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DATE: August 23, 2017

FROM: Debbie G. Thomas, Ph.D., Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs

TO: Kentucky State University Board of Regents

RE: Crystal deGregory, Ph.D. Director, Kentucky State University Atwood Institute Endorsement of Petition for Tenure and Promotion

Distinguished Kentucky State University Regents:

It is indeed an honor for me to submit for your consideration the exceptional credentials of Dr. Crystal deGregory, newly appointed Director of the Kentucky State University Atwood Institute, as I request your approval of her candidacy for tenure as an Associate Professor of History in the Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences. Dr. deGregory exemplifies excellence in the higher education tripartite areas of research, teaching and service. This is uniquely evidenced in the pages of her very impressive curriculum via which chronicles her prolific works published in peer-reviewed scholarly journals. It is also demonstrated through her efforts as the founder and editor-in-chief of the HBCU Journal of Research and Culture, a seminal work which she aptly described as an interdisciplinary, peer-reviewed journal offering a wide-range of scholarly articles highlighting historically black colleges and universities throughout the nation.

Dr. deGregory is a very proud HBCU graduate having earned her Bachelor of Arts in History, magna cum laude, from the historic Fisk University. She also holds both a Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy in History from Vanderbilt University where she conducted advanced studies pertaining to black colleges and universities. Additionally, she is nationally-recognized for her ground-breaking entrepreneurial venture in creating the preeminent HBCU story, which she succinctly characterizes as an advocacy initiative preserving, presenting, and promoting inspiring stories of HBCUs past and present, for their future.

A highly sought—after national speaker, deGregory has lectured on a wide range of topics including history, culture, and education especially, HBCUs. She is also a regular contributor to national publications including though not limited to, the HBCU Digest, The New York Times, USA Today and The Tennessee. I submit to you a candidate well-deserving of the privilege of tenure at our very own Kentucky State University, for she truly embodies the creed we hold dear, “In All Things Excellence!” I unequivocally endorse her candidacy and humbly request your approval.