Three Colorado State University faculty members share top honors for the Graduate Advising and Mentorship Award, sponsored and selected by the Graduate Student Council. Nominations are submitted by graduate students based on three criteria: educational guidance, career development and interpersonal relationship skills.
Winners, announced in April are Jennifer DeLuca, associate professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Emily Fischer, assistant professor in Atmospheric Science; and Tim Stasevich, assistant professor in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology. Honorable mention went to Ed Hall, assistant professor in Ecosystem Science and Sustainability, and Richard Finke, professor in Chemistry.
“Graduate students do not have many opportunities to formally acknowledge their advisors, so the idea to recognize their excellent guidance and support was drafted four years ago,” said Lindsay Lammers, president of the Graduate Student Council. “It is one of the most fun and rewarding events the Graduate Student Council does all year and we know that the professors enjoy it as well. They are rarely celebrated for their mentorship – what better way than directly from their students?”
‘Truly cares’
Here are what a few of the students said about their advisors in their nomination:
“Tim Stasevich gives all of us the freedom to explore questions that may or may not be related to our thesis projects. Because of this freedom, we all take great ownership in our projects and are motivated to keep asking new questions and to explore interesting biological findings.” –Amanda Koch, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
“Ed Hall seizes every opportunity to help me expand my own connections. He is quick to recommend reaching out to specialists at other universities and other graduate students within CSU with whom I share similar interests. This persistent and enthusiastic networking will be invaluable in my career development.” – Jemma Fadum, Ecosystem Science and Sustainability.
“Richard Finke truly cares. This type of commitment to the individual is admirable and truly makes me as a student more successful now and in future years to come!” – Chris Whitehead, Chemistry.
Nominees
The complete list of nominees included:
- Deborah Thompson, English
- Sudeep Pasricha, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Tori Crain, Psychology
- Amy O. Charkowski, Bioagricultural Sciences and Pest Management
- Kristen Rasmussen, Atmospheric Sceince
- Edwin Chong, Electrical and Computer Engineering
- Andrew Bliss, Anthropology
- Steven Fonte, Soil and Crop Sciences
- James E. Klett, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
- Katie Abrams, Journalism and Mass Communcation
- Sue VandeWoude, Microbiology, Immunology and Pathology
- Rebecca Gruby, Human Dimensions of Natural Resources
- Heather Leach, Health and Exercise Science
- Kurt Kraiger, Psychology
- Alessandro Bonanno, Agricultural and Resource Economics
- Karrin Vasby Anderson, Communications Studies
- Stephanie Kampf, Ecosysteme Science and Sustainability
- Kate Ross, Physics
- Mark Uchanski, Horticulture and Landscape Architecture
- Jeffrey D. Niemann, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Karen Gardenier, International Programs
- Leif Sorensen, English
- Kimberly Cox-York, Food Science and Human Nutrition
- Cynthia Scarpa, College of Business Academic Support
- Tiezheng Tong, Civil and Environmental Engineering
- Frank Dinenno, Health and Exercise Science
