March 13, 2023
SWOSU Press Release
Dr. Amy Barnett, a professor in the Department of Education and Director of Southwestern Oklahoma State University’s (SWOSU) psychometry program, is the winner of the 2023 Bernhardt Academic Excellence Award.
Barnett was presented the prestigious award at the annual Bernhardt Award banquet held on Tuesday, March 8 on the Weatherford campus. She received a $5,000 cash award, clock, pen, and medallion.
The Bernhardt Award was established by SWOSU alumni Theta Juan Bernhardt and the late Dr. William Bernhardt of Midwest City to recognize faculty who have exhibited exceptional achievement in teaching, scholarship and service.
Barnett, a SWOSU faculty member since 2005, graduated from Beaver High School and received her Bachelor of Social Work from SWOSU in 1997. She later added two more degrees from SWOSU: a Master of Science in Applied Psychology in 1999 and a Master of Education in Psychometry in 2003. She received her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from Oklahoma State University in 2010. Barnett is also a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), an LPC supervisor, and a Certified School Psychologist.
Barnett’s success in research has been both in publication and in funded grants. She co-authored a chapter and several test reviews in a leading assessment textbook. Barnett has received multiple externally funded grants totaling over $700,000, including the Indian Child Welfare Act Partnership Grant and the Oklahoma Court Reassessment Project.
Her service to the university and community is extensive. Barnett has served on many departmental and university committees. However, her greatest evidence of service is with her non-profit work. After working as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer and seeing the tremendous needs experienced by youth aging out of foster care, she founded a non-profit organization called STEP UP Transitional Living Program in 2018. STEP UP’s mission is to provide transitional housing and support services including education, counseling and employment for youth aged 18-24 experiencing homelessness. Since its inception, STEP UP has provided services for nearly 20 youth and was the recipient of the 2019 Ed Long Community Leadership Award.
Barnett is a member of the Oklahoma State Board of Behavioral Health Licensure since 2013 and is on the LPC Complaint Committee. This position is appointed by the governor and requires confirmation by the Oklahoma State Senate.
Barnett and her husband, Randy, live in Weatherford. Randy is the Associate Dean for the School of Behavioral Sciences and Education. They have two children: Ella, a freshman at SWOSU and Isaac, a sixth-grade student.
Previous winners of the Bernhardt Award (from the first winner to the most recent): Dr. Vilas Prabhu, Dr. Stuart Burchett, Dr. Gary Wolgamott, Dr. Terry Segress, Dr. James Hunsicker, Dr. Jill Jones, Dr. James Breckenridge, Dr. John Ludrick, Dr. W. Steven Pray, Dr. Les Crall, Dr. Peter Grant, Dr. John Hayden, Dr. Virgil Van Dusen, Steve Strickler, Dr. Mary Aspedon, Dr. John Woods, Dr. Scott Long, Dr. Charles Rogers, Dr. Tim Hubin, Dr. Brian Campbell, Dr. Patsy Parker, Dr. Tom Davis, Dr. Kevin Collins, Dr. Trisha Wald, Landry Brewer, Dr. Amanda Evert, Dr. Hardeep Singh Saluja, Dr. Howard Kurtz and Dr. Brooke Gildon.
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