Research Mentor Awards
Eligibility
UNCG faculty members with experience mentoring UNCG undergraduate students in projects that contribute to their disciplinary scholarship are eligible for this award. Nominees should hold a terminal degree in their discipline. The faculty member must have mentored at least five UNCG undergraduate students in research and/or creative inquiry. Prior recipients can be reconsidered after a three-year interlude.
Examples of the types of activities that will be considered in the selection process include:
Evidence of consistent research and scholarly activity involving UNCG undergraduate students in research or creative inquiry;Mentoring UNCG undergraduates whose work has led to peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations;Innovative approaches to mentoring undergraduates, including the involvement of graduate students and post-doctoral scholars in undergraduate student mentorshipExtramural support for undergraduate research activities through grants, contracts, and/or fundraising.
2026 Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Winner for Tenured Faculty
Dr. Jennifer Toller Erausquin, Public Health Education
“Dr. Erausquin’s mentorship extended beyond research methodology. She continuously fostered a supportive and inclusive environment where students were encouraged to ask questions, think critically, and present their findings with confidence. She invests deeply in her students’ growth, helping us strengthen not only our academic and research skills but also our sense of purpose as future public health professionals.”
— Karla Hernandez Alvarez ’24
2026 Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Winner for Pre-Tenured Faculty
Dr. Eric Drollette, Kinesiology
“I mentor a large number of undergraduate students because I believe research training should begin early, and undergraduates are capable of far more than they are often given the chance to do.”
2026 Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award Winner for Professional Track Faculty
Dr. Jessica Caporaso, Psychology
“I tackle each day with the belief that every student deserves opportunities to succeed, regardless of life circumstances or privileges,” she says. “One of the most important lessons I have learned at UNCG is that maintaining high standards is not incompatible with meeting students where they are. Many students are willing and eager to rise to expectations when those standards are balanced with empathy, understanding, and flexibility.”
