USC Rossier and Pullias Center Research Professor Zoë Corwin has been awarded a distinguished 2024 USC Mentoring Award for Faculty Mentoring Graduate Students.

The award recognizes ‘exceptional individuals who go above and beyond what is expected, fostering an engaging, supportive and inclusive academic environment through their mentorship of colleagues, graduate and undergraduate students.’ Dr. Corwin was selected for the award by her colleagues and students, past and present, at USC.

Professor Corwin’s mentoring contributions are well stated by a former PhD student she worked with, Antar Tichavakunda. “I can honestly say that I try to model much of my mentorship and leadership styles on what I have learned from Dr. Corwin. Academia is not always a space for kindness and warmth, but Dr. Corwin bucks that trend and continues to be a positive role model of how one can navigate the ivory tower while also being a kind, good person," stated Dr. Tichavakunda, now an assistant professor at UCSB.

"I am tremendously humbled by this award — and also find it a tad strange to have received an award for approaching my interactions with students and colleagues with genuine care and kindness. Isn’t that how all of our interactions should be?" asked Dr. Corwin. "I am deeply grateful to the students and colleagues who nominated me — they have mentored me in ways that are profound, uplifting and long lasting."

Dr. Corwin currently serves as the Lead Investigator on Phase II of the Promoting At-promise Student Success (PASS) project, a research-practice partnership between the University of Nebraska, the Susan Thompson Buffett Foundation and the Pullias Center for Higher Education. She has also served as the Principal Investigator for the USC Skate Studies and directed the Digital Equity in Higher Education project.

The award was presented by USC Associate Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs Ginger Clark at a ceremony on May 1, 2024.