Florence Denmark Mentoring Award Winners

2008 Award Winner

Maureen McHugh
Professor of Psychology, Indiana University-Pennsylvania

Maureen McHugh was described by her students as “my coach, confidant, sounding board, and cheerleader,” a “wise and trusted counselor,” and a “wonderful, inspiring, generous and brilliant woman.” She is well known as an “engaging teacher who challenges traditional ways of thinking.” One of her former students described a classroom experience in which the student reflected “I had never thought of the world in that way even though I considered myself to be a feminist.” In professional talks and lectures she is “eloquent and fired up.” Yet students still easily connect to her as someone who “gets it” when discussing class, race international women’s issues, consumerism and environmental issues. Her former students report she is still “down to earth and accessible.”

Perhaps one of the most important qualities of a mentor is enhancing the professional connections of her students. This mentor’s students report being asked “What are you going to present at AWP this year?” They indicate that when attending AWP, they were introduced to everyone this mentor knows (which is a substantial number of feminists!), and meeting their scholarly heroes! As part of her training for the profession of psychology, she offers opportunities for collaboration with her students, and students report feeling that they “realized potential that they didn’t know they had.”

When students seek out this mentor for advice, they also receive warm support and encouragement. She is described as a “steadfast support system.” This mentor also opens her home to her students, who find it “eye-opening to see a successful professional woman also manage a relationship and parenthood.” By example, she teaches her students to be a feminist role model to their own students and to their children.

This mentor also teaches teamwork without competition. She infuses her teaching, professional work, and mentoring with humor, generosity, kindness, and positive energy. She encourages excellence in her students and former students so that they can “confirm her initial assessment of them as bright and talented psychologists.”

For the valuable mentoring she has provided, and for the sensitive concern she has shown for the next generation of psychologists, AWP is honored to present the fourth annual Florence Denmark Distinguished Mentoring Award to Maureen McHugh!

2007 Award Winner

Angela Gillem
Professor of Psychology, Arcadia University

The award recipient chosen was described by her students as “a role model,” “my incentive to do well and become successful in the field,” “a valuable coach/mentor,” “the only mentor that remains in my head,” and even as “more than a mentor”!

She is well known on her own campus for being a tough professor Although she accepts students where they begin, she encourages them “to strive to be more open and understanding.” In the classroom, she acts as a role model by sharing truly personal experiences and encouraging students to examine their own “views, biases, and prejudices in a safe and accepting environment.” These classroom experiences are a form of mentorship. In their professional work as counselors, students cite their mentor as influential in their development. For example, one student reported that these classroom experiences “provided me with the foundations to succeed as I started my journey into counseling and as I continue with my journey today.”

Perhaps one of the most important qualities of a mentor is her availability. One student said “her door was always open to help with any questions, as well as provide guidance or supervision…. To this day I feel she still is available and always willing to help.”

This mentor seems to have a vision of students’ abilities, and she effectively encourages them to achieve that vision. One student wrote “She must have seen something in me that I would never have been able to recognize on my own.” Another student said that having this mentor “see potential in me…allowed me to begin to see that potential in myself.” She also supports students in her collaborations on research projects. Students learn from these collaborations, and importantly, this mentor “does not take a step forward without making sure that younger psychologists and students are pulled right along with (and not simply behind) her!”

The award recipient also provides opportunities to younger colleagues and former students for professional development. She is also devoted to serving the psychology profession, as her involvement with AWP and other national organizations indicates.

2006 Award Winner

Joan Chrisler
Professor of Psychology, Connecticut College

Joan Chrisler was described by her students as “a feminist leader,” “a mentor and inspiration to all women,” and as a “leader and a role model in a variety of organizations.”

She is well known on her own campus, and in broader professional circles, for her mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students. She is perceived by students as having a knowledge of feminist issues that is “truly astounding.” In fact, she is sought out by students for the supportive thesis advising she provides. In particular, she focuses on giving students opportunities to help them prepare for professional success. These opportunities include encouraging them to present their research at professional conferences – including AWP. Over the years, she has brought dozens of students to AWP. Many of these students remain lifelong AWP members and devotees. The mentoring does not end with graduation, as she continues to provide guidance to former students.

The award recipient provides opportunities to younger colleagues and former students for professional development, including invitations to write chapters, to co-author work, and to participate in leadership of professional organizations. She makes a point of including inexperienced writers in her edited work. She also provides more applied mentoring, by guiding young professionals through their first teaching and research experiences. One mentored colleague indicated that she has learned from the award recipient the value of mentoring, and feels that her own “relationships with students are influenced in a large way by her role modeling.”

This year’s Florence Denmark Award recipient is also known for her academic work on professional development. In addition to publications that address professional development issues for women in academics, she regularly organizes, facilitates, and participates in workshops on these issues at conferences and meetings. She is devoted to serving her own students and local colleagues, as well as international feminist psychologists. Her long-time involvement in psychology includes her devotion to AWP, as well as APA’s Division 35 and Division 52 – the Division concerned with International Psychology. She has provided selfless mentoring of women around the world. Her recommenders assert that the Florence Denmark Mentoring Award was “custom made for her!”

2005 Award Winner

Kathryn (Kat) Quina
Professor of Psychology, University of Rhode Island

Kathryn (Kat) Quina was described by her students as “invaluable, warm, caring, fair-minded, engaging, and admirable.” She is said to embody the heart and spirit of true feminist mentoring. Her students consider themselves fortunate to work with her, and describe her endless energy and guidance. One student wrote, “As I write this, I am picturing what my graduate education would have been without her. If I were to subtract the research training and experience I gained, her presence on my committee, her class on teaching, and her positive personal influence, support, and example, I would be subtracting much of the best of my training years.” She has helped her students to define their own identity, and has advocated on their behalf. In fact, she is known for her outspoken dedication to the rights of students. She is also a role model for her former students, who indicate they hope to emulate her in their own professional lives.

This mentor is particularly skilled in working with non-traditional students. Despite what they described as “complicated lives,” she took them under her wing, reassured them, and supported them through their academic career. Students of color described her as sensitive and competent in discussing issues of multiculturalism, and indicated they could trust her as an ally.
She regularly brings students to AWP and other psychology conferences, introducing them to other feminist researchers and practitioners. She maintains a strong network of former students, with whom she continues to co-author publications and writes grants. Her valuable network of professional colleagues means that her students and colleagues have access to a treasury of information and experience. We even received a letter from a professional colleague of this mentor, who described receiving guidance on career development and advancement, funding and award opportunity information, and departmental publicity for accomplishments.

For the valuable mentoring she has provided for students, former students, and colleagues, AWP and I are honored to present the first annual Florence Denmark Distinguished Mentoring Award to Kathryn Quina!

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