Dr. Christoph's video acceptance speech (Twitter)
Previous Faculty Mentor Award winners

MANSFIELD, Mass. (May 29, 2020) – Franklin Pierce University’s Dr. Laura Christoph, an associate professor in the institution’s Health Sciences department, has been selected as this year’s recipient of the Northeast-10 Conference’s Dr. Dave Landers Faculty Mentor Award, as announced on Thursday afternoon by the Conference office. The award is one of five major, year-end awards announced by the NE10 this week.

Instituted in 2017, the award is named after Dr. Dave Landers, longtime Faculty Athletic Representative at fellow NE10 member Saint Michael’s College. The recipient is chosen annually by a committee made up of Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) members from NE10 institutions, and the selection is based on the faculty member’s support of the student-athlete experience.

Dr. Christoph is just the fourth-ever recipient of the NE10 Faculty Mentor Award. Her selection marks the first time the winner has come from a school other than Saint Michael’s.

“I am so humbled and honored to learn that I’m the recipient of the Dave Landers Faculty Mentor Award this year,” said Dr. Christoph in a video acceptance speech to the NE10. “As a former student-athlete, as well as a two-year graduate assistant myself in athletics, I really respect student-athletes for the work they put both into the classroom and the dedication they have on the field… I feel really privileged to have the opportunity to work on both those fronts with all of [Franklin Pierce’s student-athletes].”

With her expertise in nutrition, sleep, performance and community health education, Dr. Christoph brings a unique viewpoint to Franklin Pierce’s health science endeavors. She has held numerous workshops in these areas to benefit the student body, including “The Science of Sleep”, which explored the latest research on how sleep affects bodies and minds.

A rower at the University of Massachusetts during her undergraduate days, Dr. Christoph is also attuned to the student-athlete experience. Since arriving in Rindge in 2016, she has helped student-athletes develop the time management skills necessary to balance the twin responsibilities of academic and athletic excellence. Dr. Christoph has also pursued initiatives to promote student-athlete welfare, including nutrition education.

“In a time where wellness and mental health are finally being emphasized and spoken about, Dr. Christoph provides that foundation for our student-athletes,” said Jeanette McKillop, Associate Athletic Director for Compliance and Senior Woman Administrator. “Her passion and service to our student-athletes is unmatched; she manages to support all our athletic teams, while also being a full-time faculty member, who is very active at the University. With her selflessness and passion for education, Dr. Christoph provides excellent leadership to all of our student-athletes within the NCAA Division II model of ‘Life in the Balance’.”

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