2020 McNair Graduate Student Mentor of the Year

Student News ISU News
05/01/2020

Congratulations to Graham Redweik, Food Science and Human Nutrition microbiology major, for being named this year’s McNair Graduate Student Mentor of the Year.  Each year, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program honors an outstanding Mentor as nominated by a graduate Scholar mentee. 

Redweik was nominated by Sasha Celada.  In her submission, Celada talked about Redweik’s patience and understanding.  She writes that he taught her transferable skills both in and outside the lab, and that Redweik was helpful in her transfer to Iowa State University from another college.  

“It’s really a great honor to be recognized for this award,” said Redweik.  “In my time at Iowa State, I have been surrounded by motivated and talented undergraduate students like Sasha.  It wasn’t too long ago that I was in her shoes, and I take a lot of pride in helping students discover a passion for research in the same way my undergrad mentors helped me.”

The relationship between the graduate student Mentors and McNair Scholars is essential to the program. As new McNair Scholars learn the language of academic research and expectations of graduate school, Graduate Student Mentors walk side-by-side with McNair Scholars to:

  • Assist as McNair Scholars navigate the graduate school culture in classrooms and labs
  • Support McNair Scholars in research and graduate school processes that have become second nature to Graduate Student Mentors


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