Tucker Receives SunTrust Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Award

Cecelia Tucker, left, is pictured here with Charity Volman, president of SunTrust Bank South Hampton Roads.

Cecelia Tucker, Old Dominion's assistant to the president for community relations, was one of the recipients of the 2013 SunTrust Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Awards presented the evening of Dec. 10 during a program at Norfolk's Selden Arcade.

The award was created to recognize and congratulate individuals and organizations in the Hampton Roads community that are committed to the ideals of diversity and inclusion, and are creating a better place to live and work. Tucker was selected for the award due to her work with the African American community on and off campus.

Other honorees included Joan Brock for her work toward increasing college access through the Access College Foundation and her support of various institutions of higher education across the state.

In her role at ODU, Tucker has devoted herself to improving relationships among the races. She has worked in her current position since 1991. She undertakes a wide variety of community relations activities for the university, especially for and with the minority and African American communities of Hampton Roads. These activities include liaison with community groups; alumni relations; government relations; student, faculty and staff recruitment; working to improve the campus climate and civility; public speaking; and representing the president and specific projects, as assigned.

Currently, Tucker serves as a board member of the William A. Hunton YMCA, Rotary Club of Hampton Roads, Norfolk Education Foundation, American Red Cross of Southeastern Virginia, Minority Advisory Council of United Way and the L.D. Britt Scholarship Committee. Further, she is a member of the Board of Trustees Ministry at the historic Bank Street Memorial Baptist Church in Norfolk.

Earlier this year, Tucker received the Hampton Roads Legend Award. Presented Feb. 1 at the 11th annual program Legacies: A Celebration of Black History Month, the award is sponsored by Tidewater Community College, in partnership with the Urban League of Hampton Roads Young Professionals.