Ransom Earns 2025 SU Outstanding Research Mentor Award
By SU Public Relations
SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Tami Ransom, associate professor of environmental studies, has earned ÃÛÌÒav's 2025 Outstanding Research Mentor Award.
Presented at the 23rd SU Student Research Conference (SUSRC), the honor celebrates faculty who are excellent supervisors of student research or creative work.
She was nominated by Drs. Jill Caviglia-Harris (Economics and Environmental Studies), Shane Hall (Environmental Studies), Michael Lewis (Environmental Studies), Fulbert Namwamba (Geography and Environmental Studies) and Dana Price (Biological Sciences).
During the past six years, Ransom has mentored 31 undergraduate students in direct field research. Those students have produced 17 co-authored posters for presentation. She also works directly with students on research papers, co-authoring five over the past six years.
“This is a phenomenal record of research mentorship, and reflects her commitment to continuing to work with her students long after their actual directed research course is over – in many cases, extending to working with students after they have graduated and left ÃÛÌÒav,” read her nomination letter.
Ransom also served as co-chair to four Master of Science students for their theses during this period.
“When a faculty member reaches the point where their teaching and research and community service (in this case, gathering and disseminating knowledge of local biodiversity and conservation) are so interwoven that they cannot be easily pulled apart, you know that they have become a master teacher, and an ideal faculty member at a school that aspires to be student-focused, research-active and community-engaged,” said her nominators.
Her work in the classroom also has focused on research, with classes including environmental studies research methods and senior seminar, which concentrate on writing and presenting a qualitative research paper, and community research projects.
She has left a lasting impact on those students she has worked with, including Karsin Bachran, who is now a biology instructor at Wor-Wic Community College.
“Dr. Ransom took the time to understand my academic interests and career aspirations, offering guidance that extended far beyond the classroom,” she said. “It is rare to encounter a professor who is so dedicated to the success of their students, and I am deeply grateful for the ways in which Dr. Ransom helped shape my path.”
Learn more about SU and opportunities to Make Tomorrow Yours at www.salisbury.edu.