FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Stephanie Hubert, an instructor in apparel merchandising and product development, has been named the Outstanding Honors Faculty Mentor for 2017 in the U of A's Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences.

Hubert was chosen by the Bumpers College Honors Student Board following nominations by honors students.

Hubert teaches in the college's School of Human Environmental Sciences. She mentored three students to apparel merchandising and product development degree completion last year and graduated her first honors students last spring.

"I would like to thank the Bumpers College Honors Student Board for this recognition," said Hubert. "I am fortunate to have the opportunity to invest in and learn with these outstanding students."

Nominations from students included the following: "Ms. Hubert is an incredible mentor, professor and advisor. She is truly everything that a professor should be; she is always working long hours for the benefit of her students. In my time at the university, I have never had a professor like Ms. Hubert, and she is truly the reason why I love the University of Arkansas. She takes so much of her own time to improve education and opportunities for her students, and I am incredibly thankful for having the chance to learn from her. I cannot think of anyone more deserving of the 'Outstanding Mentor' award."

Another student wrote: "Ms. Hubert was the only faculty member who could convince me to join the honors program in the first place because she saw my potential and always encouraged me and pushed me to fulfill it. She was integral to the ideation of my honors project and fleshing it out to completion. Ms. Hubert is the reason I am graduating with honors and an amazing research experience." 

Hubert received a plaque and $1,500 to be used for honors program efforts.

Jennie Popp, a professor of agricultural economics and agribusiness before becoming associate dean of the Honors College, was the inaugural winner in 2016.

About the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences: Bumpers College provides life-changing opportunities to position and prepare graduates who will be leaders in the businesses associated with foods, family, the environment, agriculture, sustainability and human quality of life; and who will be first-choice candidates of employers looking for leaders, innovators, policy makers and entrepreneurs. The college is named for Dale Bumpers, former Arkansas governor and longtime U.S. senator who made the state prominent in national and international agriculture.

About the University of Arkansas: The University of Arkansas provides an internationally competitive education for undergraduate and graduate students in more than 200 academic programs. The university contributes new knowledge, economic development, basic and applied research, and creative activity while also providing service to academic and professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the University of Arkansas among only 2 percent of universities in America that have the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the University of Arkansas among its top American public research universities. Founded in 1871, the University of Arkansas comprises 10 colleges and schools and maintains a low student-to-faculty ratio that promotes personal attention and close mentoring.