Educators at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ do more than teach coursework β they mentor the next generation of professionals, helping them discover whatβs possible for themselves and guide them toward it. One engineering professor has been recognized for his impact beyond the classroom.
January is National Mentoring Month, celebrating the value of mentorship and its positive impact on individuals and communities.
The Florida Education Fund (FEF) unanimously selected Assistant Professor Kausik Mukhopadhyay as the recipient of the 2025-26 William R. Jones Outstanding Mentor Award, honoring faculty who demonstrate extraordinary commitment to mentoring and supporting McKnight Doctoral fellows.
It Began with a Nomination
For Mukhopadhyay, the recognition carries added meaning because it came from the people he prioritizes most: his students.
He was nominated by Amanda Bernard β22, a first-year doctoral student, McKnight Doctoral fellow and member of Mukhopadhyayβs . A faculty member in materials science and engineering, Mukhopadhyay says the award came as a complete surprise, as he didnβt even know he was nominated.
βItβs special knowing that this is a student-nominated award,β Mukhopadhyay says. βSpecial thanks to my student, Ms. Amanda Bernard, for secretly nominating me for this award. This is also my first award for mentorship, so it is very special to me. I am so thankful to the FEF committee for this.β
Support That Opens Doors
Bernardβs path to doctoral study reflects the kind of trajectory Mukhopadhyay works to develop. She first joined the KM Lab as an undergraduate biology student and has remained a member for the past year. After earning her bachelorβs degree, she planned to pursue a masterβs degree in materials science and engineering, until Mukhopadhyay β known simply as βDr. Kβ to his students β encouraged her to aim for a doctoral degree.
“Rarely do you meet a professor whose passion is to see his students succeed without expecting anything back.” β Amanda Bernard β22, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ doctoral student
Mukhopadhyay quickly began helping Bernard envision a future she hadnβt fully considered for herself. Within weeks of her joining the KM Lab, Bernard says that he was researching fellowships and internships to support her graduate journey, which led her to the McKnight Doctoral Fellowship.
βOnce you join Dr. Kβs lab, he always has your back,β Bernard says. βHe defends his students, advocates for them and does the behind-the-scenes work most mentors never bother with.β
When Bernard learned she could nominate a professor for the Outstanding Mentor Award, it wasnβt a question of who; it was just a matter of winning.
βDuring my time at ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½, I have met many professors, some of whom have passions in research, teaching, social service and more,β Bernard says. βRarely do you meet a professor whose passion is to see his students succeed without expecting anything back.β
Mentorship That Starts with Students
That belief defines Mukhopadhyayβs approach to mentorship. Over the years, he has mentored nearly 50 students, including visiting scholars, postdoctoral researchers and high school students. His advising philosophy has evolved over the years, shaped by what heβs learned from conferences, books and his personal experience.
“Every scholar is like a puzzle, and I love being able to serve as a resource to help connect the pieces for each one.” β Kausik Mukhopadhyay, ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ assistant professor
Mukhopadhyay says the key to his success as a mentor lies in how he approaches his mentees. He views them as colleagues, not students, and listens to their thoughts and questions.
βI believe a facultyβs success depends on how successful their students are,β Mukhopadhyay says. βEvery scholar is like a puzzle, and I love being able to serve as a resource to help connect the pieces for each one β whether by answering questions about a plan of work and training, pointing them to resources, helping them set and achieve academic and career goals, or simply offering words of encouragement and support when plans donβt get going.β
For Bernard, that support has been transformative. It reflects the power of ΒιΆΉΣ³»΄«Γ½ β a university where mentorship fuels momentum and where faculty invest not only in solving the worldβs greatest problems, but also in its people.
βBeing intentional about creating or modifying my philosophy allows me to reflect on how I interact with [students], make space for their independence and improvement as needed, and contribute to society and the next generation of students,β Mukhopadhyay says.
For the students who walk into his lab, it often marks the moment they begin to see a bigger future and realize theyβre capable of achieving it.
