PhD student Joyell Arscott was selected to receive the 2017 Dean's Award for Excellence in Mentoring from the Duke University Graduate School. A committee of graduate deans, faculty and graduate students selected Arscott from a highly competitive pool of nominees to receive the award, which recognizes graduate students who have a consistent record of good mentoring practices.

The award criteria includes:

• Recognizes the natural talents and acquired skills of undergraduates and early-career graduate students and connects them with colleagues who can help them assess and pursue a relevant and rewarding educational and professional path
• Helps students define and achieve their academic and personal goals
• Ensures that fellow students develop an understanding of the content and skills that undergird research in their discipline
• Promotes the development of research skills and interests by monitoring progress and offering honest, constructive feedback when needed or sought
• Creates a supportive environment for research and scholarship by fostering mutual respect and demonstrating sincere and active interest in the well-being of their fellow students
• Maintains accessibility by providing consistently open lines of communication
• Demonstrates significant growth in the development of research and teaching skills, as well as progress toward regular publication and presentation of research
• Thoughtfully directs students to appropriate resources and shows a willingness to work collaboratively with others in multiple-mentoring relationships

As a recipient of the award, Arscott will be presented with a $2,000 award at the 2017 Dean's Awards Reception held in March.