Dr. Sarah Prior named Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor of the Year for MSU
April 24, 2025 - Karessa Weir
MSU Sociology Associate Professor Sarah Prior is the 2025 Undergraduate Research Faculty Mentor for Social Science, Arts and the Humanities.
This Michigan State University-wide award was presented by Interim Provost Thomas Jeitschko to Dr. Prior, who also serves as Undergraduate Program Director for Sociology and Director of the Bailey Scholars Program.
Prior was nominated by current Sociology student Lauren Golden who wrote in her nomination letter:
“Dr. Prior’s exemplary teaching and unwavering commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers makes her an exceptional candidate for this award,” Golden wrote. “Dr. Prior is not only an outstanding researcher and mentor but also a personal role model. Her passion for her research, her dedication to making a meaningful impact with her work, and her unwavering support for her students have inspired me to strive for excellence in my own academic and professional pursuits in research and academia. Her work as a qualitative researcher focusing on gender-based issues and sexual violence has not only advanced the field of sociology but has also motivated me to explore and illuminate the challenges faced by marginalized communities.
“Dr. Prior’s example motivates me to one day emulate her impact as a mentor and researcher. What makes Dr. Prior a truly special professor is her concern for her students as individuals. Inside and out of the classroom, she fosters an atmosphere of support and respect, ensuring that each student feels valued. On multiple accounts I have witnessed Dr. Prior make space and time for students’ individual concerns, offering guidance for both academic and non-academic challenges. Dr. Prior has been there for me on countless occasions to help with my future goals, and I would not be even close to where I am in my academic career without her concern for me as an individual. As I have also heard from my peers, Dr. Prior does a fantastic job at making sure all her students feel heard and listened to, often acknowledging how difficult it can be to feel heard as a student in a large lecture course.”
Prior worked with Golden in her Campus Sexual Culture Lab.
“What an honor to be nominated for this award by a truly exemplary student researcher Lauren Golden. I have had the great privilege of working with talented students who are curious about learning and are seeking additional opportunities for research experience. Through our work in my Campus Sexual Culture Lab, we have fostered an environment of curiosity and both the students and I are able to learn with and from each other. Helping students find their own voice as a researcher is one of the many aspects I absolutely love about my job!” said Prior.
Sociology Chair Carla A. Pfeffer said Prior is well deserving of this award.
Dr. Prior’s leadership and work in the Department of Sociology emphasize building and supporting diverse communities of care and placing these values at the center of efforts connected to research, teaching, and service. This year alone, Dr. Prior mentored six UURAF students in the Department of Sociology. Dr. Prior takes on this work because she truly cares about our students and shows up for them every day to provide world-class mentorship and training to help develop their research and analytic skillsets so they can excel in their future careers and make our world a better place.
This award is presented annually and recognizes mentors who have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to mentoring undergraduate researchers. As part of the award, Prior will receive a $1000 honorarium that can be used for professional development.
PPhoto by Jackie Belden Hawthorne, College of Social Science