Betty Barr receives first-ever Provost Faculty Advising Award
With nearly 25 years of experience advising students, Betty Barr, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of Houston Cullen College of Engineering, has been recognized once again for her dedication to undergraduate advising.
Barr received the 2007 Provost Faculty Advising Award for Excellence, making her the first person to receive the honor. In the past, UH has recognized achievements in undergraduate advising through the George Magner Academic Advising Awards, which is awarded to either one faculty or staff advisor annually. Barr received the Magner Award in 1993.
“The award was a complete surprise,” she said. “In fact, I didn’t even know I was nominated. I am honored that my colleagues think so highly of me.”
An alumna of the university (B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Mathematics), Barr’s dedication to her advising role benefits many incoming electrical and computer engineering students—a fact demonstrated by the number of awards she has earned throughout her tenure.
In 2005, Barr received the Outstanding Educator Award (Region IV) from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the world’s largest professional association. She was also honored by the Engineering Alumni Association as the recipient of the Abraham Dukler Distinguished Engineering Faculty Award. In previous years, she has received the college’s Career Teaching Award and the Kittinger Teaching Excellence Award, twice.
Barr’s most recent award included a plaque recognizing her achievements and a stipend of $1,000.