised in St. Gabriel, Louisiana, Ms. Chatman is deeply connected to her
community. Ms. Chatman embraces her role as a loving and caring mother. Her adult
son, Quentin Chatman, is a testament to her dedication and support. Furthermore, she
takes care of her 81-year-old mother, demonstrating her nurturing nature and commitment
to family.
Ms. Chatman's faith also plays a significant role in her life. She is an active and
proud member of the New Jerusalem Baptist Church in St. Gabriel, where she finds spiritual
guidance and community involvement.
With her steadfast dedication, caring nature, and active involvement in her community
and church, Ms. Annette Chatman continues to make a positive impact on those around
her. Her unwavering commitment to her work and loved ones is a true testament to her
character and values.