Scholars of Excellence

Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award

The Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award recognizes 新澳门六合彩内幕信息Graduate Faculty who demonstrate the highest level of quality in the mentoring of graduate students in teaching, research, and service. Some of the qualities of an exceptional graduate student
mentor include, but are not limited to:

  • Committed efforts to assist the mentee with networking, job placement and professional development.
  • Provision of sound counsel and advocacy on academic and non-academic issues.
  • Selflessness in the commitment of time.
  • Service as a role model for teaching, research, and outreach.
  • Maintenance of a long term commitment with the mentee past graduation and throughout the trajectory of their career.
  • Elevation of the productivity and success of the mentee beyond what they could normally achieve.

2023 Outstanding Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Recipients

Buzzanell headshot

Patrice Buzzanell, Ph.D.
AWARD RECIPIENT

Communication
College of Arts and Sciences

Teaching Philosophy

Patrice M. Buzzanell, Professor of Communication at 新澳门六合彩内幕信息since 2017, has profoundly impacted graduate mentoring, advising 147 completed theses and dissertations throughout her career and actively supporting 20 current projects across 新澳门六合彩内幕信息and other institutions. Her mentoring philosophy emphasizes "co-mentoring," a collaborative approach that values mutual learning and adapts to each unique relationship. Patrice鈥檚 mentees have earned prestigious awards, including from the Association for Chinese Communication Studies and the Organization for the Study of Communication, Language & Gender, and they hold academic positions nationwide.

Beyond direct mentoring, Patrice advances student and faculty development through leadership roles in professional organizations. Her efforts include DEIB initiatives, organizing workshops, and fostering professional growth in fields like organizational communication and resilience. Patrice has also strengthened mentoring networks globally, co-organizing conferences, delivering keynotes, and conducting research collaborations across continents.

An award-winning mentor, Patrice鈥檚 accolades include the B. Aubrey Fisher Mentorship Award from the International Communication Association and Purdue University鈥檚 Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award. 

Her commitment extends through editorial work, program reviews, and hosting the 鈥淐ommunicating for Impact鈥 ICA podcast series, underscoring her dedication to fostering academic excellence and community. Patrice鈥檚 transformative contributions exemplify the spirit of the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.

 

Travis Bell headshot

Travis Bell, Ph.D.
Honorable Mention
Zimmerman School of Advertising and Mass Communications
College of Arts and Sciences

Teaching Philosophy

Travis R. Bell, Director of Graduate Programs and Research in the Zimmerman School of Advertising & Mass Communications, has demonstrated an exceptional commitment to mentoring graduate students since joining USF's faculty in 2019. As a dedicated mentor, he has chaired 10 master鈥檚 theses, served on committees for students across four departments, and guided students toward academic and professional success. Notably, seven of his mentees have been accepted into top doctoral programs, with others securing industry positions in media and sports organizations.

In addition to mentoring, Bell has enhanced the graduate program curriculum by developing a Media Literacy and Analytics concentration and creating four new graduate courses that emphasize media storytelling and analytics. His "Grad School 101" sessions support first-year graduate students, fostering a collaborative community.

Beyond USF, Bell actively mentors graduate students through associations like the International Association for Communication and Sport, where he coordinates student awards and events. He has also published and presented research with students, earning top paper awards. His unwavering support extends beyond graduation, as he remains committed to advancing his students' careers and academic journeys across disciplines and institutions. Bell鈥檚 dedication makes him a deserving candidate for the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Award.

Erika Greenberg-Schneider headshot

Erika Greenberg-Schneider
Honorable Mention
School of Art & Art History
College of Design, Art & Performance

Teaching Philosophy

Erika Greenberg-Schneider, an Associate Professor in Graphic Design and Printmaking at USF's College of the Arts, has been mentoring MFA Art students since 2005. Her guidance goes beyond traditional instruction, helping students understand the complexities of a professional artistic career. With her mentorship, students develop critical skills for sustaining an art practice post-graduation, gaining resilience and self-sufficiency.

Erika's approach is multifaceted: she serves as a guide, educator, and challenger, pushing students to explore new creative possibilities and refine their work. Her mentorship evolves based on each student鈥檚 growth, offering support as they define their artistic identity. By welcoming students into her studio space and involving them in professional art fairs, Erika provides real-world exposure and opportunities to showcase their work.

Many of Erika's mentees, like Alicia Watkinson, Rachel Treide, and Willow Wells, have successfully transitioned into professional art careers, teaching, exhibiting, and contributing to the art community. Erika鈥檚 dedication ensures that her students are not only skilled but also prepared to thrive as independent artists. Her commitment to fostering both artistic and professional development has earned her the Outstanding Faculty Mentor Honorable Mention.

Past Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award Winners

2023

Award Name Department College
Recipient Ambar Basu, Ph.D. Communication

College of Arts and Sciences

Honorable Mention Jennifer Collins, Ph.D. Geosciences

College of Arts and Sciences

Honorable Mention Davide Tanasi, Ph.D. History

College of Arts and Sciences

2022

Award Name Department College
Recipient Dinorah Martinez Tyson, Ph.D. Community and Family Health

College of Public Health

Honorable Mention R谩chael Powers, Ph.D. Criminology

College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

2021

Award Name Discipline College

Recipient

Yu Chen Molecular Medicine Morsani College of Medicine
Honorable Mention Aisha Durham Communication College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Jerome Breslin Molecular Pharmacology & Physiology Morsani College of Medicine

2020

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Jianfeng Cai Chemistry College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Robert Dedrick Educational Measurement and Research  College of Education
Honorable Mention Robert Frisina Biomedical Engineering College of Engineering

2019

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Chuanmin Hu Professor of Marine Science College of Marine Science
Honorable Mention Valerie Harwood Professor of Integrative Biology College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Raymond Miltenberger Professor of Applied Behavior Analysis College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

2018

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Les Shaw Professor of CMMB College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Kathy Hyer Professor of Aging Studies College of Behavioral and Community Sciences
Honorable Mention Rasim Guldiken Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering College of Engineering
Honorable Mention Manh-Huong Phan Physics College of Arts and Sciences

2017

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient C. Victor Fung Professor of Music Education College of The Arts
Honorable Mention Jonathan Rottenberg Professor of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences

2016

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Pamela Hallock Muller Professor of Marine Science College of Marine Science
Honorable Mention Sara Green Associate Professor of Sociology College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Michael Lynch Professor of Criminology College of Behavioral and Community Sciences

2015

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Sylvia Thomas Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering College of Engineering
Honorable Mention Sarina Ergas Professor of Civil and Electrical Engineering College of Engineering
Honorable Mention Kevin A. Yelvington Professor of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences

2014

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Paul Spector Distinguished Professor of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Nancy Romero-Daza Professor of Anthropology College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Camilla Vasquez Associate Professor of World Languages College of Arts and Sciences

2013

Award Name Discipline College
Recipient Tammy Allen Professor of Psychology College of Arts and Sciences
Honorable Mention Sanjukta Bhanja Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering College of Engineering
Honorable Mention Mya Breitbart Associate Professor of Marine Science College of Marine Science