Outstanding Faculty Mentor awardee spotlights
As we celebrate this year’s Outstanding Faculty Mentors, we would like to showcase the winners’ remarkable work in mentoring. Their stories illustrate the profound impact of mentorship on both the mentor and mentee. These heartwarming testimonials aim to express their gratitude for the difference their mentor has made in their lives. We are fortunate to have such dedicated and caring individuals as mentors in the ASU community!
Amy Markos
What does being recognized as an Outstanding Faculty Mentor mean to you?
I am lucky to be able to do what I love: mentoring doctoral students. The best part of my job is building relationships with a group of students over two years, seeing them design and implement an action research study, analyze their data and successfully defend their dissertation. Being recognized as being good at what you love is next level. My students’ success (school, life, scholarship, research) is my success.
Read Amy's full interview + Q&A with her mentee, Kristen Pena!
Cindi SturtzSreetharan
What does being recognized as an Outstanding Faculty Mentor mean to you?
Last fall, when I received the nomination email, I felt honored, surprised and delighted! I appreciated the chance to focus on and reflect on the mentorship I received as a mentee and the mentorship I engaged in as a mentor. At ASU, my colleagues (faculty, staff and students) have been amazing role models, mentors and supporters. The only reason I can even have my name in this fantastic Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award is because of the students who are willing to take a chance to work with me. This award is validating my commitment to mentoring practice and praxis.
Read Cindy's full interview + Q&A with her mentee, Liam Gleason!
Arvind Varsani
What does being recognized as an Outstanding Faculty Mentor mean to you?
I am thankful to my mentees for nominating me for this award in the first place. It acknowledges my efforts in creating an inclusive and individualized mentoring environment and a safe work environment that positively impacts my mentees and their experience at ASU.
Read Arvind's full interview + Q&A with his mentee, Karla Vargas!
Allan Colbern
What does being recognized as an Outstanding Faculty Mentor mean to you?
This award means I am succeeding in creating a welcoming, supportive, and collaborative community between myself and the students I work closely with within the social justice and human rights master’s program. It is also a recognition of the incredible support from my wife, Shima and our two kids, Maya and Kilian. They support and empower my career tremendously, allowing me to step away to meet with students.
Read Allan's full interview + Q&A with his mentee, Katie Glenn!
Read their official mentoring statements
More stories from the Graduate Insider
Graduate funding deadlines for Fall
Witches worldwide, literature and mental health: A conversation with Ana Silvia Cervantes Figueroa
How to feel confident in your next interview
Let’s be honest, interviews can feel nerve-wracking. Your palms sweat, your heart races, and you start to second-guess whether you even remember your own name. But here’s the good news: with a little preparation, you can walk into (or log onto) your next interview feeling calm, collected, and ready to shine.