Women’s History Month

Mrs. Norma Bullock

UDC Alum 

Mrs. Norma  Bullock is a 1983 magna cum laude graduate of the University of the District of Columbia (UDC), with a Bachelor of Public Administration degree.  For over 38 years, she has been connected with UDC through the Odessa Starks Davis Memorial Scholarship, founded in 1983 after graduation, and through membership on the School of Business and Public Administration’s Executive Advisory Board.  More than $62,800 of her own funds have been donated to this Scholarship, enabling more than 55 students to further their educations.  She has received numerous recognitions, including from President Mason, the Pathfinders Leadership Award (2019);  from President Sessoms, the 160^th Anniversary Medal (2011); from the Dean, College of Business and Public Administration, an Appreciation Award (2004); from the faculty, the SBPA Faculty Award and Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities (1983); from Dr. Nowell, a crystal device for supporting the UDC PATHS Program (2013).  The National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education (NAFEO) awarded her the Distinguished Alumni Citation of the Year Award for contributions to UDC (1996).  A strong advocate for giving back, she implores graduates to give back by “paying it forward.”

Mrs. Bullock graduated with high honors from American University in 1986 with a Master of Public Administration degree.  She was elected to Pi Alpha Alpha Honorary Society for Students of Public Affairs and Administration (1986).  She studied Public Administration at the doctoral level, University of Southern California, Washington Public Affairs Center (1994-1998).

Mrs. Bullock retired from the U. S. Coast Guard (USCG) in 2013 as a senior Human Resources Manager with nearly 48 total years of Federal service.  She has received numerous awards and recognitions including the Commandant’s Superior Achievement Award, the Commandant’s Distinguished Career Service Award, the Secretary of Transportation Silver Medal (1999) for developing, marketing, and implementing a new performance management system covering 6,000 civilian employees, also covered in the book New Corporate Cultures that Motivate.  For her role in mentoring Coast Guard’s African American military officers, the Commandant recognized Mrs. Bullock with the George R. Putman Inspirational Leadership Award as its first recipient.  Her mentorship led to the promotion of the first three Africa-American officers to Flag rank, Rear Admiral, in the Coast Guard’s 200-year history.

Her 30-year membership in Washington, DC Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority is a testament to her commitment to community service.  In 2003, she was received the President’s Award for exemplary service.   She is a consultant for the non-profit, Coalition for Public Safety Training in Schools.