The Alice Eaves Barns Award Outstanding Achievement in Master’s Program

The Alice Eaves Barns Award is named in honor of a Graduate School staff member’s many years of outstanding service to the Graduate School. This award recognizes a student who has displayed tenacity in the face of adversity while attaining excellence in both the classroom and outside endeavors and is given in recognition of outstanding achievement in a master’s program.

Naomi Deeds is completing her Master of Science in Social Work at the University of Louisville Kent School of Social Work. As a first-generation student who came to college academically unprepared, Naomi worked tirelessly to catch up to her peers and to do well in her undergraduate studies; as a graduate student, she has faced severe financial hardship as well as serious health issues, but she managed to persevere, do well in her program and graduate high in her class. Guided by a passion for advocacy and resilience-building, she has served children, survivors of violence and vulnerable communities through practicum placements.

Naomi is dedicated to empowering individuals and strengthening communities through social work practice and advocacy. Her hobbies include rocks and fossils, caring for her pet Betta fish and playing Minecraft. Naomi plans to engage in clinical practice to become a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. She intends to pursue a PhD and hopes to become an author one day.