Amadou Sall, lecturer and vice chair of the Department of Africana Studies, received the 2023 MLK 
Education Award from the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Commission. He was recognized at the annual MLK Luncheon Celebration in January 2023.
“Dr. Sall’s passion providing travel abroad opportunities for our students is evident in his work to build UT study abroad experiences in Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa,” said Shayla Nunnally, professor and head of the Department of Africana Studies. “His leadership advances our students’ learning and helps UT build an even stronger reputation in providing opportunities to our students.”
In 2007, Sall and colleagues published “Experiences of Struggling African American Students at a Predominantly White University” in Research in Schools. The purpose of this phenomenological study was to obtain first-personal accounts of the experience of struggling Black undergraduates in a southern flagship state university. Study findings suggest that faculty should devote greater attention to improving the classroom climate for minority students.
Sall received the Excellence in Teaching Award at UT in 2001. He is a member of the Knox County Disproportionate Minority Contact and Confinement Task Force. The role of the task force is to develop solutions based on research. In 2008, in recognition of his commitment to the development of students, faculty, staff, and the Knoxville community, he received the Outstanding and Dedicated Service Award from the Black Graduate and Professional Student Association.
“We applaud you for your 20-year service anniversary here at the University of Tennessee,” Nunnally said. “Your humanitarian spirit and service throughout the Knoxville community serves globally and beyond.”
Congratulations to Amadou Sall on this prestigious award!