Congratulations to the recipients of the 2025 Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards!

In recognition of the critically important role that mentors play in supporting undergraduate and graduate student research and creative activity, the Office of Student Research offers two annual Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards for outstanding mentorship. The Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes individuals who have demonstrated excellence in mentoring and supporting student researchers. Strong nominations demonstrate excellence in mentoring by supporting and influencing students’ educational and career paths. Examples may include peer-reviewed publications involving Longwood students; student presentations or awards; and evidence of continued success of mentored students.

This year, the OSR awarded two Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Awards: one award is for assistant professors, lecturers, clinical educators, or librarians who have 6 or fewer years of service at Longwood and one award is for associate or full professors, senior lecturers, senior clinical educators, or librarians who have more than 6 years of service at Longwood. The Advisory Board for the Office of Student Research selected the award recipients.

• This year, the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award for assistant professors, lecturers, clinical educators, or librarians who have 6 or fewer years of service at Longwood was awarded to Dr. Amanda Starr, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences.

In the nomination form, Dr. Starr's student said:

“Due to participating in this research project and to Dr. Starr’s overall influence, I am now interested in pursuing a PhD and becoming an undergraduate professor in biology, which I thought was not possible when I was a freshman. She let me explore many aspects of our research and helped cultivate my own special interests related to the biological sciences. I feel a lot more prepared to go into the professional world compared to before I met Dr. Starr. She really is a shining star of my life and I would not be here without her.”

• This year, the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award for associate or full professors, senior lecturers, senior clinical educators, or librarians who have more than 6 years of service at Longwood goes to Dr. Ryan Stouffer, Department of Communication Studies.

In the nomination form, Dr. Stouffer's student said:    

“Dr. Stouffer gave me the courage to chase my dreams. Without his guidance and mentorship, I would never have applied to graduate programs across the United States. In addition, without the research I conducted under Dr. Stouffer’s advisement, I would not have been adequately set up for success at the graduate level. I am the most prepared and experienced person in my master’s program, thanks to the diverse methods of research, academic confidence, and sheer determination that Dr. Stouffer passed on to me through his mentorship.”

Congratulations to Dr. Starr and Dr. Stouffer!

The Office of Student Research would also like to recognize the following 4 faculty who were nominated by their students for the Faculty Excellence in Mentoring Award this year:

Dr. Chris Bjornsen, Department of Psychology

Dr. Matthew Lucas, Department of Health, Recreation, and Kinesiology

Dr. Bjoern Ludwar, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences

Dr. Yulia Uryadova, Department of History, Political Science, and Philosophy

Congratulations to these inspiring mentors!

If you would like to learn more about getting involved in research at Longwood University, please visit Longwood’s Office of Student Research website http://www.longwood.edu/office-of-student-research/

or contact Amorette Barber, Director of the Office of Student Research ([email protected] or [email protected]).