Kristina Cowan

As behavioral science researchers, trauma related to emotional abuse and neglect is a common subject of study. The psychological effects of harmful words, constant negative criticism and derogatory treatment is a type of strain on human relationships that can have devastating consequences. Likewise, the communication a student has with their professor in an academic setting can play a significant role in that student’s life. Professors can have impact on a student’s career, for better, or for worse. Professors often become mentors to their students and especially at the graduate student level a partnership in academia is developed. Students are expected to struggle on this journey as graduate level work is rigorous. Several factors impact students and professors in their professional development, and eventual success in academia. We will look at what are determinates for student success in these programs and how can their frequency be increased. This writer would like to propose that the strength of the mentorship between student and professor will have an impact on future student’s performance in school. Professors at Boise State University and many other universities, often ask their students to complete course evaluations at the end of the semester or upon course completion. Do professors with a history of good course evaluations indicate a likelihood to produce more successful students?