Debra Monroe named Outstanding Mentor by Conference of Southern Graduate Schools

Debra Monroe, a professor in the Department of English at Texas State University, has received the 2019-2020 Conference of Southern Graduate Schools (CSGS) Outstanding Mentor Award.

This award acknowledges and honors a person who has enjoyed outstanding success in mentoring graduate students in the Southern Region.

Monroe, who was also the recipient of the Graduate College Outstanding Mentor Award for 2019-2020 at Texas State, was nominated for her outstanding work with graduate students in the MFA in Creative Writing program. The nominating committee recognized her efforts to work closely with both students and alumni and help them publish their creative works as award-winning books and stories in high-profile venues. Under her mentorship, Monroe’s students have published a total of 27 books. She actively encourages students to publish work authored for her creative writing classes, providing the necessary structure and support which allow students to submit their class projects for publication. In the past two years alone, this approach has resulted in 32 publications by her students.

Through her efforts, Monroe has greatly enhanced the academic and professional pursuits of her students while also attracting top-quality applicants to the creative writing program at Texas State. 

The CSGS is an organization of more than 200 graduate schools in 15 states of the southern region of the United States. The CSGS’ purpose is to consider topics relating to graduate study and research which are of mutual interest and concern to the member institutions. In addition, dissemination of information, promotion of standards, encouragement of research and assistance to institutions starting graduate programs are important functions of the organization.