JMU Alumni Association

2024 Social Justice Award: Chrishana M. Lloyd '92

Chrishana M. Lloyd graduated from JMU in 1992 with a Bachelors of Science in Communications from the College of Arts and Letters. She later went on to get her Masters degree inof Social Work with a concentration in Family and Child Welfare from Howard University and her Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Studies from the University of Delaware.

As a member of the Theta Nu Chapter of Zeta Phi Beta here at JMU, Lloyd embodied the sorority’s principles of founding principles of scholarship, service, finer womanhood, and sisterly love. While at JMU, she pillar of service and participated in gravitated towards community service opportunities with her sorority and in classes, most geared towards social justice and social welfare. Furthermore, Lloyd was recruited to be the university’s Black Greek Liaison. In this role, she represented the traditionally Black Divine 9 organizations on campus to the larger Greek Council and the university. She attributes these experiences, as well as her first job after graduating JMU working for the government in Washington D.C. as a social service case worker as foundational experiences for the rest of her career.

Currently, Lloyd works remotely as is a Research Scholar at Child Trends in Bethesda, Maryland, a social policy think tank that,. a According to their website, Child Trends “promotes the well-being of all children and youth through applied research that informs public policy.”

In her role at Child Trends Lloyd has authored and co-authored many publications that are used to inform social and educational practice and policy discussions and implementation. She has even advised the White House. . Most recently, she has led the writing on a collection of papers entitled Mary Pauper: A Historical Exploration of Early Care and Education Compensation, Policy, and Solutions. Lloyd explains that this publication “maps the history of systemic racism in the United States and illustrates how racism, sexism, and class have influenced the perception of early childhood education including educator pay, benefits, preparation, and workforce stability.”

“Don’t be afraid to leave campus,” Lloyd’s advice to tells students is tos. “mMaximize all the opportunities you have here at the university..” Tthey are “wide ranging and will prepare you well for a world outside of campus.”

History of the Inez Graybeal Roop (’35) Alumni Service Award

Inez Graybeal Roop ('35) Alumni Service Award

The Inez Graybeal Roop Distinguished Alumni Service Award recognizes alumni who have performed notable service to the university and/or the alumni association. Created in 1971, the award is given on an annual basis to an individual on the basis of distinguished service, meritorious achievement and/or meaningful contributions in promoting the mission of either James Madison University and/or the JMU Alumni Association. This includes, but is not limited to, serving on official university boards and providing effective support of the university, its students, faculty, staff and alumni. All JMU alumni — with the exception of current university students, employees and trustees — are eligible.

The award is named in honor of Inez Graybeal Roop (’35), a former member of the JMU Board of Visitors and the JMU Alumni Association Board of Directors, who in 1977 made the formal motion to change the name of Madison College to James Madison University. A State Teachers College alum who graduated with degrees in English and History, Roop’s public service work included serving as chair of the Alumni Fund Drive, president of the Richmond Chapter of the JMU Alumni Association and an officer in the Bluestone Society. In 1994, the university named Roop Hall in her honor. Aside from participating in almost every university milestone — including representing the Class of 1935 at JMU’s centennial celebration in 2008 — Roop and her husband, Ralph (’05H), demonstrated their commitment to JMU through a lifetime of giving, providing funds for student scholarships and faculty advancement. At the time of her death in Nov. 2010, 142 Roop scholarships had been awarded to students.