The Graduate School is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2025–26 Graduate Faculty Mentor Awards, which recognize outstanding faculty commitment to graduate student mentorship.
Please join us in congratulating this year’s honorees, whose mentorship reflects a shared dedication to clear communication, aligned expectations and supportive learning environments that foster both professional development and psychosocial support. Collectively, this year’s nominations highlighted faculty who balance academic rigor with care for graduate students’ personal and career goals.
The Graduate School also congratulates all nominees for their demonstrated commitment to mentoring graduate students and strengthening Ohio State’s graduate education community.
2026 Graduate Faculty Mentor Award Recipients
Jill C. Heathcock
Associate professor, School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, College of Medicine
Known for meeting students where they are, Jill C. Heathcock adapts expectations and guidance to match trainees’ backgrounds and circumstances. As director of Ohio State’s Infant Laboratory, she builds a strong lab culture by delegating intentionally, encouraging student‑initiated ideas and giving mentees meaningful responsibilities that support skill development while maintaining progress. Heathcock also draws on an extensive professional network to connect students with collaborators, conference opportunities and service roles that expand professional growth.
Nomination quote:
“Dr. Heathcock’s greatest strength is her ability to create connections among others, fostering a sense of community and a network that leaves every individual feeling supported and well connected within the research community.”
Cecilia Mengo
Associate professor, College of Social Work
With a mentee‑centered approach, Cecilia Mengo provides structured guidance that helps graduate students advance research while staying aligned with personal and career goals. She establishes expectations early and uses regular individual and group meetings to strengthen writing, project planning and professional networking. By connecting students to partners, opportunities and resources, Mengo supports the development of feasible projects that have resulted in competitive awards, fellowships and impactful careers in academia and research‑focused organizations.
Nomination quote:
“Dr. Mengo’s mentorship is transformative. Her impact goes beyond academic milestones; it shapes careers, strengthens communities and advances the field of social work.”
Yulong Xing
Professor, Department of Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences
Yulong Xing equips graduate students to become independent scholars while ensuring they feel supported throughout their training. Known for thoughtful listening and clear goal‑setting, Xing provides candid feedback that sustains motivation and helps students turn setbacks into productive next steps. Through leadership roles, he offers steady guidance across the graduate population, including students who benefit from additional structure or reassurance. His advisees are consistently well prepared, articulate their goals clearly and make effective use of available resources.
Nomination quote:
“His thoughtful and compassionate mentorship made me feel truly cared for. Those moments of kindness have left a lasting impression on me and have strengthened my determination to succeed.”