Academics

Taryn Mockus honored with Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State doctoral student Taryn Mockus was awarded the Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award during the annual Graduate Student Awards Luncheon held on April 25 at the Nittany Lion Inn.

The Graduate Student Excellence in Mentoring Award recognizes senior doctoral students for exemplary and effective mentoring of undergraduate and/or new or junior graduate students that contributes to the students’ personal growth, professional development and/or academic success.

A doctoral student in neuroscience studying at the Penn State College of Medicine, Mockus partnered with a faculty member to develop the Near-Peer summer intern mentoring program at the College. The program pairs graduate students with undergraduates who have been selected to enhance their educational experience through work in basic science and clinical research labs at the College. 

Mockus has recruited mentors to assist with the laboratory skills boot camp, organized a journal club for the undergraduates, planned social events for the interns and mentors and established discussion and one-on-one feedback sessions for interns to practice their symposium presentations. 

Mockus's faculty collaborator on the Near-Peer program wrote that Mockus is uniquely defined by “her strong and selfless motivation to help others, her ability to engage her peers to share their talents and skills, and her resilience and persistence to work through and overcome problems.”

Last Updated May 3, 2018