Senior Lecturer Kim Cuny has received the 2025 UNCG Thomas Undergraduate Research Mentor Award in the professional track category. The communication scholar, who examines storytelling and disability activism, has mentored many undergraduates through coursework, independent studies, and internships. She develops strong relationships with each of her students to help them succeed, and her students say her pedagogical approach empowers them to take risks.
Cuny works to challenge her students and individualize each of her undergraduate mentees’ research paths. She works closely with Peacehaven Community Farm, where she gives students the opportunity to work in disability activism.
Cuny’s students emphasize how she continuously encourages them to pursue publication opportunities and assists them with all parts of the process. Her mentees have given 18 conference presentations and produced 24 publications, in outlets including the Communication Center Journal, the national leader for communication center research.
Cuny also received the University Teaching and Learning Commons’ 2021 Anna Maria Grove Award for Teaching Excellence and the 2018 College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Award.
Story by Nikkola Brown
Photos by Sean Norona
