Graduate Studies and Graduate Council are thrilled to honor four extraordinary faculty members with the Distinguished Graduate and Postdoctoral Mentorship Awards. These awards shine a light on the power of mentorship in shaping the academic and professional journeys of UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. 

Meet the 2024 Recipients

Each recipient will receive a $1,000 award and a letter of recognition. 

Honorable Mentions

Graduate Studies and Graduate Council would like to extend special recognition to the following faculty for their outstanding contributions to mentorship: 

• Miguel Jaller, Associate Professor, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, who has made mentoring a priority for his graduate program, beyond his own lab, bringing in new perspectives and impacting a large number of students.

• Zoila Mendoza, Professor, Department of Native American Studies, whose leadership as chair helped navigate graduate students through a time of upheaval and whose “empathetic and empowering mentorship” has impacted many students beyond her own.

• Faheemah Mustafaa, Assistant Professor, School of Education, who has been a transformative mentor, advocate and supporter for historically underrepresented and first generation graduate students through creation of a “Virtual Writing Cafe” and involvement in a number of mentoring programs.

Mentorship is a cornerstone of Graduate Studies’ strategic initiatives, that’s why we’re committed to celebrating and amplifying the work of faculty who go above and beyond. 

Mentoring Initiatives at UC Davis

Graduate Studies is dedicated to fostering a vibrant culture of mentorship that supports the success of graduate students and postdoctoral scholars. Our mentoring initiatives play a pivotal role in achieving this goal. Visit our mentoring website to learn more and get involved in shaping the future of graduate student mentoring at UC Davis.