Photo by Pathik Shah

Admirers say Keith Hollingsworth, professor of mechanical engineering and recipient of the Faculty Award for Mentoring Undergraduate Research, is distinguished by his belief in “building a person.”

Noting that he was a chief architect for the creation of a NASA-UH mentoring experience for engineering students, Matt Franchek, chairman of the Cullen College of Engineering mechanical engineering department, said Hollingsworth stands apart as a teacher and mentor because he uses a “student-centric approach” when transferring the excitement of research discoveries.

“Keith has invented a unique way to empower students with self-learning by fully and accurately conveying technical material,” Franchek said. “He has wisely shifted the onus of a student’s progress back to them, thus producing a more mature student.”

Franchek’s sentiments are underscored by Sandra Geffert-Moore, for whom Hollingsworth acted as an honors thesis adviser.

“Both in the classroom and in person, he is a dynamic communicator,” she said. “He possesses the gift of being able to make complex subjects understandable. He is kind, humble and loves to share his extensive knowledge with his students.”

The $5,000 award honors the practice of mentoring undergraduate research and scholarship.

Angela Hopp
Staff writer

View full list of 2009 award recipients                          Past award recipients