Mentorship Spotlight

Featured Faculty: Zac Zimmer (Literature)

Zac Zimmer has demonstrated exceptional commitment and leadership in graduate student mentoring. Adapting techniques often used in STEM fields, Zimmer designs grant strategies around individual student strengths. His focus on graduate student needs and professional development provides an example of the benefits of successful mentorship practices.

In one example, Zimmer, recognizing a student’s excellence in pedagogical design, raised GSR funding for them to develop an online course. The student went on to be the lead TA for a class of 300, and advanced training in online course development and implementation. In another, he involved a student in an interdisciplinary project which engaged philosophical questions about science. Recognizing the relevance of the student’s science fiction studies and the benefits of adding this perspective, Zimmer obtained a GSR position for this student, who also contributed to further course development.

Zimmer is particularly attentive to the needs of undocumented students. He often petitions to chair Qualifying Exam committees and continues as an advisor to ensure stability and consistency for his students.

Send us your stories of outstanding mentorship by faculty, stall, graduate students, and programs! Whether it be an individual person or a department-wide initiative, we want to hear about it and feature great mentorship on campus.

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