Excellence in Mentoring Award
The Excellence in Mentoring Award, presented for the 1st time this year, recognizes a faculty member who has demonstrated mastery of the broad spectrum of activities associated with outstanding mentoring of graduate students in the School of Marine Science. The award recognizes the key role faculty play in providing intellectual guidance and fostering the development of their students as scholars, teachers, and professionals.
Earning the inaugural Excellence in Mentoring Award is Dr. Marjy Friedrichs.
Since arriving at VIMS in 2006, Marjy has advised or co-advised 8 doctoral students, including 2 students who entered the Ph.D. program after completing a Master’s degree in her lab. She has also served as a committee member for 16 additional students at VIMS, and for 5 students at other institutions.
Advisees describe Marjy as inspiring, generous, dedicated, responsive, knowledgeable, thoughtful, and patient. They consistently highlight her student-centered approach and her unwavering commitment to help them reach their full potential. She considers their career goals, encourages them to explore new ideas and opportunities, and provides the needed training along with the necessary financial and logistical support.
Marjy ensures student success, well-being, and resilience through her ability to make every student feel valued and supported. A recent grad summed it up when he wrote, “When asked for advice on graduate school by undergrads… I start with what I see as the most important factor in ensuring success—finding an advisor who advocates for you and views your success as their own. Marjy is the embodiment of that ethos.”
For extraordinary, holistic support of the intellectual, professional, and personal growth of her students, we are very pleased to present Dr. Marjy Friedrichs with the Excellence in Mentoring Award for 2017.