The Carolyn Merry Mentoring Award is given to an individual who has demonstrated exceptional mentoring abilities and practices. Dr. Carolyn Merry, a professor emerita of Civil, Environmental and Geodetic Engineering at The Ohio State University, embodied the spirit of a mentor by sharing her wisdom and experience with colleagues, particularly junior scholars, as a scientist, educator, and academic leader. In addition to leadership roles as department chair at her university and president of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing (ASPRS), she served from 2002 to 2004 on the executive committee of UCGIS. While UCGIS President, Carolyn’s leadership style reflected her strengths as a mentor. During and after meetings, she was known for her engagement with participants and careful listening during every conversation.

The goal of the Carolyn Merry Mentoring Award is to recognize her commitment to mentoring and the investment of others who share this philosophy.  Evidence of exceptional mentoring service may include (but not be limited to):

• Distinguishing characteristics of mentoring activities such as:
  • Offering sound counsel and valuable information that positively advances the career of mentees;
  • Generously sharing his/her time to evaluate and critique scholarship and/or instruction;
  • Publicly promoting the activities of the mentee;
  • Involving mentees in research projects such as grants and publications;
  • Behaving as a role model by promoting excellence within the discipline and to the broader community;
• The reach and long-term impact of the mentoring efforts;
• The efforts made toward supporting women and other underrepresented minorities involved with GIScience.

Eligibility: Individuals worldwide are eligible for the award (excluding any individuals currently holding an elected or appointed UCGIS leadership position). Nominees need not be affiliated with a UCGIS member institution, though nominators must be. UCGIS particularly encourages nominations from minority and under-represented groups.