Announcing the 2009 recipient of the Graduate Dean’s Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring Award – Dr Venkat Devarajan of the Department of Electrical Engineering.

The Graduate Dean’s Award for Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring is a new award that enables the University to acknowledge and praise excellence in doctoral student mentoring, an activity that all can agree is a critical role served by graduate faculty.

Dr Devarajan was recommended for this award by his students, both those who are still working with him and those who have graduated and gone on to take important positions in academia and industry. His nomination also received the strong support of his department chair. His nominating materials and his detailed written philosophy of mentoring were carefully reviewed by the award selection committee that was drawn from the leadership of the Graduate Assembly, the Office of Graduate Studies and representatives of the Graduate Student Senate. While there were many excellent nominees, he was unanimously selected as this year’s recipient. Students, department chair and committee all agree that Dr. Devarajan is an outstanding mentor who provides individualized guidance in extraordinary depth and breadth. He strives to build and succeeds in creating relationships with his students based on mutual respect and collegiality beginning during his students’ first years of study and continuing on when they step into their professional lives. Finally Dr Devarajan conveys the spirit of joy and excitement about learning and discovery that remains with his students throughout their careers.

Effective mentoring is a crucial determinant of graduate student success and, in a very real and direct way, excellence in mentoring is also a reflection of the core values of our institution that build our reputation among national and international audiences. Dr Devarajan fulfills the role of mentor in a manner that brings credit to himself and to our University.

Dr Devarajan’s Essay on Mentoring (PDF, 140KB)

Announcing the 2009 recipient of the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award for Graduate Advising – Melanie McGee, Director of MBA Programs, from the College of Business.

The Outstanding Academic Advisor Award program, started in the 1984–1985 academic year, recognizes distinguished advisors who strive to uphold the University’s pursuit of academic excellence. These individuals do so by developing and nurturing relationships and working closely with not only our student population, but the University and community at large. While there were many excellent nominees, Melanie McGee was selected as this year’s recipient for graduate advising.

Melanie McGee was recommended for this award by both students and colleagues. Her nomination dossier includes a detailed written personal statement on advising and advising administration that demonstrates the significant role an advisor plays in the world of academia.

She has over twenty years of professional financial and accounting leadership in both business and industry, and in education. Her career-long advocacy focuses on the mentoring and effective development of future business professionals and leaders.

In receiving this award, McGee has in turn been selected by the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) to receive a certificate of merit award. NACADA promotes and supports quality academic advising in institutions of higher education to enhance the educational development of students.

Richard J Light, author of Making the Most of College, wrote, “Good advising may be the single most underestimated characteristic of a successful college experience.” The Office of Graduate Studies is proud to recognized Melanie McGee’s service and her award as an Outstanding Academic Advisor for Graduate Advising.

Melanie McGee’s Personal Statement on Advising and Advising Administration (PDF, 79KB)

Melanie McGee’s Bio (PDF, 89KB)