Awards of Distinction

Dr. Rita Joyner serves as a practitioner-in-residence and industry liaison in the Department of Sustainable Technology and the Built Environment at App State and is director of the department's honors program. For more than 40 years, Joyner's career has been focused on the intersection of clean energy, green STEM education and community engagement.

"Whether attending club meetings, participating in student-organized panels or cheering on students as she walks across campus, Dr. Joyner ensures that students feel seen, heard and valued," wrote a nominator. "Her efforts have had a profound impact on student outcomes."

Prior to joining App State, Joyner served as senior advisor to the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association (NCSEA), section chief of North Carolina's State Energy Program, and section chief of the state's Weatherization Assistance Program, among other roles.

Joyner was a guest speaker at App State's 2023 Appalachian Energy Summit, and in fall 2023, she received NCSEA's Women in Clean Energy Award.

She holds a doctorate in education - culture, curriculum and change from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, as well as master's and bachelor's degrees in mechanical engineering from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She is a native of Kinston in Lenoir County.