Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award

The Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award, presented by the Office of Graduate Studies, was created to recognize individual faculty who place high values on and excel in mentoring graduate students. Recipients must have an established record of teaching excellence at the graduate level and mentoring students who have received their degrees. They also should excel at attracting graduate students to study at UNO through recruitment efforts and a visible and respected academic reputation in their area of expertise.

Abby Bjornsen-Ramig, Ph.D. Department of Counseling College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences

Dr. Abby Bjornsen-Ramig, a faculty member in the Department of Counseling, has been recognized with the Outstanding Graduate Mentor Award. This award highlights her commitment to teaching excellence, mentorships, and outstanding contributions to the academic and professional growth of her students. Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig has an engaging and dynamic teaching style and incorporates a wide variety of methods in her instruction, making learning both challenging and enjoyable. Students frequently praise her ability to make complex topics accessible, and her dedication to creating an interactive and supportive classroom environment.

In addition to teaching, Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig serves as the Clinical Training Director for the Department of Counseling. She oversees practicum placements, manages the operations of the UNO Counseling Clinic, and provides invaluable mentorships to students preparing for their clinical careers. The depth of her responsibilities in this role demonstrates her dedication to ensuring that students not only receive high-quality clinical experiences but also the mentorship needed to thrive in their training.

Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig’s mentorships are also evident in her collaborative work with students on research and publications. She has co-authored multiple publications and presentations with her students, providing them with critical experience in academic scholarship. In addition to her scholarly work, Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig has served as the chair of two master’s committees and contributed to nine others (six master’s and three doctoral committees). These collaborations not only showcase her dedication to student success but also her ability to mentor students through complex research projects.

To encourage students entering into the field of counseling, Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig facilitates students in establishing and socializing as both professionals and scholars. She has mentored numerous students in honing their professional presentation skills and developing niche areas of clinical knowledge through presenting at the UNO Annual Student Research and Creative Activity Fair. Additionally, She serves as a mentor to graduate counseling students through the Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (BHECN) Mentoring Program, guiding students in their areas of interest, as well as boosting their professional connections. She also serves as the principal Investigator on a $500,000 multi-year recruitment grant titled “Counselor Training and Recruitment,” which aims to expand and enhance the training of future counselors.

Through these initiatives, Dr. Bjornsen-Ramig has played a pivotal role in strengthening the counseling program at UNO.

Nomination Information

Review the detailed nomination criteria and download the nomination form

Nomination deadline: March 1

Previous Award Winners

View the full list of award recipients