As part of the 20th Annual MLK Week at NYU, the University recognized exceptional faculty, staff, and administrators who embody the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dedication to inclusivity and justice.
This year, two of the honorees—Lauren Mims and Kyle Morris—are part of the NYU Steinhardt community.
Lauren Mims, MLK Faculty Award Winner
Lauren Christine Mims, assistant professor in applied psychology, received an MLK Faculty Award, which recognizes those who promote the principles and ethos of Dr. King’s extensive global contributions in their research, teaching, leadership, and/or community-building efforts.
A researcher focused on supporting the brilliance of Black children and their families through transformative research, policy, and practice, Mims has long been aware of the legacy of Dr. King—and perhaps even more so his wife, Coretta Scott King, who was an activist, author, and civil rights leader in her own right.
A young Lauren Mims presents her poster on Coretta Scott King to her Brownies troop.
“I remember loving Martin Luther King, Jr. as a child, but I was even more drawn to Coretta and her focus on children; it made me think about what it would look like to lead a life of service,” says Mims, who even did a poster presentation on Scott King for her Brownie Troop. “Being awarded for how their spirit is reflected in my own research and in the way I show up for my students means so much to me.”
Some of Mims’s and her lab’s current work includes leading focus groups with young Black people about how to create pathways to thriving; working with Black moms about how to support their young children and their emerging emotions; and interviewing Black girls about their body image and how they see themselves depicted in the media.
“Black Americans have always had to think about how to make a way out of no way, so this work has always been urgent—but it is particularly important now,” says Mims. “My lab meets regularly to discuss what the future looks like under this administration, and part of that is building community and thinking about how we can create communities of support for ourselves and each other.”
Kyle Morris, MLK Administrator and Staff Award Winner
Kyle Morris (MA ’19, Higher Education and Student Affairs; BA ’17, Education Studies), associate director of graduate advising and student services, received an MLK Administrator and Staff Award, which is presented to one administrator and one union staff who embody what it means to be inclusive and just with a proven history of respectfully serving their teammates at all levels.
A native New Yorker from Harlem and the South Bronx, Morris leads the graduate advising team, helping aspiring educators pursue teacher certification. He works largely with students from mainland China who come to Steinhardt to help them navigate this new culture, as well as making sure the Department of Teaching and Learning is a more inclusive place for everyone.
“I tell my students to bring their whole selves here and not to feel as though they have to assimilate,” says Morris. “I also work with students who travel from NYU Shanghai to the Washington Square campus for the Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, so I’m working to manage cross-cultural educational traditions and standards in both directions.”
Morris says one of the most important things to him about this award is that he was nominated by his peers.
“I was a student at Steinhardt for a long time and knew about this award, so it’s nice to know that your peers affirm you in this way,” says Morris. “The things that you do mean something to people, and I feel very seen by this recognition. A big part of my work is advocacy, and I think that when you have the privilege to be able to speak, you should. I intend to keep Martin Luther King, Jr.’s legacy alive by being authentic in how I show up and support people.”
Morris has also served as co-chair of the Administrators of Color Network, advocating for diversity and inclusion. He currently co-chairs Teaching and Learning's Anti-Racism and Intersectional Justice Committee.
Mims and Morris accepting their 2025 MLK Awards.
Related Articles
NYU Steinhardt’s Lauren Mims Awarded $1M for Black Youth Suicide Prevention Research
This research-practice partnership will collaborate with Richmond Public Schools in VA.
Two NYU Steinhardt Professors Receive MLK Faculty Award
The award recognizes outstanding faculty who exemplify the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s scholarship, life, and justice work.
NYU Steinhardt 2024 Recognition Event Honors Researcher, Staff, and Administrator Service and Excellence
The annual Steinhardt Recognition Event celebrated contributions, accomplishments, and career milestones.
