Professor Jeanine Mingé of the Department of Communication Studies was named one of the recipients of the 2010 Don Dorsey Excellence in Mentoring Awards. The annual awards, presented by the Faculty MentorProgram, recognize faculty and staff who have made exceptional contributions to mentoring of past and present students; who take a holistic approach to mentoring, including academic and personal support; and who support the University’s commitment to the success of students of diverse backgrounds and communities.
Professor Mingé serves as Director of the Performance Ensemble and is credited by her students as providing “life-changing” experiences and nurturing their passion for social justice. According to department chair Professor Bernardo Attias, the performances she has directed have “connected students and audiences to the world outside of the theatrical space in an active and engaged manner.” He added that students value her guidance and leadership because “fundamentally, she believes in our students – she believes in their ability to bring something valuable to the table, she believes in their ability to succeed, she believes in their ability to believe in themselves. She pushes them to rise above their own expectations of themselves, and they surprise themselves when they do.” Graduate student Tamar Artin echoed these observations, crediting Professor Mingé with “creating an inclusive and safe environment within her classrooms,” enabling all students to grow, especially in appreciation of their role in promoting for social justice. Professor Mingé holds a Ph.D. from University of South Florida.
The Dorsey mentoring awards were established in 1998 by the Faculty Mentor Program and the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP). The awards are named after Professor Don Dorsey of Educational Psychology and Counseling who helped develop CSUN’s first mentor training program and devoted himself as a mentor to innumerable students. More information about this year’s recipients is available at the EOP Website.