2018 Graduate Faculty Mentoring Award
Together with the Graduate Student Association, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research is pleased to announce the inaugural winner of a new award intended to recognize faculty who serve as exemplary mentors to graduate students in Arts & Sciences. Matthias Leu, Associate Professor of Biology has been chosen for this honor based on several warm and compelling letters of nomination from graduate students in Biology.
The Graduate Faculty Mentoring Award is made possible through partnership and support from the A&S Graduate Studies Advisory Board, the Provost, the Vice Provost for Research and Graduate and Professional Studies, the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences, and the Dean of Graduate Studies and Research. The Graduate Student Association was instrumental in initiating this award.
Award Citation for Professor Matthias Leu
Alongside his administrative role as Graduate Director for the Biology Department and his own teaching and research commitments, Professor Leu has proven to be a tireless advocate and mentor for graduate students in the department. At the departmental level he has worked to improve student opportunities and to enrich the graduate-level curriculum, often collaborating with faculty colleagues to bring solid graduate education dimensions into their courses.
Frequently described as approachable, attentive, interested, and respectful, his concern for the well-being and success of every student extends to the integrity of their research projects, their confidence and development as apprentice teachers, and opportunities to win grants and showcase their research at professional meetings. Students cite his ability to "remain highly involved with me and my work without micromanaging or removing my agency" and to "steer my course by continuing to pose focused questions" — and appreciate his "benevolent scrutiny" and willingness to provide a push, when needed, to dig deeper, set the highest standard, and stay on track toward success.
For the many ways in which he serves as a role model for graduate mentorship, the Office of Graduate Studies and Research, the Graduate Studies Advisory Board, the Office of the Provost, and the Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Sciences are pleased to honor Professor Leu with the inaugural 2018 Graduate Faculty Mentorship Award.
