Dr. Terry Xu, Professor and Associate Chair for Graduate Programs, Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science, was selected to receive this year’s Thomas L. Reynolds Leadership Award for her leadership in maintaining a thriving graduate program during a tumultuous period.
Dr. Xu is credited with maintaining consistency and high academic standards and transparency in Ph.D. qualifying exams, creating “a rigorous and supportive educational environment,” according to her nominator, Dr. Harish P. Cherukuri, Professor and Chair, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Engineering Science.
“The role of Graduate Program Director is vital to ensuring high-quality programs with an environment that enables students to thrive,” said Pinku Mukherjee, Interim Associate Provost and Dean of the Graduate School. “They often work behind the scenes and may take on the role in addition to their faculty responsibilities. Dr. Xu meets – and exceeds – those expectations.”
Dr. Xu’s research focuses on the synthesis and characterization of low-dimensional nanostructures, mechanical property study of low-dimensional nanostructures and functional nanocomposites. She received her Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Northwestern University, M.Phil. in Mechanical Engineering from Hong Kong University of Science & Technology, and her B.Eng. in Materials Science & Engineering from Shanghai University, P.R. China.
“Dr. Xu’s dedication to the individual success of every graduate student is unparalleled,” Cherukuri said. “She meets with students one-on-one and mentors each one to ensure their academic and professional needs are met. This personalized approach has been crucial in fostering a supportive and enriching environment for our students.”
The award comes with $1,000, an engraved plaque and the recipient’s name engraved on a perpetual trophy on display in the Graduate School.
In addition to the Reynolds Leadership Award, the Graduate School recognized two partners for their excellence in graduate program administration: Dr. Adam Myers, Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Middle, Secondary, and K-12 Education, Cato College of Education, and Vidya Prabhakar, Associate Director of MBA Programs Planning and Operations, Belk College of Business.
Myers was nominated for his efforts to encourage students to continue their education by completing their M.A.T. degrees, resulting in a steady increase in enrollment year-over-year. Prabhakar led an effort to increase enrollment and retention, leveraging technology to meet and advise students during the pandemic in the Charlotte MBA program.
These awards recognize excellence in graduate programs. Nominations for the 2025 awards will open in January.