Sara Burke, associate professor of psychology, received the 2024 James K. Duah-Agyeman Award for Outstanding Faculty – presented by the Center for Academic Achievement and Student Development (CAASD) in Syracuse University’s School of Education. She was awarded in recognition of her mentorship of undergraduate researchers who are part of the McNair Scholars Program.

Each year, the McNair Scholars Program prepares 29 high-achieving undergraduate students at Syracuse for graduate studies through hands-on research, academic services and scholarly activities. Burke was nominated for the award by two McNair Scholars, whom she mentored during the 2023-24 academic year. She accepted the prize at the CAASD Baccalaureate ceremony in May.

A faculty member in the College of Sciences since 2017, Burke’s research focuses on intergroup bias, including stereotypes, prejudice, discrimination and experiences of stigma. She currently leads the Intergroup Bias Lab at Syracuse University, where she and fellow researchers conduct experiments to test ideas about stereotypes, prejudice and discrimination. She received a Ph.D. in social psychology from Yale University in 2016 and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2011, where she majored in psychology and English language and literature and minored in statistics.

The award is named after James K. Duah-Agyeman, who has worked at the University for more than 35 years and is currently director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs. It recognizes faculty who demonstrate Duah-Agyeman’s commitment to the student experience at Syracuse through exemplary mentorship, leadership development, civic engagement and academic excellence.