Pushing me to my best academic self

Ann was my primary research mentor when I was a doctoral student, and she was always in my corner. She continually took the time to give me really insightful advice, from when I was a first-year student, up until I received my PhD, and beyond! She struck a great balance of being warm and wise and always asking me questions that pulled for critical thinking. She knew how to balance being a supportive mentor with eliciting thoughtful ideas and innovative work from her students.

I often left her office after a meeting thinking, “What a great question [that she had asked me] to consider about my work.” I might not have known the answer at that moment, but when I came to the answer, my work was always better and stronger. To this day when we collaborate, she still does this. I feel lucky to continue to have someone in my corner professionally who gently but firmly pushes me to be my best academic self.

— Angela Narayan (MA ’11, PhD ’15) associate professor, University of Denver; creator, Benevolent Childhood Experiences (BCEs) scale