Congratulations to the recipients of the 2024 Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards!

In recognition of the critically important role that mentors play in supporting undergraduate and graduate student research and creative activity, the Office of Student Research offers two annual Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards for outstanding mentorship. The Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in mentoring and supporting student researchers. Strong nominations demonstrate excellence in mentoring by supporting and influencing students’ educational and career paths. Examples may include peer-reviewed publications involving Longwood students; student presentations or awards; and evidence of continued success of mentored students.

This year, the OSR awarded two Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards: one award is for assistant professors, lecturers, clinical educators, or librarians who have 6 or fewer years of service at Longwood and one award is for associate or full professors, senior lecturers, senior clinical educators, or librarians who have more than 6 years of service at Longwood. The Advisory Board for the Office of Student Research selected the award recipients.

• This year, the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award for assistant professors, lecturers, clinical educators, or librarians who have 6 or fewer years of service at Longwood was awarded to Dr. Jonathan White, Department of Chemistry and Physics.

In the nomination form, Dr. White's student said:

“ Throughout the research process Dr. White’s passion for biochemistry has been extremely evident, and it has played a huge role in furthering my admiration for the field. I have really developed a positive one-on-one relationship with Dr. White, which has made my Longwood chemistry experience phenomenal. My positive experiences with Dr. White are not only related to biochemistry and Dr. White has always been supportive and kind. Before I started doing independent research, I was set in stone on only pursuing a master’s degree. Now after working in the lab one on one Dr. White, I am interested in pursuing a degree at the doctorate level. Before I started working with Dr. White, I never thought I could earn a doctoral degree. Dr. White has been the one to push me and encourage me to go to graduate school and earn a doctorate. By working independently in the lab with Dr. White I am confident and motivated in myself to go to graduate school. With all my positive laboratory experience, I have been able to encourage and mentor younger students on their research aspirations.”

• This year, the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award for associate or full professors, senior lecturers, senior clinical educators, or librarians who have more than 6 years of service at Longwood goes to Dr. JoEllen Pederson, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice.

In the nomination form, Dr. Pederson's student said:    

“After working with Dr. Pederson, I am now able to recognize what kinds of professional careers my research and critical thinking skills would be valued in. I plan to continue to conduct sociological research for the rest of my life in any capacity that I can (research assistant, someone who specializes in qualitative interviewing, as a co-writer of academic articles, etc.) Dr. Pederson also completely changed my mind about grad school… I was pretty much dead-set against it when I began my time at Longwood, but through working and talking with Dr. Pederson over the course of this project, she has given me the information I needed to better understand the purpose of grad school and what grad school can help me accomplish. She has also radically increased my self-confidence in my academic abilities, and she regularly inspires me to reach higher than I ever would have thought possible. I know that with her support I can continue to take advantage of remarkable academic opportunities during my undergraduate career, and that Dr. Pederson will be able to guide me towards attending a quality grad school program that meets my interests and needs.”

Congratulations to Dr. White and Dr. Pederson!

The Office of Student Research would also like to recognize the following 8 faculty who were nominated by their students for the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award this year:

Dr. Sean Barry, Department of English and Modern Languages

Dr. Lee Bidwell, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

Dr. Adam Franssen, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Brandon Jackson, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Melanie Marks, Department of Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Information Systems

Dr. Jennifer Miskec, Department of English and Modern Languages

Dr. Scott Grether, Department of Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice

Dr. Amanda Starr, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Congratulations to these inspiring mentors!

If you would like to learn more about getting involved in research at Longwood University, please visit Longwood’s Office of Student Research website http://www.longwood.edu/office-of-student-research/

or contact Amorette Barber, Director of the Office of Student Research (osr@longwood.edu or barberar@longwood.edu).