Kaiser and Young Receive 2025 Outstanding Mentor Award

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The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences is pleased to announce the recipients of this year’s Outstanding Mentor Award. This award, which includes a $1,000 prize and plaque, recognizes SBS faculty who have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the mentorship of students. 

Nominees for the Outstanding Mentor Award include faculty at any stage in their career who either guide students individually or, more broadly, through developing mentoring communities or other innovative models for mentoring undergraduate or graduate students. 

Joshua Kaiser
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology

Joshua Kaiser has transformed undergraduate and graduate mentoring in the Department of Sociology through his groundbreaking Reimagining Justice Lab. Since arriving at UMass, he has mentored over 50 undergraduate research assistants, chaired multiple honors theses, and collaborated with students as co-authors on scholarly publications. His lab has become a cornerstone for high-impact learning, offering hands-on experience in criminological and genocide research while fostering a deeply inclusive and collaborative environment.

Student letters describe the lab as “transformative,” crediting Professor Kaiser with sparking their passion for social justice, research, and graduate study. His mentorship prioritizes intellectual rigor, emotional care, and critical reflection, especially essential given the challenging subject matter students confront. He creates space for students of all backgrounds to contribute meaningfully and supports their academic and professional growth beyond graduation. Alumni describe him as a “lifelong mentor,” helping them pursue graduate degrees, secure scholarships, and shape their careers in social work, law, and public service.

Professor Kaiser’s mentoring excellence extends to graduate students through advising, committee service, and co-authorship of research. By nurturing research communities rooted in empathy, rigor, and justice, Professor Kaiser exemplifies what it means to be an outstanding mentor. His constant commitment to students’ growth and success makes him a vital asset to SBS and UMass Amherst.

Kevin Young
Professor, Department of Economics

Kevin Young is a mentor who inspires confidence, fosters community, and opens doors for students and colleagues at every level. His impact reaches undergraduates, graduate students, postdocs, and early-career scholars, each benefiting from his exceptional care, generosity, and investment in their success.

Through initiatives like the World Elite Database project and weekly research group meetings, Professor Young has cultivated collaborative, cross-level communities that empower students to engage in original research and scholarship. His mentees frequently publish, present internationally, and secure competitive positions and funding, often with his guidance every step of the way. One graduate student credits her dissertation, career, and sense of purpose to his support, calling their mentorship “life-changing.” Another described how he turned hallway chats into key research collaborations.

Professor Young’s mentorship is deeply human. He makes time for weekly meetings, remembers birthdays, and even sends care packages or travel tips. He lifts up students' voices, publicly crediting their contributions at conferences and advocating for their advancement behind the scenes. His guidance spans everything from data coding and academic writing to emotional support during the job market.

His peers and mentees describe him as a “connector,” a “role model,” and the most dedicated mentor they’ve encountered. Through his vision, encouragement, and personal generosity, Professor Young has built more than just research teams, he has built communities that thrive long after students graduate.

SBS recognizes the outstanding work of these two faculty members. The SBS Outstanding Mentor Award is presented annually to those nominated by their peers and students. Please visit the SBS Faculty Awards page to learn more about the complete nomination requirements and a list of all past winners.