On July 1,  Graduate Studies announced 34 recipients of the Graduate Program Advising and Mentoring Awards.

Faculty were nominated by their graduate programs for outstanding excellence in advising and mentoring of graduate students. Graduate programs highlighted faculty for their service to the program, commitment to advising and mentoring, and positive impact on graduate students and colleagues.  

This year's nominees include:

• Cassandra Tucker, Animal Science
• Teresa Steele, Anthropology
• Shiva Ahmadi, Art
• Celina Juliano, Biochemistry, Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology
• Gerald Quon, Biostatistics
• Marcela Cuellar, CANDEL
• Ambarish Kulkarni, Chemical Engineering
• Marie Heffern, Chemistry
• Chris Cappa, Civil and Environmental Engineering
• Dirk Van Vuren, Ecology
• Giovanni Peri, Economics
• Josh Hihath, Electrical and Computer Engineering
• Margaret Ronda, English
• Michael Springborn, Environmental Policy and Management
• Edward Spang, Food Science
• Michael Oskin, Geology
• Elisabeth Krimmer, German
• Corrie Decker, History
• Brad Hanson, Horticulture and Agronomy
• Graham Fogg, Hydrologic Sciences
• Paul Ashwood, Immunology
• Jeffrey Stott, Integrative Pathobiology
• Stephen Robinson, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
• Rebecca Parales, Microbiology
• Chao-Yin Chen, Molecular Cellular and Integrative Physiology
• Jessica Bissett Perea, Native American Studies
• Patricia Oteiza, Nutritional Biology
• Pamela Lein, Pharmacology and Toxicology
• Richard Scaletter, Physics
• Diane Beckles, Plant Biology
• Gitta Coaker, Plant Pathology
• Kate Scow, Soils and Biogeochemistry
• Claudia Sánchez-Gutiérrez, Spanish
• Hans-Georg Müller, Statistics

The Graduate Program Advising and Mentoring Awards provided graduate programs with a way to recognize faculty doing outstanding service in advising and mentoring at the program level. This was an optional recognition program and graduate programs participated at will. Awardees received a letter of recognition from the Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies that can be included in merit and promotion files or to document their service for multiple different grant applications or organizations.

This award is part of the new initiatives Graduate Studies has developed to showcase and promote positive advising and mentoring experiences. Advising and mentoring efforts enhance graduate student retention and well-being, allowing graduate students to successfully navigate and thrive in graduate programs.

Elizabeth Sturdy, who recently completed her first academic year as Graduate Studies' director of mentoring and advising, feels that the awards demonstrate renewed interest in and recognition of faculty-graduate student mentoring at UC Davis. “I am so pleased 34 graduate programs participated in recognizing the mentors and advisors who go above and beyond to support our graduate students," said Sturdy. "It was clear in reading the nomination letters just how many faculty have devoted themselves to improving graduate program resources and mentoring their graduate students through various stages of their degree programs. These efforts have a great impact on graduate student success and experience and I want to join the graduate programs in extending thanks and gratitude for all the support these faculty have provided.” 

For more information on Graduate Studies' mentoring resources, awards, and programs, visit the mentoring webpage.

About Graduate Studies

Graduate Studies at UC Davis includes over 100 dynamic degree programs and a diverse and interactive student body from around the world. Known for our state-of-the-art research facilities, productive laboratories and progressive spirit – UC Davis offers collaborative and interdisciplinary curricula through graduate groups and designated emphasis options, bringing students and faculty of different academic disciplines together to address real-world challenges.
UC Davis graduate students and postdoctoral scholars become leaders in their fields: researchers, teachers, politicians, mentors and entrepreneurs. They go on to guide, define and impact change within our global community.

For information on Graduate Studies’ current strategic initiatives, visit the Graduate Studies strategic plan page.