Academics

Whitney recognized with 2018 Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Anne Whitney, professor of education in the College of Education, is the recipient of the 2018 Howard B. Palmer Faculty Mentoring Award.

The award honors and recognizes outstanding achievement by a faculty member with at least five years of service who effectively guides junior faculty. Howard Palmer was the senior associate dean of The Graduate School from 1984 to 1991.

Whitney was honored by her colleagues for various efforts to mentor junior faculty including establishing a faculty writing group, assisting with the mentorship of graduate students and going above and beyond to be available to junior colleagues.

Whitney, who is a scholar of writing and writing teacher education, has begun several professional writing groups to assist faculty. This effort has strengthened the writing of many faculty members and has improved their published material. Since it began in 2013, the group in which her nominators participate has been a source for support, advice, mentoring and therapy, colleagues said.
“Not only has the process for developing my writing grown, I’ve simply become a better writer,” a colleague said. “Additionally, I’ve become a better reader and reviewer of scholarly writing, which has strongly supported my work with graduate students.”

A colleague praised Whitney’s help developing a graduate seminar. The colleague said Whitney was active throughout the process, even attending a session of the course.

The colleague also praised Whitney’s approach to graduate students, thinking of them as colleagues.
“Her scholarship including her research teaching and service is predicated on the growth of others, particularly related to their writing and teaching,” the colleague said. “I have simply been a direct benefactor of this work and I am grateful for it.”

Another colleague said Whitney went out of her way to make her feel welcome in the transition to University Park. Whitney hosted a gathering linking her to faculty members, invited her to the writing group and even helped her find a daycare for her child.

“When I think of a mentor I think of someone who knows the ropes and is willing to slow down in order to teach someone else how to swing with the same agility,” the colleague said. “Dr. Whitney is someone who measures success collectively, who feels accomplished not only when personal goals are met but also when assistive efforts contribute to victories. A mentor is someone who knows when providing guidance is most appropriate and when the moment requires nothing more than close, quiet listening. All of these characteristics shine through in Dr. Whitney.”

Last Updated April 2, 2018