Public service is a theme in Deseria Creighton-Barney’s life, so it’s no surprise that Virginia Tech has chosen to recognize her as co-recipient of the Ut Prosim Award during the Influential Black Alumni Awards ceremony on April 13.

This year’s ceremony is held on the first day of Virginia Tech’s Black Alumni Reunion, which takes place every two years.

Creighton-Barney, president-elect of the Virginia Tech Alumni Association Board of Directors, is the first vice president for the Henrico County Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., a public service organization.

“Those are the two things to which I give my time,” said Creighton-Barney, who graduated from Virginia Tech in 1986 with a bachelor’s degree in communication.

Creighton-Barney’s sorority takes a voice in social action, from helping with voter registration to speaking with lawmakers in the Virginia General Assembly about issues important to the community. Serving the local community and mentoring youth are some of the sorority’s initiatives.

Creighton-Barney, who lives in Chesterfield, Virginia, has been an active member of the sorority for 20 years. She also serves on the alumni advisory board for Virginia Tech’s College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.

She is a talent acquisition partner with Virginia Premier, a nonprofit managed health-care provider in Richmond.

The Influential Black Alumni Awards ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. in Squires Student Center’s Colonial Hall. Creighton-Barney will be one of seven alumni recognized.

Written by Jenny Kincaid Boone