Dr. Carla Fagan, the recently retired Social Work Department chair at Methodist University who is still an adjunct associate professor in the department, received the Fayetteville-Cumberland County Human Relations Department Educator Award for 2025.

The award is given annually to an educator who is involved in human relations activities during the school year, promotes better human relations and exemplifies a positive attitude toward improving human relations. 

Fagan’s human relations, civil rights and human rights journey began at age 10 when she spearheaded a schoolwide project to collect food for African Americans who were engaged in a boycott to integrate services. A member of the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Black Panther Party, she engaged in efforts to demand civil rights for all people. A career in social work reflected her lifelong commitment to an equal playing field for all people.

Fagan chaired a committee that created an Implicit Bias Workshop, available to faculty and staff at MU, and she worked to bring Mike Wiley’s “Jackie Robinson Story” to the Cumberland County community last year, as just two examples of her recent efforts.

Fagan has over 30 years of experience in the areas of juvenile justice, child welfare, AIDS services, nursing home services and nephrology social work.

Fagan received her award at a ceremony in late February at the Cape Fear Botanical Garden.

“I am so grateful for the support of the Methodist University community which turned out in numbers to cheer me on,” Fagan said in a press release. “And I’m truly honored the Human Relations Department selected me for the award.”