OUTSTANDING Mentor of the Year

The critical piece of the STAR Scholars Program that makes it such a valuable experience for the students is, without a doubt, their Mentors. The STAR Mentors give much to their students’ summer experiences and do so with no compensation.

In Summer 2011, the Office of Undergraduate Research created a process to recognize the STAR Mentors and to particularly celebrate the Outstanding Mentor of the Year. STAR Scholars are given the opportunity to nominate their faculty mentors or graduate student mentors for the “Outstanding Mentor of the Year” award, which provides the awardee with a $1,000 award to futher his or her research with undergraduate students.

Each nominated mentor receives a letter signed by Provost Blake that outlines the common characteristics held by all nominated Mentors, and each letter includes excerpts from the students’ nomination letters to provide an individualized account of just how these Mentors have contributed to those specific students’ experiences.

Based on these nominations, outstanding Mentors:

• Are passionate experts in their field who freely share their expertise with students

• Care deeply about their students and treat them with respect

• Generously foster students’ intellectual and professional development

• Actively engage students in learning and celebrate their success

• Go above and beyond in supporting their students

All of our mentors go beyond the call in their work with STAR Scholars, and we are genuinely grateful for the time and effort they commit to furthering the education of undergraduate students.

2017 Outstanding Mentor of the Year

Dr. Edward Daeschler & Dr. Kapil Dandekar

The 2017 Outstanding STAR Mentor of the Year Award was presented to two faculty: Dr. Edward (Ted) Daeschler (Academy of Natural Sciences, BEES) and Dr. Kapil Dandekar (Electrical & Computer Engineering). Both Dr. Daeschler and Dr. Dandekar received a plaque engraved with their names, as well as a $1,000 grant to support their further work with undergraduate researchers.

It is for Dr. Ted Daschler and Dr. Kapil Dandekar’s commitment to educaitng and mentoring students, both in the STAR program and in the research setting, that we honor them as our 2017 Outstanding Mentors of the Year.