Two employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Mississippi Valley Division have been recognized by the Career Communications Group’s Women of Color Awards Committee.

Sarah Palmer, Continuing Authorities program manager for the MVD, received the 2011 Rising Star of Technology Award. Dr. Ann Bargains, chief of the MVD’s Equal Employment Opportunity Office, received the 2011 Diversity Leadership Award. The honors, given during the group’s annual conference, recognize outstanding women in the science, technology, engineering and math fields.

Palmer’s work has helped the MVD execute more than $1 billion in program funding. She has a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering and a master’s in engineering management from Mississippi State University.

Bargains’ work has helped double the number of minority engineers and scientists for the Corps’ largest division and has reduced EEO complaints within the division by 33 percent annually. She has a bachelor’s degree in sociology, a master’s degree in public policy and administration, and a doctorate in public policy and administration from Jackson State University.