Advisor of the Year 2013
Paul Heideman is the Boles-Ash Distinguished Professor of Biology. He was nominated for this award by his advisees. Students cited his patience, kindness and the ability to guide students to both academic and personal success.
Professor Heideman joined the faculty at William and Mary in 1994. He received his B.A. from Central College and his Master's and Ph.D. from the University of Michigan. His research areas of interest include Ecological and evolutionary physiology: variation of neuroendocrine pathways; environmental regulation of reproduction in mammals; seasonal rhythms. He also served as the chair of the Biology Department from 2004 to 2009. The original Biology Student Handbook penned by Professor Heideman has been a great resource for undergraduates in planning for courses and careers in the life sciences and complimentary disciplines.
"Faculty advising made an immense difference to me as a college student, and I want to give that back to my students. We all come to college with hopes, fears, insecurities, dreams, and great potential, and these four years are a pivotal time to learn and grow. Advisors play a unique role in the process – a neutral but concerned mentor. I want to know my advisees well enough to suggest career directions, give coaching on becoming a skilled learner, pose challenging questions, suggest alternatives, and help them learn to make wise decisions. The nuts and bolts of course choices and extracurriculars matter, and those decisions suggest so many other things about an advisee. I love the “aha!” moments when an advisee suddenly has a great new insight."
