The 27th annual Everett I. Mendelsohn Excellence in Mentoring Awards ceremony took place on Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Lehman Hall. Organized by the Harvard Griffin GSAS Student Council, the event brought together faculty, students, and administrators to honor mentors who have made a profound impact on the scholars and scientists they serve. Attendees listened to remarks from students who shared how their mentors have shaped their academic journeys and provided support and guidance during their time at Harvard.
The Mentoring Awards, established in 1999, continue a long-standing tradition of recognizing faculty who go above and beyond in supporting the academic, personal, and professional development of Harvard Griffin GSAS students. This year’s recipients were celebrated for their commitment to "holistic mentoring," advocacy, and for tailoring their support to the unique needs of their advisees. Learn more about the history of the award and past winners on Engage.
About the Winners
Katrina Forrester is the John L. Loeb Associate Professor of the Social Sciences in the Department of Government and Committee on Social Studies. She goes “above and beyond” and is renowned for her “holistic mentoring” for students. She wins praise for her “nuts-and-bolts advice” and attention to detail. Many students commend her for community building and inclusion.
Lisa Goodrich is a professor of neurobiology and the vice chair of neurobiology at Harvard Medical School. Students celebrate her “advocacy for students” and say she is a “safe-harbor” during times of uncertainty. “Unwavering in her support,” Goodrich is also praised for her leadership in professional development.
Andrew Gordon is the Lee and Juliet Folger Fund Professor of History at the Reischauer Institute for Japanese Studies. He has “touched the lives of countless students” with consistent devotion to training scholars.
Patrick Slade is an assistant professor of bioengineering at the Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering. He is recognized for “strong, consistent support” and “tailoring his mentorship” to each student.
Quinn White is an assistant professor of philosophy at the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Renowned as an “insightful, generous and meticulous” mentor, students recognize White as a “genuinely good person” and praise his breadth of expertise, calling him “an excellent role model” for aspiring scholars.
Rachel Wilson is the Joseph B. Martin Professor of Basic Research in the Field of Neurobiology and Harvard Medical School Investigator at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute. She is celebrated for her “canonical qualities” and her ability to “coax brilliance out of everyone else around her.” Students comment that Wilson instills a lifetime of “hope, confidence, and courage” in her mentees.
Congratulations to this year’s honorees!
Banner photo by Muqing Xu
