From: Gracy Dean
Central Alabama Community College
Central Alabama Community College (CACC) is proud to announce that Chemistry Instructor Dr. Jeremy M. Carr has been named a recipient of the 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award from the Auburn University College of Education.
“I was completely surprised at the announcement,” Carr said. “I’ve spent the past decade trying to bring unique learning opportunities to CACC students and this award recognizes those efforts. I’m truly grateful for the honor.”
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes graduates who exemplify excellence, leadership, service, and significant professional impact. A 2013 graduate of Auburn’s Higher Education Administration program, Dr. Carr was selected for his contributions to community college education, statewide transfer pathways, and student mentorship.
Over his career in higher education, Dr. Carr has guided numerous students into medical, veterinary, pharmacy school programs, the latter of which have enrolled many of whom enrolled at the Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. His mentorship includes helping students prepare personal statements, applications, and interviews, often working with first-generation college students and students from rural backgrounds.
Since 2025, Dr. Carr has CACC’s participation in Mission 20 of the Student Spaceflight Experiments Program. To this end, he developed and taught a course in scientific proposal writing and guided student teams as they designed experiments for the International Space Station. This initiative earned him CACC’s Teaching Excellence Award for Innovative Teaching Practices and the Award for Contributions to Student Success and Engagement in 2025.
Among his many contributions to higher education, Dr. Carr played a key role in establishing Alabama’s first 2+2 articulation agreement between a community college and Auburn University’s College of Agriculture including creating a streamlined transfer pathway for rural students to enter Auburn agriculture majors. The model has since been replicated by community colleges across Alabama, helping expand transfer opportunities for students statewide.
CACC President Jeff Lynn praised Dr. Carr’s achievement, stating, “Jeremy Carr represents the best of Auburn University and Central Alabama Community College. His work reflects the land-grant mission by expanding opportunity and raising expectations for students who need a champion.”
Auburn University’s College of Education formally recognized Dr. Carr and other 2026 award recipients during its annual Awards Celebration April 10, 2026.
Dr. Carr has served as a chemistry instructor at Central Alabama Community College since 2014. He holds a B.A. in Chemistry from Assumption University (Worcester, MA), a Ph.D. in Chemistry from The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL), and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Auburn University (Auburn, AL). His work focuses on student transfer pathways, undergraduate research, and improving opportunities for rural community college students.
