Spotlight: Dr. Mary Heppner

Dr. Heppner, a faculty member in the Educational, School and Counseling Psychology program, won the Graduate Faculty Adviser/Mentor of the Year Award for the 2004–2005 school year.

To me, graduate education is so much about working really closely with our students — that sort of apprenticeship model, where I meet with my students every week, and we’re talking very holistically about who they are as people, what their dreams are professionally but also personally, and how those aspects of their lives go together. That was such a critical part of my own graduate education, and I feel like passing that on to others is so important.

When I accept a new doctoral student, I get to know them personally — I try to get to know their lives — and their professional lives are an important part of that. You go through some hard issues as a graduate student, and you need an advocate in the system — a guide. I really feel that having that role is the most important thing I do.

On a weekly basis, these connections with students are what I enjoy the most. And I love doing research with my students and having my students teaching with me in the classroom. I consider mentoring graduate students a sacred trust and a part of my career that I take very seriously.

Dr. Heppner has been awarded the 2006 MU Graduate Faculty Mentor Award and a 1999 Kemper Award for Outstanding Teaching because of her dedication to her students.

(Photo by Jim Yates, journalism master's student)