Brianne Gutmann receives special recognition in Grad College Leadership Award selection

Illinois Physics graduate student Brianne Gutmann is one of two graduate students to receive special recognition in the Illinois Graduate College's fifth annual Graduate Student Leadership Award selection process. Gutmann is recognized for creating and leading the Illinois GPS physics mentoring program, including her work in diversity and creating LGBTQ+ spaces in Physics, and her work with the national Access Network for mentoring programs. Illinois Chemistry graduate student Elizabeth Neumann won the prize this year; and Illinois Anthropology graduate student Katharine Lee also received special recognition.

Gutmann was recently featured in an Illinois Physics Condensate article highlighting her experience in the physics education research group and her community-building efforts in the Department of Physics.

Graduate College Dean Wojtek Chodzko-Zajko notes, “The nominee pool in this year’s competition was truly extraordinary. The graduate students who were nominated exhibit some of the most admirable qualities found in the very best scholars and scientists. They are passionate, persistent, and highly motivated. These characteristics lead them to become engaged in public service for the good of our campus and the community.  We are proud of all of the applicants and, in particular, we congratulate Elizabeth for her dedication, courage, and commitment.”

The Graduate Student Leadership Award is sponsored by The Graduate College and its student advisory group, SAGE (Students Advising on Graduate Education). First awarded in 2015, the award was created to recognize graduate students who have exhibited outstanding service that has positively impacted the campus or wider Urbana-Champaign community.

For more information about the Graduate Student Leadership Award, visit the Graduate College website at https://grad.illinois.edu/current/student-leadership-award.

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