WS Chronicle

Dr. Yolanda Edwards, a professor at Winston-Salem State University (WSSU), recently received the Sylvia Walker Education Award from the National Association of Multicultural Rehabilitations Concerns (NAMRC), the division of the National Rehabilitation Association that promotes ethical and state-of-the-art practices in rehabilitation.

Edwards is the coordinator of the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling program in the Department of Educational Leadership, Counseling and Professional Studies in WSSU’s School of Education and Human Performance.  She was recognized for her innovative curriculum developments that have increased student certification as rehabilitation counselors from 43 percent to 75 percent.  The award was also based on her national activities that help provide access to educational opportunities in rehabilitation counseling for minority students.  Edwards had previously received the Joyce Keener Award in acknowledgement of her service to the association.

The Sylvia Walker Education Award supports the NAMRC’s commitment to equity and excellence in education.  It is named after Dr. Walker, an African American rehabilitation educator and administrator at Howard University who was legally blind.  Because she never let her blindness interfere with her commitment to advocacy on behalf of persons with disabilities or affect her dedication to educating rehabilitation professionals, both the National Rehabilitation Association and the NAMRC have awards named for Walker