Prof. Diana Franklin received an Undergraduate Research Mentoring award from the National Center for Women and Information Technology. The annual NCWIT Undergraduate Research Mentoring Award recognizes American Academic Alliance representatives for their outstanding mentorship, high-quality research opportunities, recruitment of women and minority students, and efforts to encourage and advance undergraduates in computing-related fields.

Students often cite the importance of an individual faculty mentor whose support influenced their educational and career path. Data show that research experiences for undergraduates (REUs) can make a difference in students’ lives and provide a pathway to graduate degrees and research careers. REUs can be particularly important for women – who earn only 18% of all bachelor’s degrees in computing – since they provide opportunities for personalized student-faculty interaction, a strong predictor of student retention.

Dr. Franklin was recognized for the impact that her mentoring has had on her students’ lives. Her students noted her successful efforts to encourage them to believe in themselves and their future success, to pursue PhD’s and faculty positions, and to strategically plan for success.