Tabitha Hardy, assistant vice chancellor for graduate education at Indiana University Indianapolis, received one of two national Faculty Mentor of the Year awards earlier this month at the annual Institute on Teaching and Mentoring , Oct. 29-Nov. 3 in New Orleans.

The Institute is the nation’s largest annual gathering of underrepresented doctoral students and college faculty members of color.

Hardy was nominated by 11 Indiana University, Indianapolis doctoral students including Soumilee Chaudhuri, who said the former assistant professor of biology has been a role model and supporter since 2021.

“Dr. Hardy is a powerful role model, continuously reminding mostly young female scientists of color of what they can achieve,” said Chaudhuri, who coordinated the group’s nomination submission. “Her presence provides reassurance that we have a dedicated advocate and ally to help us navigate academia’s often challenging and inequitable landscape.”

Now in its 31st year, the Institute, hosted by the SREB-State Doctoral Scholars Program, gives the issue of faculty diversity a national focus and provides scholars from underrepresented groups with the strategies necessary to survive the rigors of graduate school, earn the doctoral degree and succeed as members of the professoriate.

Contact: Janita Poe, SREB News Manager, at Janita.Poe@sreb.org or 404-879-5516, ext. 216

The Southern Regional Education Board works with states, districts and schools to improve education at every level, from early childhood through doctoral education and the workforce. An interstate compact and a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization based in Atlanta, SREB was created in 1948 by Southern governors and legislatures to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region.