Topeka, Kan. – The Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated will recognize Dr. Norma A. Juma, Brenneman professor of business strategy, Washburn University Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, with the 2025 Outstanding Achievement Award during their second annual Mother’s Day Brunch and Positive Image Awards on Saturday, May 10, at the Townsite Tower Ballroom. The brunch and awards will take place 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Juma has been a faculty member at Washburn University since 2005, teaching hundreds of students International Business and Strategic Management. She earned her bachelor’s degree in management from Mysore University in India, her master’s degree in management from Pondicherry University in India and her Ph.D. in Strategic Management and International Business from the University of Texas at Arlington. Juma is a prolific scholarly writer, authoring, co-authoring and reviewing academic articles focused on international business, business strategies and intellectual property. Her academic pursuits have taken her across the globe, with work most notably as a lecturer and a small business development consultant in Kenya.
“Dr. Juma is an outstanding faculty and Washburn community member,” said Dr. David Sollars, dean of the Brenneman School of Business. “She strives to bring out the best in her students every day in the classroom and contributes in many ways to our campus community. She sets high expectations for her students, who, in turn, excel in business simulation competitions and ethics assessments.”
Juma’s recognition at the May 10 Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated Mother’s Day Brunch, is a Positive Image Award and recognizes her academic and community contributions.
Monice Crawford, Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated president, states, “Dr. Norma A. Juma is a globally respected change maker who exemplifies the highest standard of academic excellence and community contribution.”
The keynote address for the event will be given by Linda P. Jeffrey, JD, a former Kansas Assistant Attorney General, who is known far and wide for her “pearls of wisdom.” Jeffrey is also a member of the Washburn University Board of Regents. For more information about the Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated second annual Mother’s Day Brunch and Positive Image Awards and to purchase tickets to attend, please visit www.topekalinksinc.org.
About the Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links
The Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, is part of The Links, Incorporated, an international not-for-profit corporation established in 1946 by a circle of nine friends in Philadelphia, PA. The Links, Incorporated is one of the nation’s oldest and largest volunteer service organizations of women who are committed to enriching, sustaining and ensuring the cultural and economic survival of African Americans and other persons of African descent. Their membership has grown to more than 16,000 professional women of color in 288 chapters located in 41 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, and the United Kingdom.
The Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated was organized in 1958. For the past 60 years, they have provided community programming and college scholarships to high school youth, awarding over $190,000 in funds to Shawnee County students. They have logged over 28,000 hours of community service in partnership with organizations and businesses such as the Topeka Public Schools, Washburn University, Stormont Vail Health Maternal and Infant Care, Federal Home Loan Bank, KC Friends of Alvin Ailey, Capitol Federal Bank, US Bank, The NAACP, the League of Women Voters, The Midwest Transplant Network and Couture for Cancer, just to name a few.
In 2018, the Association of Fundraising Professionals awarded the Topeka (KS) Chapter of the Links, Incorporated- Outstanding Volunteer Organization of the Year.
About Washburn University
Founded in 1865, Washburn University is a public institution with more than 8,000 students involved in more than 200 academic programs. Washburn’s programs lead to certification, associate, bachelor, master's degree or doctor of nursing practice and juris doctor degrees. The programs are offered through Washburn’s six primary academic units – College of Arts & Sciences, School of Applied Studies, Gregory D. and Ronda K. Brenneman School of Business, Harmon J. Hines School of Nursing, School of Law and Washburn Institute of Technology (Washburn Tech).
All programs are offered on either the 160-acre residential campus in the heart of Topeka, Kan., at Washburn Tech’s campus on Topeka’s west side or in the East Topeka facility. Washburn University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association and many of the individual programs have additional accreditations.
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For further information, contact:Joy Bailes
Director of Internal Communications and Brand Management
Telephone: (785) 670-2153
Cell: (785) 230-1648
Email: joy.bailes@washburn.edu
OR
Monique Pittman-Lui
Topeka (KS) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated
CoChair, 2nd Annual Mother’s Day Brunch & Positive Image Awards
Telephone: 785-608-8229
Email: monique@spiritproductionsllc.com
