Carrie Durward

Dr. Carrie M. Durward empowers undergraduate students to see themselves as capable researchers and professionals. In her 11 years at USU, she has mentored 36 undergraduates, intentionally creating supportive research experiences that promote student ownership, critical thinking, and growth. In one of her mentee’s words, “She created space for me to take initiative…[to] learn through the struggle, while providing support and instruction to take me further than where I could go by myself.”

Dr. Durward prioritizes paid undergraduate roles to make mentorship and meaningful scholarship accessible to students balancing work, family, and school. Her mentoring style combines high expectations with genuine care. She helps match opportunities to students’ interests and goals, and advocates for their entry into professional circles through presentations, publications, and community education. Students gain scientific literacy through hands-on research and learn to become critical consumers of scientific information.

Most importantly, students describe her mentorship as transformative. Her students do not just complete projects; they find purpose, carrying forward a commitment to community impact, sustainability, and service wherever they go. As one mentee shared, Dr. Durward’s mentoring “inspires others to make their own, powerful impact for good,” and that impact continues long after graduation.