Celebrating a culture of mentorship: Recognizing our faculty

We are proud to recognize and thank a distinguished group of faculty members whose commitment to mentorship has contributed to student success in our College and the University of Georgia. From guiding undergraduate researchers to refining their own skills as professional mentors, these educators embody the spirit of leadership and service.

We celebrate our mentors across three programs:

Hutchinson-Crim Mentors: Fostering dedication to education

The Hutchinson-Crim Mentorship Program pairs outstanding undergraduate students in the College with faculty mentors for an entire academic year. These mentors provide critical guidance to students who demonstrate a sincere love for learning and a desire to grow through professional partnership. Their investment ensures these students are supported academically and intellectually, while the funds donated by professor emerita Sylvia Hutchinson provide financial support for students.

We thank the following Hutchinson-Crim mentors:

  • Deborah Barany, assistant professor, Kinesiology
  • Jennifer Brown, professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Bob Capuozzo, clinical associate professor, Educational Theory and Practice
  • Shelby Cosner, Morrill M. Hall Chair in Lifelong Education, Administration, and Policy
  • Kristen Sayeski, professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education

If you are interested in serving as a Hutchinson-Crim mentor, please reach out to Hannah Rogers Davis. (Note: Mentors are paired with students based on students’ needs and interests.)

CURO Mentors: Empowering undergraduate research

Through the Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities (CURO), these faculty members have facilitated “sustained, progressive, and faculty-mentored research” for students. Whether guiding a first-year student or a CURO Research Award recipient, these mentors provide the technical expertise and encouragement necessary for students to make scholarly contributions. Student scholarship is celebrated at the annual CURO Symposium, where their work is showcased to the entire University community.

We congratulate and thank the following CURO mentors:

  • Javad Anjum, assistant professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Deborah A. Barany, assistant professor, Kinesiology
  • Michael Barger, associate professor, Educational Psychology
  • Sandie Bass-Ringdahl, clinical professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Jamie A. Cooper, professor and department head, Kinesiology
  • Ed Delgado-Romero, associate dean for faculty and staff services and professor, Counseling and Human Development Services
  • Ashley Harrison, professor, Educational Psychology
  • Hannah Krimm, associate professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Caroline Lisee, assistant professor, Kinesiology
  • Robert C. Lynall, associate professor, Kinesiology
  • John Mativo, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology
  • Kevin McCully, professor emeritus, Kinesiology
  • Chris Modlesky, Athletic Association Professor, Kinesiology
  • Kristen Sayeski, professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Julianne Schmidt, professor, Kinesiology
  • Michael D. Schmidt, professor, Kinesiology
  • Lehong Shi, assistant research scientist, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology
  • Tony Wolf, assistant professor, Kinesiology
  • Jing Xu, associate professor, Kinesiology
  • Shijun Yan, assistant professor, Kinesiology
  • Xiaoming Zhai, associate professor, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education, and director, AI4STEM Education Center

Graduate School Mentoring Certificate

Finally, we honor the faculty who have completed the Graduate School’s Mentoring Certificate to date. This rigorous program, based on the nationally recognized CIMER Entering Mentoring curriculum, involves seven modules focused on:

  • Setting expectations: Building a foundation for mutual understanding
  • Effective communication: Mastering consistent and clear dialogue with graduate mentees
  • Fostering independence: Guiding students toward professional autonomy
  • Inclusive mentorship: Adapting guidance across diverse identities and perspectives

Completion of this series also grants these faculty members invitation into the McCoy-Hutchinson Graduate Mentoring Academy, a community dedicated to the highest standards of graduate advising.

We congratulate the following faculty members who earned mentoring certificates:

  • Javad Anjum, assistant professor, Communication Sciences and Special Education
  • Lauren Bagdy, assistant professor, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology
  • Janette Hill, professor, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology
  • Kevin Moore, professor, Mathematics, Science, and Social Studies Education
  • Stacey Neuharth-Pritchett, senior associate dean for academic programs and professor, Educational Psychology
  • Jill Stefaniak, associate professor, Workforce Education and Instructional Technology

Mentorship is often the difference between a student simply finishing a degree and truly finding their professional calling. To our Hutchinson-Crim, CURO, and Certified Graduate mentors, thank you for your tireless dedication. Your work is a testament to why the University of Georgia remains a leader in student success and research excellence.

from 
Current Issue