HUGHES RECEIVES NATIONAL MENTORING AWARD

Rhonda J. Hughes, Helen Hermann Professor of Mathematics, received the 2004 Lifetime Mentor Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the world's largest general scientific organization. The award was presented Feb.19 at the 171st annual meeting of AAAS in Washington, D.C.

This national award recognizes Hughes' efforts to help underrepresented students earn advanced degrees in the sciences. She has helped 57 women and minority students earn graduate degrees in mathematics, including 17 at the doctoral level. Hughes' passion for math education helps account for an unusually high number of math majors at Bryn Mawr —12 percent of undergraduates, versus the national average of 1 percent.

"We nominated Professor Hughes because of her efforts to support women in attaining the highest levels of achievement of which they are capable in the sciences, math and technology. This is one of the most pressing issues in higher education today," said Ralph Kuncl, provost at Bryn Mawr College.

In December 2004, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation awarded Hughes a $170,000 grant to support a project titled "Enhancing Diversity in Graduate Education: A Transition Program for Women in the Mathematical Sciences." This program enrolls newly accepted Ph.D. students in mathematics in a summer "boot camp" experience that mentors them and enhances their ability to achieve at their greatest potential in later doctoral studies and in their future careers. The program also provides a support network and mentoring program that remains available to participants as they move on to graduate study.

A native of Chicago, Hughes earned her B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago. She taught at Tufts University and was a Fellow at the Bunting Institute of Radcliffe College before joining the faculty of Bryn Mawr College in 1980. She was named full professor and chair of the mathematics department in 1988. Her endowed professorship began in 1993. A past president of the Association for Women in Mathematics, Hughes is widely published in academic journals and is a frequent guest lecturer for professional and academic organizations.

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