Assistant Professor of Environmental Studies at CU Boulder and IBS Fellow, Karen Bailey, received the 2025 Exceptional Mentor Award this May. Bailey was one of only 15 faculty in the CU Boulder Graduate School to receive this achievement. The award recognizes faculty mentors who actively improve the graduate student experience.
“I chose to pursue a career in academia because of my love of teaching and the joy it brings me to mentor and support students and early career scholars,” says Bailey. “This award means the world to me, reflecting the fact that my commitment to mentoring is seen and valued by the students I’m lucky enough to work with, and that I’m truly having the impact that I hope to,” said Bailey.
One student who has felt the impact of Bailey’s mentorship is Kathryn Sullivan, a PhD student in environmental studies. When Sullivan experienced a health setback, Bailey went above and beyond to ensure Sullivan could continue her education.
“Dr. Bailey consistently demonstrates an exceptional level of support for students navigating disability services, mental health challenges, and institutional barriers. Her ability to adapt to diverse needs, goals, and personal circumstances of her mentees is a defining strength of her mentorship,” said Sullivan.
Bailey’s adaptability is also evident in her mentorship of India Malkan, a biochemistry and business major. Despite their different disciplines, Malkan has still received an unparalleled level of support from Bailey.
“She worked to tie her broad scope of knowledge to my own interests to help me grow and expand upon my research skills,” says Malkan. “She mentors numerous students across various majors, but I can see from her leadership and mentorship, we are all connected and support one another well.”
Bailey fosters community with her graduate students through weekly check-ins and time to connect off campus. In addition, Bailey encourages interdisciplinary collaboration among her students. Nirav Patel, an assistant teaching professor in environmental studies, notes that despite Bailey’s large advising cohort, she continues to deliver personalized mentorship with a commitment to growth and diversity.
“Whether it is helping students connect to resources, advocating for necessary accommodations, or just listening with empathy, Dr. Bailey ensures that every student feels supported and valued. She’s not just an advisor—she’s a guide, an advocate, and a source of unwavering support,” said Patel.
Max Boykoff, chair and professor of the Environmental Studies department and fellow of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), echoed that sentiment:
“Put simply, she is an amazing graduate student mentor who consistently has a learning and growth mindset as she seeks to continue to improve how she supports and guides students through and beyond their studies here at CU Boulder,” said Boykoff.
For students in search of an exceptional mentor like Bailey, she advises the following steps:
- Reflect on your key needs. What challenges do you face? How do you like to communicate?
- Ask questions of a potential mentor (and their students) to identify if they’d be a good fit.
- Recognize that you may need more than one mentor. Seek out others who can support you where your primary mentor cannot.
Learn more about Bailey’s research: