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The Department of Chemistry is proud to announce that Dr. Jordy Bouwman has been selected as an Exceptional Graduate Faculty Mentor by the ������ý Boulder Graduate School. This prestigious award recognizes Dr. Bouwman’s outstanding commitment to mentoring graduate students, driving innovative research, and supporting academic and professional growth.

Since joining ������ý Boulder, Dr. Bouwman has demonstrated an extraordinary dedication to mentoring graduate students, both as a principal investigator and as our department’s Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). ��Department Chair Wei Zhang praised his leadership, noting Jordy’s “unwavering commitment to student success, program development, and advocacy for procedural improvements have made a high impact on our department.”

Graduate students in the Bouwman Group describe the influence of his mentorship:

Thoughtful, Structured Mentorship

Rory McClish emphasizes how Dr. Bouwman’s approach to mentoring has been transformative for his PhD experience. “We began by sitting down and sketching out an outline for my PhD... This has helped immensely, because we stay on the same page about the arc of my PhD including expectations and direction.” ��Rory added, “I never feel left out in the cold. I find myself extremely appreciative of the research direction he imparts as a PhD advisor.” ��The steady guidance and clear direction Dr. Bouwman provides, helps students navigate the challenges of graduate research with confidence.

Accessible, Present, and Committed to Student Growth

As Denver Talley describes, Dr. Bouwman’s attentive and practical mentorship have been key to his growth. “Jordy is very present in the lab space and hands-on when needed. This makes it super easy to have a quick meeting or to get his advice and help with something when necessary,” Talley said. “Even now, whenever I need help with a problem surrounding my project, he is helpful in suggesting ideas to tackle it and providing hands-on help when needed. ��Overall, Jordy has been, and will continue to be, extremely helpful in mentoring me as I grow as a chemist.”

Guiding Students to Success

Henry Cardwell highlights Dr. Bouwman’s exceptional commitment to both personal mentorship and professional development, noting “Dr. Bouwman is an excellent mentor. He takes time out of his day to discuss our concerns/plans for the future, and whether there is anything we can do to better achieve those aims,” Cardwell said. ��“Early on, Dr. Bouwman placed an emphasis on helping us (his students) develop our grant writing abilities... As a result of his guidance, I was successfully awarded a NASA FINESST grant in the summer of 2024.” Jordy’s investment in his students’ long-term success, equips them with the skills and support they need to thrive during and after graduate school.

Beyond advising students in his research group, Dr. Bouwman serves as the department’s DGS, where his leadership has been instrumental in shaping the PhD program and strengthening graduate student success across the department. Working closely with Graduate Program Manager Jay Bolan, he has helped develop and implement new policies and processes that improve student support, streamline administrative tasks, and enhance the overall graduate experience. Thanks to his efforts, the academic and operational sides of the program work seamlessly together for the benefit of students and faculty alike.

Dr. Bouwman’s unwavering commitment to graduate student success, programmatic improvements, and mentorship make him truly deserving of this award, and the Department of Chemistry proudly congratulates him on this well-deserved recognition. We look forward to his continued contributions to graduate education and research excellence.
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