Carol Jordan Receives Community Service Award

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Dec. 8, 2009) − Carol E. Jordan, director of the University of Kentucky Center for Research on Violence Against Women, recently received the 2009 Jack Runyon Community Service Award for her community, state and legislative efforts in the area of domestic violence. The award was given by the Kentucky Psychological Association at the 2009 annual convention held in Lexington.

“This award is given to an outstanding psychologist who represents the essence of giving back to the community," said Cay Shawler, KPA past president and awards chair. "The KPA felt that Ms. Jordan has contributed to the welfare of the citizens of this state through the tremendous impact she has had on improving services and support for victims of domestic violence. Her passion for helping the victims as well as educating professionals and the public are without comparison. She represents the best of the profession. KPA wishes to acknowledge and express appreciation for all she has accomplished."

Upon receiving the award, Jordan said, “I am genuinely humbled by this recognition from the Kentucky Psychological Association. Their award may be intended to honor a single advocate, policy maker and researcher, but I see it as honoring the importance of the work so many professionals do every day to improve the lives of women and children suffering from violence. The award is gratefully accepted on their behalf.”

Jordan's extensive body of work in addressing violence against women began immediately following graduate school as she headed a counseling program for battered women and children. She was then recruited to the state level where she developed treatment programs statewide in the area of domestic violence and child maltreatment through Kentucky’s community mental health centers. Jordan also secured the first state funding for Rape Crisis Centers in the state and expanded their number from four to the current number of 13. She was then recruited to create a special office in the Governor’s Office and served for eight years on Gov. Paul E. Patton’s staff leading the state’s effort to address violence against women and child maltreatment. During her career, Jordan successfully proposed over 30 pieces of legislation resulting in changes in civil and criminal law related to mental health law, criminal offenders and victims of crime. In 2002 while still in the governor’s office, Jordan conceptualized and became the first director of the UK Center for Research on Violence Against Women. UK recruited Jordan to stay in the director position when the Patton administration ended in 2003. Since coming to UK, Jordan has built a $5.5 million research endowment for the Center and established three endowed chairs. She is widely published in the field with two books, four book chapters and 30 articles in peer reviewed journals. In recent years she has received three national awards and in 2005 received the Sarah Bennett Holmes Award from UK.