Nominations are being accepted until Wednesday, March 24 for two Faculty of Graduate Studies awards honouring outstanding mentorship and leadership within the graduate community at Brock.<\/p>\n
The Marilyn Rose Graduate Leadership Award, named in honour of Brock\u2019s Dean of Graduate Studies from 2005 to 2011, recognizes faculty, staff and students who have demonstrated leadership in enhancing graduate studies at the University. All members of the Brock community are invited to submit nominations. The award winner will receive $500.<\/p>\n
The Michael Plyley Graduate Mentorship Awards, named in honour of Brock\u2019s Dean of Graduate Studies from 2011 to 2016, recognizes the essential role of mentorship in graduate education in two categories: Mentorship of master\u2019s students only and mentorship of both master\u2019s and PhD students. Graduate students are invited to submit nominations. Award winners receive $1,000 to assist with ongoing graduate student mentorship.<\/p>\n
\u201cQuality supervision is one of the best predictors of graduate student satisfaction,\u201d said Dean of Graduate Studies Suzanne Curtin, who acknowledged the importance of recognizing outstanding mentorship.<\/p>\n
\u201cFaculty members mentor graduate students because they care about students and want to support their development, but that doesn\u2019t mean that supervision is always easy,\u201d she said. \u201cIt goes beyond discipline-specific training by incorporating professional and personal development, and being aware of mental health and wellness \u2014 providing holistic support of students.\u201d<\/p>\n
Curtin said her own fortune with excellent mentors over her career has influenced her desire to help Brock become a leader in supervisory development.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have been privileged to have a number of people provide mentorship over my career,\u201d she said. \u201cAs a PhD student, I had co-supervisors from different disciplines who showed me the importance of collaboration and creating my own path. My post-doctoral mentor pushed my thinking and helped me to transition into a faculty role. We still collaborate today and I go to her for advice not only about research, but also about my role as a senior leader.\u201d<\/p>\n