BGSU distinguished professor receives national recognition for student mentorship

Dr. Susan Brown honored by American Sociological Association for involving students in research

By Branden Ferguson

As a leading scholar on social patterns and family structure, Dr. Susan Brown, a distinguished professor of sociology at Bowling Green State University, provides valuable insight on the health and well-being of children, adults and families nationwide through her innovative research and leadership in both the Center for Family and Demographic Research and the renowned National Center for Family and Marriage Research.

In addition to conducting high-impact research in both centers, as a professor, Brown also takes time to help students gain valuable, hands-on experience on projects and other initiatives, fostering academic, personal and professional growth, underscoring The Wall Street Journal's ranking of BGSU as the No. 1 public university in Ohio for the student experience.

After decades of prioritizing student success, Brown was recently awarded the 2024 Outstanding Mentor Award from the Section on Aging and the Life Course of the American Sociological Association (ASA), following nominations from students past and present.

ASA advances sociology as a science and profession, promotes its contributions in society and recognizes practicing professionals for their accomplishments.

“I am tremendously honored to be selected for this mentoring award," Brown said. "I'm humbled to learn that current and former students wrote statements about their experiences with me. Reading their narratives truly underscores the impact our work as faculty can have on students.”

Third-year graduate student Gabrielle Juteau nominated Brown after working closely with her on research surrounding family structures and step families.

"Dr. Brown allowed me to be involved in every step of the research project, from conceptualizing questions, to analyzing data to writing articles," Juteau said.

After working alongside Brown, Juteau said she is inspired to explore public sociology and feels encouraged to ask questions.

“Dr. Brown remains available to meet with students. There is nothing too trivial or big of a question for her," Juteau said. "She’s there to not only educate you but also to mentor, support and guide you. Dr. Brown organizes meetings between faculty members and graduate students to present their research and is always welcoming to students’ ideas on new understudied topics."

For Brown, the chance to mentor BGSU students stems from her own time as a graduate student.

“I think back to my own experience in graduate school. I was fortunate to have an amazing mentor who was generous with his time and advice and genuinely cared about me as a person,” she said. “I hope that my approach to mentoring honors the example he set.”

“Working with students is one of the best parts of being a faculty member at BGSU. Students bring fresh perspectives and ask questions that can challenge existing paradigms and prompt new research questions. Each student starts at a slightly different place and brings their own set of skills, strengths and occasional challenges. Working alongside students and mentoring them is an exciting and rewarding experience.”

Francesca Marino is a third-year graduate student in the sociology doctoral program at BGSU and has worked with Brown since her time as an undergraduate at BGSU. Having the chance to work with Brown and Dr. I-Fen Lin on their internationally cited gray divorce research, Marino was inspired by the curiosity, learning and excitement created by the BGSU researchers.

“Her mentorship and guidance did not stop as I entered the graduate program," Marino said. "I have had the opportunity to continue to work with them on their gray divorce research project as a graduate research assistant. Dr. Brown gives so much to her students through her mentorship and kindness. It has been a pleasure to see her continually inspire other students in similar ways that she has inspired me.”

Inspired by Brown’s extensive understanding of family demography and her insight on contemporary research, Marino said Brown is an exciting professor to work with and makes learning and research more fun. However, Marino said Brown’s mentoring goes beyond subject matter knowledge.

“Dr. Brown celebrates moments with her students, ranging from paper acceptances in academic journals to graduations,” Marino said. “She empathizes with her students during hard and stressful times. She is an excellent source of insight into navigating the challenges of graduate school and leaves students with tidbits of wisdom to help them get through it.”