Alumna receives national honor for civic leadership

Packnett, who majored in African and African-American studies in Arts & Sciences, was honored, along with co-recipient DeRay Mckesson, for her participation in a network of organizers and activists who worked collaboratively for change following unrest in Ferguson after the shooting death of Michael Brown in August 2014.

As executive director of Teach For America-St. Louis, Packnett worked closely with local parents and teachers to support a substitute school at the Ferguson library, where some 50 Teach For America alumni taught students whose schools were closed during the unrest.

Packnett is also a member of the Ferguson Commission appointed by the governor to make recommendations for improving the region.

Established in 2007, the award — named in honor of the late journalist and ABC News anchor — is presented annually to Teach For America alumni who embody the organization’s core values and whose work in the last year has contributed to systemic change on a broad scale. Award winners are selected by a committee that includes Jennings’ wife, Kayce Freed Jennings, and his children.