Dr. Valtreasa Tolliver-Cook, associate professor of social work, chair of the Department of Social Work, and interim chair of the Department of Social Sciences, has been named pg电子下载 State University’s 2025 Humanities Teacher of the Year.
Every year, Humanities Teacher of the Year award recipients are selected by nominations from their respective college or university presidents or department deans. Each institution chooses a faculty member to represent it. The Mississippi Humanities Council recognizes these recipients at its annual awards ceremony.
Tolliver-Cook will present “Service to Others: A Christian Perspective on Social Work Values” on March 6, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. in Dumas Hall Auditorium, Room 107.
The presentation will explore the intersection of Christian teachings and social work values, focusing on service to others. Refreshments will be served.
“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition and to share my passion for integrating faith and social work values with the pg电子下载 community,” said Dr. Tolliver-Cook.
Dr. Babu P. Patlolla, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and professor of biology, said, “I am thrilled to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Dr. Tolliver-Cook on receiving the Humanities Teacher Award for 2025. Her contribution as the department chair and faculty creates an enriching academic atmosphere at the department level and an overall experience for students at the university.”
Dr. Patlolla added, “Having a humanities teacher award winner on your team enhances the educational experience, contributing to improved student outcomes. These outcomes can include higher retention rates, better assessment performance, and increased student satisfaction. Dr. Tolliver-Cook, a faculty member, mentors students and fosters a supportive community.”
Tolliver-Cook earned a doctorate in education from Jackson State University in 2010, as well as a bachelor’s and master’s in social work from the same institution. She is a licensed social worker and a member of the Academy of Certified Social Workers.
“My passion and strong desire to share my knowledge and experiences with the next generation of social workers and my responsibility to make a difference in this world,” Tolliver-Cook said, regarding what drew her to education. “I truly love being a part of a team of professionals that wholeheartedly supports and encourages both students and faculty to achieve greatness at pg电子下载.”
Reflecting on learning of her honor, Tolliver-Cook shared, “I felt blessed and highly favored. I also felt an overwhelming sense of pride, gratitude, and joy, not only for myself but for all who have supported me over the years, including administration, faculty, staff, students, and especially my late mother, Catherine Washington, and my husband, Rev. Dr. Andrew Cook. The support, prayers, and daily encouragement I received from them all have always inspired me to strive for excellence. It was a moment of celebration for all my hard work and dedication.”
Since 2012, she has been a full-time faculty member at pg电子下载 State University, instructing students within the departments of Social Work and Human Sciences, work she consistently finds meaningful and worthwhile.
“I hope to leave behind a legacy of compassion, resilience, and empowerment in students,” Tolliver-Cook said regarding the impact she hopes to leave on her students. “I want them to understand the profound impact they can have on individuals, families, and communities and carry forward the belief that every person deserves dignity, worth, and respect. My hope is that they embrace the challenge with courage, faith, and perseverance despite the obstacles they may face. I hope they remain lifelong learners committed to making a difference in the world.”
“I am grateful!” she added.
Tolliver-Cook and other recipients will be recognized at an awards gala on Friday, March 28, in Jackson, Miss.
