Panferov Reese Receives Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award

College of Humanities Professor Suzanne Panferov Reese will receive the Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Award in recognition for her longstanding dedication to doctoral students in the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching program. 

Panferov Reese served as the chair of the interdisciplinary SLAT program from 2020 to 2025, and over the years, she has served as dissertation chair for 10 doctoral students, comprehensive exam chair for six doctoral students and as a member of 17 doctoral dissertation committees and 15 doctoral comprehensive exam committees. She is also director of the Critical Languages Program and a specialist faculty member in the Department of Public and Applied Humanities.

The Graduate Teaching and Mentoring Awards are the highest honor presented by the Graduate College in recognition of faculty who excel in their teaching and mentoring of graduate and professional students. The awardees have demonstrated a long-standing commitment to excellence in graduate education, including mentoring, professional development and a dedication to creating a learning environment in which all graduate students thrive. The award is recognized at the Outstanding Faculty Awards celebration on Oct. 16. Awardees receive $2,500, a medallion and plaque. 

Numerous colleagues and students alike submitted nomination letters in support of Panferov Reese: 

“Suzanne strives to make the doctoral experience meaningful for the students in the programs she heads. She regularly provides advice and guidance for her students who are going on the job market and continues to stay in touch with them after they have graduated to contribute career mentoring,” one colleague wrote. 

“In addition to the myriad ways that Suzanne provides exemplary mentorship, education, and support to graduate students, she also serves the University of Arizona community (and the greater community) by serving on several committees and organizations that benefit graduate students and graduate education,” said another. 

Panferov Reese was also lauded for her leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic and for strengthening ties with external and internal faculty and alumni, with a focus on building students’ venues for mentorship and networking. 

Students also spoke of Panferov Reese’s dedication, extraordinary leadership and inspiring personal touch: 

“As an international student, my travel to the U.S. to join SLAT program amidst the pandemic was full of obstacles. When I took the Proseminar course in my first semester remotely and struggled with extremely difficult time differences, Dr. Panferov Reese provided me with valuable advice on task management and morale-boosting support, without which I might not persevere throughout the tough first semester of my Ph.D. study,” one student wrote. 

“As SLAT Chair, she has demonstrated a tireless dedication to advocate for graduate students, both on professional and individual levels, by creating opportunities for students to voice their concerns, invest in their professional development through many initiatives such as the events that SLAT organizes, establish fruitful peer mentorships, and to secure much-needed funding,” said another student. 

Kirsten H. Limesand, Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate College, said Panferov Reese’s work with SLAT students embodies the ideals of faculty mentorship. 

“I have observed first-hand Suzanne’s unwavering commitment to graduate students and the success of the SLAT program,” she said. 

Alain-Philippe Durand, Dorrance Dean of the College of Humanities, said Panferov Reese’s interdisciplinary teaching and research are an example for graduate students. 

“Graduate students come from around the world to study with the faculty in the College of Humanities,” Durand said. “Suzanne’s dedication to mentoring students through the SLAT program is second to none.” 

Panferov Reese said the award is “an absolute honor.” 

“It sounds cliché but I know that people took time out of their busy schedules to nominate me. Earning that respect from my colleagues and especially from students is such an authentic recognition of connection. My students have heard me say time and again that connecting with people is so important. It’s the core work that we do in the Humanities. It is always my hope that I connect with my students and with my colleagues through my teaching and mentoring. And being recognized for just that is amazing. May we all continue to connect in these wildly dynamic times,” she said. 

This is the third consecutive year a College of Humanities faculty member has recevied the award, following Elani Hasaki, Professor of Anthropology and Classics, in 2024, and Ana Carvalho, Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and the Second Language Acquisition and Teaching program, in 2023.