In 2017, Dr. Carol A. Mullen, PhD, was honored with the National Distinction Award from her home university, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg Campus, for national reputation/importance/impact. Specifically, the award is “in recognition of the importance and impact of her work” and “continuous significant scholarly contributions as a faculty member to Virginia Tech and the College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences.” Central administrative leaders also wrote that she was being honored for her “Outstanding performance over the years as a scholar, education, and university citizen and ongoing commitment to excellence and service based on her national reputation and impact. She serves as an excellent role model for rising assistant and associate professors.”